Week 7: 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 7, plus our pick for the state game of the week.
Sumner Spartans (5-1) at Curtis Vikings (4-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at Curtis High School
After needing to escape with a win against valley rival Puyallup, Sumner bounced back with a 56-8 blowout of the Rogers Rams last week. Curtis, meanwhile, was blanked by Emerald Ridge in a 7-0 loss. In its two losses this season, Curtis has mustered just 10 points, struggling to get the ball to playmakers Parker Mady and Xavier Ahrens. Things get even harder this week for Curtis’ young quarterbacks against one of the state’s premier defenses. Curtis’ defense is playing at a high level and will need to generate a few turnovers to make things interesting.
TNT pick: Sumner 21, Curtis 7
Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (4-2) at Olympia Bears (5-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at Ingersoll Stadium
Graham-Kapowsin’s 14-year-old freshman QB AJ Tuivaiave has arrived. The Division-I recruit’s last two games? 48-for-63, 779 yards, 10 touchdowns, and no interceptions over stout Yelm and Bethel defenses. Now, the 4A SPSL gauntlet continues. Tuivaiave and the high-flying Eagles visit Ingersoll stadium on a four-game win streak, where we expect the 6-3 signal-caller’s arm to again be on display. Graham-Kapowsin WR Kase Betz has been Tuivaive’s favorite target of late, securing 13 receptions for 265 yards and four touchdowns in two contests this month. Olympia’s potent offense slowed last weekend when QB Cameron Downing exited with a first-quarter injury, resulting in a 34-29 loss to Spanaway Lake -- the Bears’ first loss this season. If Downing can return Friday night, one of the South Sound’s leading passers should make things interesting.
TNT pick: Graham-Kapowsin 31, Olympia 17
Bellarmine Prep Lions (5-1) at Lincoln Abes (4-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at Lincoln Bowl
Make it three straight wins for the Abes after dominating rival-Silas last weekend on the road, 55-0, powered by QB Sione Kaho’s 313-yard, three-touchdown performance. The dual-threat Kaho generates headlines, but RB Jadeon Scranton more than changes the pace as Lincoln’s downhill, tough-to-tackle power back (6.3 YPC, 6 TD). Can the duo get loose at Lincoln Bowl? The Abes control their destiny in the 3A PSL Narrows with Bellarmine Prep and Central Kitsap left on the calendar, but it won’t be a walk in the park when the Lions (5-1) travel across town Friday night. Bellarmine Prep surrendered 219 rushing yards to Mount Tahoma last weekend; Lincoln may craft a similar game plan. Expect a healthy dose of Scranton with the occasional splash play.
TNT pick: Lincoln 31, Bellarmine Prep 21
Yelm Tornados (5-1) at Bethel Braves (3-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at Art Crate Field
Expect some big hits on Friday night at Art Crate. This will be a matchup of two of the more physical teams in the area. Bethel, led by UW commit Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, the state’s No. 1 recruit, is coming off a strong performance in a near-upset of rival Graham-Kapowsin. After a loss to G-K at home, Yelm bounced back with a 44-7 win over Bonney Lake last week. There’s a chance Yelm’s bruising running back Nathan Ford could return to action this week after being sidelined with an injury he suffered in a non-league game against Lincoln earlier this season. That would be a big boost for the Tornados’ run game.
TNT pick: Yelm 21, Bethel 17
Franklin Pierce Cardinals (6-0) at Fife Trojans (4-2)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Fife High School
One of the more-pleasant surprises of the South Sound football season: Franklin Pierce can’t stop, won’t stop rolling. The Cardinals already routed 2A SPSL contenders Orting and Eatonville, now an undefeated 6-0 by combined scores of 302-35. That’s right -- Franklin Pierce is allowing just 5.8 points, or less than a single touchdown, per game. Now, their toughest remaining test looms at Fife on Thursday night. Expect a run-heavy script as both programs lean on the ground game more than most. Franklin Pierce RBs Bryson Allen (806 YDS, 10 TD) and Junior Teregeyo (575 YDS, 7 TD) are averaging more than 10 yards per carry, and Cardinals QB Jeremiah Orcutt’s rushing totals nearly match his passing numbers (298 pass yards, 287 rush yards). We’re excited to see what Cary Nagel’s Power-T offense musters against a Fife defense averaging just 13 PPG, but we think Franklin Pierce extends their win streak to seven.
TNT pick: Franklin Pierce 38, Fife 17
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
Archbishop Murphy Wildcats (6-0) at Lynden Lions (5-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at Lynden High School
Fresh off an upset of top-ranked defending 2A state champion Anacortes, Archbishop Murphy will look to keep the momentum rolling on the road against Lynden this week. Archbishop Murphy’s win last week dealt Anacortes its first loss since the 2022 season. Archbishop Murphy scored twice on defense in the win and at one point, led 24-7. Lynden lost to Anacortes by two touchdowns earlier this season before bouncing back with a pair of close wins against Sehome and Squalicum. There’s always concern about an emotional hangover, but there should still be plenty of motivation for the Wildcats.
TNT pick: Archbishop Murphy 23, Lynden 19
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Gig Harbor Tides (3-3) at Mount Tahoma T-Birds (2-4)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at Mount Tahoma Stadium
River Ridge Hawks (4-2) at Peninsula Seahawks (2-4)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Roy Anderson Field
Stadium Tigers (5-1) at Kennedy Catholic Lancers (6-0)
12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at Highline Memorial Stadium
This story was originally published October 16, 2024 at 11:46 AM.
