Week 14: Previews, predictions for high school state football championships in South Sound
Read team previews and score predictions for Washington state tournament championship games involving South Sound teams.
LOCAL GAMES
CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Camas Papermakers (13-0) vs. No. 2 Sumner Spartans (12-1)
7 p.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium (Seattle)
After trailing by 14 at half, Sumner came back with a thrilling win over Chiawana in triple overtime last week to advance to the 4A state championship game. It’s the first state championship game for Keith Ross, who has been Sumner’s coach for over two decades. Sumner has one of the state’s best defenses and will be tested against a balanced offense that doesn’t make many mistakes. Camas QB Jake Davidson has thrown 50 touchdowns to just six interceptions this season. His No. 1 target is Chase McGee, who had a big game last week against Gonzaga Prep. Camas also had to come from behind, trailing for most of the game before outscoring Gonzaga Prep 21-0 in the final quarter of last week’s semifinal game. Sumner kicker Austin Ferencz drilled three 40+ yard field goals in last week’s win over Chiawana — a luxury to have at the high school level. Could his leg be the difference in a tight game at Husky Stadium? It just feels like Sumner has a “team of destiny” vibe going this year. Spartans’ TE Carter Cocke talked before the season about planning to get Ross a state championship ring. We’ll take him at his word.
TNT pick: Sumner 24, Camas 21
CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Tumwater T-Birds (13-0) vs. No. 2 Anacortes Seahawks (12-1)
3 p.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium (Seattle)
Tumwater’s one-year wait for their chance at revenge is over. Every piece fell into place and the top-ranked T-Birds will again meet No. 2 Anacortes, the defending champion, in Saturday’s 2A state championship at Husky Stadium. Willie Garrow’s T-Birds turned last year’s 60-30 loss to these Seahawks into fuel and they haven’t lost since, rolling to their perfect 13-0 record with more wins than touchdowns allowed. The Wing-T offense is a well-oiled machine, but a retooled Tumwater defense with changes in schematics and personnel could be the difference in this intriguing rematch. DL Malijah Tucker has been a force in front of the game-changing linebacking duo of Beckett Wall and Cash Short. And just how unstoppable is that run game? Tumwater’s season rushing totals: 456 carries, 4,208 yards (9.2 YPC), and 77 rushing touchdowns in 13 games, averaging nearly 324 yards per contest on the ground. Anacortes returns plenty of last year’s title-winning playmakers, too, including brothers Brock and Brady Beaner – both Montana commits – but we think Tumwater does enough to take the trophy home this go-around. Just don’t expect another shutout.
TNT pick: Tumwater 38, Anacortes 28
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
4A CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Camas Papermakers (13-0) vs. No. 2 Sumner Spartans (12-1)
7 p.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium (Seattle)
TNT pick: Sumner 24, Camas 21
3A CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Bellevue Wolverines (12-0) vs. No. 2 O’Dea Fighting Irish (12-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Husky Stadium (Seattle)
TNT pick: No. 1 Bellevue 21, No. 2 O’Dea 14
2A CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Tumwater T-Birds (13-0) vs. No. 2 Anacortes Seahawks (12-1)
3 p.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium (Seattle)
TNT pick: Tumwater 38, Anacortes 28
1A CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Royal Knights (12-0) vs. No. 2 Seton Catholic Cougars (12-0)
3 p.m. Friday at Husky Stadium (Seattle)
TNT pick: Royal 42, Seton Catholic 28
2B CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Okanogan Bulldogs (13-0) vs. No. 3 Napavine Tigers (11-2)
11 a.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium (Seattle)
TNT pick: Okanogan 35, Napavine 31
1B CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 Liberty Christian Patriots (13-0) vs. No. 2 Wilbur-Creston-Keller Wildcats (13-0)
11 a.m. Friday at Husky Stadium (Seattle)
TNT pick: Wilbur-Creston-Keller 42, Liberty Christian 39
This story was originally published December 5, 2024 at 1:20 PM.
