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.
Mount Tahoma T-Birds (4-0) vs. Lincoln Abes (2-2)
3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at Lincoln Bowl
It’s the game we’ve had circled on our calendars for months: Mount Tahoma at Lincoln for a historic rivalry between two of the city’s best teams. We like both program’s chances to return to the 3A state tournament, but Mount Tahoma has shined brightest this fall with three wins over 4A opponents — including a 49-22 drubbing at Camas, the defending 4A runner-up. It’s the most-complete roster T-Birds head coach Keith Terry has directed, with UW commit Elijah Durr on the perimeter, a diverse stable of running backs, and dual-threat QB Mikkah Cordero returning to run the show. A matchup we’re looking for: Lincoln RB Jadeon Scranton opposite T-Birds MLB Shan Jones, whose 48 tackles rank sixth in WA. Watch for T-Birds RB Naesirhc White, averaging 101 yards per game this fall (57-404-4). Four-star Lincoln QB Sione Kaho can keep the Abes in any game, but we think Mount Tahoma runs the ball well enough to author a signature win at Lincoln Bowl.
TNT pick: Mount Tahoma 28, Lincoln 21
Kennedy Catholic Lancers (2-2) vs. Auburn Trojans (2-2)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 at Auburn Memorial Stadium
Auburn head coach Aaron Chantler told us to expect plenty of points from his offense this fall, averaging 53.5 points per game through four weeks despite losses to Bellarmine Prep and Stadium. They’ll need another big night to knock off the 4A NPSL-favorite Lancers, which hasn’t lost a league game in nearly seven years (Oct. 2018). The return of Lancers edge rusher Derek Colman-Brusa, the state’s No. 1 recruit, from an early-season foot injury poses the question: How much time will the Trojans have to get the ball to top wideouts Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes and Christian Titialii? We think Kennedy Catholic does enough to keep their NPSL win streak rolling.
TNT pick: Kennedy Catholic 38, Auburn 27
Steilacoom Sentinels (4-0) vs. Orting Cardinals (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 at Cardinal Stadium
The new 2A SPSL frontrunners return home to Cardinal Stadium after knocking off Franklin Pierce on the road, 43-42, in an instant classic last weekend. Orting has already toppled two of their toughest contenders (Fife, Franklin Pierce), and a win over Steilacoom would keep the Cardinals in full control of their first league title since 2019. Orting QB Kyle Curtis was excellent last Friday night, throwing four touchdowns without an interception (14-of-20, 301 YDS), adding a 62-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter before directing a two-minute drill for the win at Franklin Pierce Stadium. Watch for the speedy Shiron Seniours, already with four receiving touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns this fall. Steilacoom QB Titus Kaeka has built an early rapport with WR Jaleo Johnson (22-420-6), but we like Orting’s chances in a battle of 2A SPSL unbeatens.
TNT pick: Orting 34, Steilacoom 24
Capital Cougars (2-2) vs. Timberline Blazers (3-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 at South Sound Stadium
Timberline has been one of the South Sound’s best surprises through four weeks of the season, posting a 3-1 record with a close win over 4A Woodinville and blowout wins over Washington and River Ridge. WR/LB Tonye Penn did a little bit of everything in last week’s win over Ridge, scoring four touchdowns — two receiving, a kickoff return for a score and a pick six interception. Capital will look to bounce back after a close loss to Peninsula. We think Timberline keeps things rolling.
TNT pick: Timberline 35, Capital 21
Life Christian Eagles (1-3) vs. Annie Wright Gators (4-0)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 at Stadium Bowl
It feels like Life Christian has dipped under the radar after a 1-3 start, but don’t let the record fool you — this is still a legitimate 1A contender. With Life Christian holding a lead against Nooksack Valley, star senior QB Jabez Boyd was ejected from the game early in the third quarter, ultimately ending in a loss. He didn’t play in the following week’s loss to Yelm. In his return in last week’s 54-0 win over East Jefferson, Boyd threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Annie Wright has been improved in the program’s second season under coach Mike Finch, who is also the school’s athletic director. Keep an eye on 6-foot-3, 280-pound DL Ta’a Malu, a UW commit. We think Life Christian stays in the win column after a tough start to the season.
TNT pick: Life Christian 35, Annie Wright 21
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
Sumner Spartans (2-2) vs. Puyallup Vikings (4-0)
7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at Sparks Stadium
It’s the biggest game of the season in the South Sound so far, a top five matchup between the reigning 4A state champion and a loaded Puyallup team that’s capable of winning it all. Sumner RB Lance McGee, an Oregon State commit, is averaging close to 200 yards per game (653 yards, seven TDs) on the ground, while WR Braylon Pope has gotten off to an explosive start to the season working with senior QB Nate Donovan. Puyallup is coming off a 54-0 win over district rival Emerald Ridge. Puyallup junior QB Noah Smith, a Central Kitsap transfer, is slated to make first start after sitting out the required first four games of the season after transferring. It won’t be a soft landing against Sumner’s defense, but Smith has a loaded offensive line, running backs room and plenty of skill position talent at his disposal. We’ll roll with the defending state champs, but we could see this one going either way.
TNT pick: Sumner 24, Puyallup 21
This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM.
