Week 4 prep football predictions, games to watch
4A SPSL SOUTH
No. 4 Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (3-0) at No. 7 Curtis Vikings (3-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Viking Stadium, University Place
About the Eagles: Defensive ends Kyle Matheny (six sacks) and Trea Hawthorne (four sacks) have been gearing to play with less edge and more discipline against Curtis’ triple-option offense, which will have a hard enough time against G-K’s stout inside linebackers and cornerbacks. But this will be the toughest test G-K has faced in a league where it feels like the title is on the line every week.
About the Vikings: It took this veer-like offense about two quarters to find its way. But now with the threat of Gage Ferguson (24 of 44, 518 yards, 6 TDs; 44 carries, 292 yards, 5 TDs) taking off, handing to Donnell Diego (63 carries, 360 yards, 4 TDs) or throwing to sure-handed Tristan Beard (12 catches, 280 yards, 4 TDs), there’s a lot of life. Curtis has scored 120 points in its past 10 quarters.
TNT pick: Graham-Kapowsin, 25-24.
3A SPSL
Peninsula Seahawks (2-1) at No. 7 Lakes Lancers (3-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Harry Lang Stadium, Lakewood
About the Seahawks: Peninsula’s stout offensive line, behind Chance Stolz and Cody Kanouse, meets a nasty Lakes defensive front, led by Xavier Banner (younger brother of USC offensive lineman and Lakes graduate Zach Banner), Maxwell Nauer and Jo-Bentley Keilani, who have been nearly unblockable. Coach Ross Filkins said technique must be cleaned up this week.
About the Lancers: Maybe it’s only fitting that Peninsula puts its 22-game 3A SPSL winning streak on the line against Lakes, which once rattled off 45 consecutive wins from 1999-2003 and was the last league team to beat Peninsula (33-13 on Sept. 30, 2011). Lakes’ linebackers — Maika Magalei, Elijah McMillon and Cale Lindsay — are the best coach Dave Miller said he’s ever had.
TNT pick: Lakes, 30-28.
No. 3 Auburn Mountainview Lions (3-0) at No. 10 Sumner Spartans (3-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Sunset Chev Stadium, Sumner
About the Lions: Auburn Mountainview’s Gresch Jensen (52 of 67, 952 yards, 13 TDs) has come out looking even better than he did the past two years. And he’s got some receivers who can create after the catch in Ki’jan Weisinger (20 catches, 348 yards, 4 TDs) and Vaughn Daggs (10 catches, 201 yards, 3 TDs). But the offensive line must continue to give Jensen time to throw.
About the Spartans: How do you slow AMV’s offense? Keep it on the sidelines. And the Spartans have the running backs to do so with Connor Wedington (43 carries, 392 yards, 7 TDs) and Josh Riley (33 carries, 331 yards, 4 TDs). Don’t be surprised if Sumner can control the clock with the ground game against a smaller AMV defensive front, especially on its home field.
TNT pick: Sumner, 35-33.
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 9 Sedro-Woolley Cubs (2-1) at No. 3 Squalicum Storm (3-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Squalicum High School, Bellingham
The skinny: The gauntlet through the Northwest Conference continues. After their defense dominated in wins over Mount Baker and former NWC member Mount Vernon, the reigning 2A state champion Cubs suffered their first loss since falling to Lynden last October when they were defeated by Burlington-Edison last week. Meanwhile Squalicum handed Lynden its second loss of the season a week ago, turning the perennial power Lions into a suddenly unranked team. A win Friday could send either Sedro-Woolley or Squalicum on its way to the NWC title.
TNT pick: Squalicum, 21-17.
t.cotterill@thenewstribune.com
This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 9:23 PM with the headline "Week 4 prep football predictions, games to watch."