Week 9: 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 9, plus our pick for the state game of the week.
Lakes Lancers (8-0) vs. Mount Tahoma T-Birds (8-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Mount Tahoma Stadium
Mount Tahoma’s dream season rolls into the 3A Puget Sound League Championship with Lakes, a heavyweight bout between unbeatens. Tacoma’s best team has no true weakness: a legitimate state title contender with three productive running backs, standout perimeter talent, and nasty line play — but a T-Birds win likely stems from its defense powered by LB Shan Jones and DB Elijah Durr. Can Lakes score early and often enough for a signature win on the road? Lancers freshman QB Jadis Lefono has exceeded expectations this fall, a 6-foot-1 dual-threat with poise and confidence beyond his years. He’ll need to generate a handful of splash plays with WRs Ean Owens and Tristan Baker to pave lanes for RB Toetu Moliga with this T-Birds defense lurking. Friday night’s league championship presents a rematch from Mount Tahoma’s Week 9 win at Harry Lang Stadium last fall, a 40-37 overtime thriller. Both programs are deserving PSL champions, but we’ll take Mount Tahoma to fend off their Lakewood rivals.
TNT pick: Mount Tahoma 30, Lakes 21
White River Hornets (8-0) vs. Enumclaw Hornets (8-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Pete’s Pool
Who would’ve guessed before the season that this year’s Battle of the Bridge would be a matchup of unbeatens? Enumclaw was the league favorite but White River has been one of the area’s best stories this year with the play of confident QB Chaz Strickland (1,938 passing yards, 30 TDs). He’ll look often to No. 1 wideout Parker Fry (706 yards, 13 TDs). Enumclaw’s defense should be up to the task of slowing them down and the Hornets are balanced on offense. Both Cole Chiechi (613 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and sophomore Paxton Patterson (511 yards, 8 TDs) are capable backs, while Kolt Kuzaro (386 receiving yards, 5 TDs) and Kage Kuro (342 yards, 6 TDs) have been the favorite targets of senior QB Gavin Trachte (1,317 yards, 16 TDs). We’re expecting a high-emotion, physical rivalry game.
TNT pick: Enumclaw 21, White River 14
Cascade Christian Cougars (8-0) vs. Life Christian Eagles (4-4)
7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at Harry Lang Stadium
Cascade Christian’s future is bright, and this fall was proof. The Cougars are undefeated with freshman QB Cordae Norling (21 TD, 6 INT), junior two-way star Tayven Collins, and sophomore RB Donovan Walson (54-641-8). A rout of Annie Wright, 42-6, in Week 7 was the program’s true statement — but another Tacoma contender awaits Saturday’s 1A Nisqually Championship between Cascade Christian and Life Christian Academy. Keep an eye on Collins regardless of whether he’s catching passes (7 Rec TD), throwing them (4 Pass TD), or intercepting opponents on defense (4 INT). Life Christian QB Jabez Boyd is a full-go this Saturday, one of the area’s top dual threats with a four-game win streak over in-state opponents. We think Cascade Christian does enough to win their second 1A Nisqually title in three years.
TNT pick: Cascade Christian 31, Life Christian 23
Fife Trojans (4-4) vs. Steilacoom Sentinels (6-2)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 at Steilacoom High School
It wasn’t without drama, but Steilacoom fought its way to a 41-31 win over Eatonville last week, while Fife raced past Foss. Keep an eye on Fife RB Slavik Shemedyuk, who has been a playmaker all season for the Trojans. Steilacoom will take the opposite approach to Fife’s run-heavy offense, airing the ball out with junior QB Titus Kaeka (1,900 yards, 17 TDs). His top target has been Jaleo Johnson (902 yards, 10 TDs), who is averaging 113 receiving yards per game. Fife’s best bet will be controlling time of possession, but we like Steilacoom’s explosive offense to put up points.
TNT pick: Steilacoom 35, Fife 27
Stadium Tigers (6-2) vs. Tahoma Bears (5-3)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 at Tahoma High School
It’s a battle for third place in the 4A NPSL when Stadium visits Tahoma in Maple Valley. Star Tigers RB Darius Sum was injured in Week 6 but returned for a Week 9 win over Auburn Riverside on Senior Night — a game-changer if he suits up Thursday night. He’s officially questionable, though both Stadium and Tahoma have already clinched district playoff berths. A matchup we’re looking for: Can Stadium DE Cruz Nolan, the state’s sack leader (13.5), disrupt Tahoma dual-threat QB Brady Bonnell and the Bears offense? Tahoma won this matchup last year, 17-15. We’re expecting another nailbiter.
TNT pick: Tahoma 21, Stadium 20
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
Puyallup Vikings (8-0) vs. Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (8-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Art Crate Field
It’s a top-five showdown in the 4A SPSL championship game at Art Crate on Friday night, pitting two unbeatens against each other. Outside of a close game against Tumwater in Week 1, Puyallup has torched everyone in its path, including a blowout win over defending 4A state champion Sumner in early October. Junior QB Noah Smith (1,059 yards, 19 TDs in four games) is averaging 265 yards per game through the air. Graham-Kapowsin, meanwhile, has played in tighter games this season but could be getting healthy at the right time. Eagles’ coach Jeff Logan wouldn’t confirm QB AJ Tuivaiave’s availability for Friday’s game, but the star sophomore QB could return this week after missing the past two weeks with injury. Defensively, Graham-Kapowsin has the talent to match up on the outside with defensive backs Jayce Halasz and Maurice Williams, but until someone slows down the Vikings, it’s tough to pick against them.
TNT pick: Puyallup 38, Graham-Kapowsin 28
This story was originally published October 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM.
