Week 5: High school football games to watch in the South Sound, predictions
Read team previews and score predictions for five games across the South Sound in Week 5, plus our pick for the state game of the week.
Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (2-2) vs. Yelm Tornados (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Yelm High School
Planning on watching this one? We’d advise you to get there early. This is one of the most anticipated matchups in the South Sound this season. Graham-Kapowsin appeared in the 4A state championship game last year, while Yelm appeared in the 3A state championship game before moving up to the 4A SPSL this season. G-K lost close games to O’Dea and Skyview to start the season before bouncing back with wins over Emerald Ridge and Bonney Lake. The Eagles have weapons in the passing game with receivers Kase Betz and Khris Norris. The matchup to watch will be G-K’s young offensive line against a physical Yelm defensive line. We’d expect Yelm coach Jason Ronquillo to roll out a similar gameplan as the Tornados did against Lincoln, sending pressure and keeping Abes’ quarterback Sione Kaho off balance. Yelm quarterback Parker Myers (eight passing TDs, seven rushing TDs) is playing nearly flawless football, completing 82 percent of his passes. G-K’s defense will have to account for Myers’ playmaking ability with his legs. This one could go either way, but Yelm has been the more consistent team early this season, and we’ll take the Tornados at home.
TNT pick: Yelm 28, Graham-Kapowsin 24
Lincoln Abes (2-2) vs. Mount Tahoma T-Birds (1-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Mount Tahoma Stadium
Last September, Mount Tahoma recovered a last-gasp onside kick and rallied to stun their crosstown rivals for the first time since 2011. Who’s taking home bragging rights this year? We’re excited for the matchup between Lincoln QB Sione Kaho and Mount Tahoma’s national DB recruit in Elijah Durr, though both of these programs can win on the ground. Abes RB Jadeon Scranton ran over the Gig Harbor Tides last weekend (26-159-3) and T-Birds RB Felix Diaz is excelling as Mount Tahoma’s feature back, taking 19 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown in a Sept. 20 road win at 4A-Mount Si. Kaho’s arm already has netted the sophomore signal-caller a handful of Division-I offers, but Lincoln’s QB can certainly take off with the football, too, flashing his speed on a 35-yard run to draw first blood with Gig Harbor. Another factor – how three-star Lincoln LB Dre Sio-Fetaui attacks the T-Birds offense. Expect a packed house and spirited football at Mount Tahoma this weekend.
TNT pick: Lincoln 28, Mount Tahoma 21
Puyallup Vikings (1-3) at Sumner Spartans (3-1)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at Sunset Stadium
After a road loss to Oregon 6A power West Linn, Sumner bounced back with a 37-6 win over an improved South Kitsap team, in which the Spartans forced five turnovers. Keith Ross may have the state’s best defense this year, and the offense has put up points. Puyallup will have its hands full against Sumner’s four legitimate pass catching options in Braylon Pope, Pono Borden, Kainoa Grounds and Montana State tight end commit Carter Cocke. Cocke (illness) is slated to return after missing last week’s game. On the other sideline, nothing has gone right this season for Puyallup, which entered the season with high expectations. Puyallup is 1-3 and lost its 4A SPSL opener to Emerald Ridge last week, 29-19. Motivation shouldn’t be an issue for the Vikings in this valley rivalry, but it’ll be a tough ask to get things on track against a loaded Sumner squad.
TNT pick: Sumner 35, Puyallup 14
Eatonville Cruisers (4-0) at Franklin Pierce Cardinals (4-0)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at Franklin Pierce High School
There’s a new team to beat in the 2A SPSL after Franklin Pierce soared into Orting Cardinal Stadium and silenced the league’s presumptive favorite, 36-8, last Friday night. The rushing duo of RB Bryson Allen and RB Junior Teregeyo carved Orting for 343 scrimmage yards, and dual-threat QB Jeremiah Orcutt was perhaps more efficient on the ground (5-43-1) than through the air (2-76) as Franklin Pierce ran 53 rush plays to only three pass attempts. Can Eatonville bring down the Cardinals this weekend? The Cruisers are 2-0 since joining the 2A SPSL this fall, scoring 93 combined points on Clover Park and Foss. We think the Cardinals and their Power-T scheme keep the ground game rolling.
TNT pick: Franklin Pierce 34, Eatonville 17
Skyview Storm (3-1) vs. Decatur Golden Gators (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Federal Way Memorial Field
Skyview was blown out against Oregon 6A power West Linn last week, 45-0. The catch: the Storm were without starting QB Doogie Poindexter (high ankle sprain), forcing Boise State receiver commit Gavin Packer to move to quarterback. Poindexter is questionable for this week’s game against Decatur; the Storm will have to feature a lot of designed runs for Packer if he’s still out. Decatur remained undefeated with blowout wins over Thomas Jefferson and Kent-Meridian the last two weeks after early-season wins over Enumclaw and Federal Way. This will be the toughest test yet for the Gators.
TNT pick: Skyview 21, Decatur 14
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
Kennewick Lions (4-0) vs. Richland Bombers (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Fran Rish Stadium (Richland)
Something’s gotta give in this matchup of undefeated Mid-Columbia Conference teams. Both have won in blowouts in each of their first four games of the season. Kennewick won last year’s matchup in a 36-29 shootout. There’s another Woodard at Richland: sophomore Jackson Woodard, younger brother of star multi-sport athlete Joshua Woodard, is the quarterback for the high-flying Bombers this year. Three Richland receivers have over 200 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season. Kennewick may look to attack more on the ground with speedy running back Alex Roberts. We’ll take the Lions in a shootout.
TNT pick: Kennewick 42, Richland 35
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Orting Cardinals (3-1) at Steilacoom Sentinels (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Steilacoom High School
Spanaway Lake Sentinels (2-2) at Bethel Bison (2-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Art Crate Field
Stadium Tigers (3-1) at Kentwood Conquerors (1-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at French Field
South Kitsap Wolves (3-1) at Curtis Vikings (3-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Curtis High School
Tumwater T-Birds (4-1) at Union Titans (1-3)
4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at McKenzie Stadium
Auburn Trojans (3-1) at Kennedy Catholic Lancers (4-0)
1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Highline Memorial Stadium
This story was originally published October 2, 2024 at 12:13 PM.
