Week 3 prep football predictions, games to watch
SPSL SOUTH
Emerald Ridge (0-2) at No. 4 Graham-Kapowsin (2-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Art Crate Field, Spanaway
About the Jaguars: The storyline sets up just like last season — slow start in preseason, big league game against the Eagles right out of the gate. Yet even a less-experienced Emerald Ridge might be playing better than it did a year ago coming in, especially behind its passing game with savvy junior QB Logan Skoda (56-95, 585 yards, three total TDs, six INTs).
About the Eagles: Life after Foster Sarell (broken forearm) has been tough for Graham-Kapowsin. Coach Eric Kurle admitted there was plenty of miscommunication along the offensive line without the star offensive tackle around last week against Jefferson. Protecting QB Dylan Morris, a ninth-grader, is paramount — and Kurle will insert talented freshman Ethan Porter as the starting left guard.
TNT pick: Graham-Kapowsin, 16-14.
3A NARROWS
Capital (0-2) at No. 4 Lincoln (2-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma
About the Cougars: A rash of injuries, especially at quarterback to senior starter Cody Jenkins (finger), has prompted coach J.D. Johnson to make a big move. He will start ninth-grader Grant Erickson, who attempted one pass last week in a Spaghetti Bowl loss to Olympia. Erickson is 6-foot-6, and is a big-armed pocket passer who Johnson says has a bright future.
About the Abes: A big change under new coach Masaki Matsumoto has been better commitment to the run game. Offensive linemen have had to be instructed how to get in a three-point stance and focusing on first two steps out of the break. Well, it is coming along — the Abes are averaging 306 yards a game, led by RB Dionte Simon (41 rushes, 393 yards, four TDs).
TNT pick: Lincoln, 38-20.
2A SPSL
Franklin Pierce (0-2) at River Ridge (2-0)
7 p.m. Friday, South Sound Stadium, Lacey
About the Cardinals: Don’t let the 0-2 record fool you — their losses are to 3A SPSL contenders Sumner and Lakes. And Franklin Pierce has shown glimpses in both games in its new read-option offense, led by QB Willie Patterson (310 passing yards, four TDs; 114 rushing yards). The reigning league champs handed River Ridge its only regular-season loss last year, 16-14.
About the Hawks: They lost plenty of firepower from their league runner-up squad from a year ago, but coach Steve Schultz feels there is better balance on this team. QB Kobe Key (15-22, 217 yards, four TDs) is much more comfortable operating in the team’s power-running, play-action offense in his second season. RB Gustavo Diaz (50 rushes, 232 yards, three TDs) is a playmaker.
TNT pick: River Ridge, 27-21.
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 4 Connell (2-0) at No. 1 Royal (2-0)
7 p.m. Friday, David Nielsen Field, Royal City
The skinny: So how good is the South Central Athletic Conference in football? In the 15 Class 1A championship games since 2000, 12 of them have had SCAC teams involved. And half of the multiple state-title winners during that span play each other Friday night — Connell (2009, 2011) and Royal (2000, 2004-05, 2007). And this appears to be a season when both SCAC East powerhouses could make it back to the Tacoma Dome. “This rivalry is always competitive,” Royal coach Wiley Allred said. “And both communities are very similar — farming communities with a bunch of great kids.” Both quarterbacks — Connell’s Brian Hawkins and Royal’s Kaden Jenks — are outstanding, and should produce plenty of scoring Friday night. Since their regular-season rivalry resumed in 2006, the Eagles have won six of the past nine meetings — but Royal won a 49-7 thumping last season at Connell.
TNT pick: Royal, 38-35.
todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 10:21 PM with the headline "Week 3 prep football predictions, games to watch."