South Sound games of the week
SPSL NORTHWEST
Tahoma (4-0)
at Kentwood (3-1)
7 p.m. Friday, French Field, Kent
About the Bears: Is there a more complete football player in the South Sound than QB Amandre Williams? Williams (96-153, 1,296 yards, 11 TDs) is in total control for the Bears. Coach Tony Davis said his senior “gets football at a level most kids don’t.” Receiving corps is deep, led by sophomore WR Jerrel Chapman (31 catches, 400 yards, four TDs).
About the Conquerors: You might recognize this offense from recent years. It is from Bothell, where new Kentwood coach Mike Bush spent the past four seasons as an assistant. QB Brian Campbell (38-60, 519 yards, seven TDs) isn’t the same playmaker that Cal-bound Ross Bowers was for Bothell last year, but he is better on the move than most defenses give him credit for.
TNT pick: Tahoma, 40-34.
2A SPSL
Orting (3-1)
at Franklin Pierce (1-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Franklin Pierce Stadium, Parkland
About the Orting Cardinals: Coach Marty Parkhurst has to be salivating after watching last week’s film of White River gaining big chunks of yards on its option run against the Franklin Pierce defense. That could bode well for Orting’s jet sweep and counter-run game, led by RB Jackson Bell (58 rushes, 339 yards, two TDs). Orting has lost the past two games in the series, including 32-14 last year.
About the Franklin Pierce Cardinals: QB Willie Patterson (61-109, 1,041 yards, 12 TDs; 283 rushing yards, TD) is a difference-maker. Coach Mickey Ahrens says the junior has shown growth in the pocket, but needs to quicken his release on passes. Four players made their first career start on defense last week. Getting LB Derek Nesbitt (head injury) back should be a boost.
TNT pick: Franklin Pierce, 27-19.
NON-LEAGUE
No. 9 Bethel (4-0)
at Mountain View (3-1)
4:30 p.m. Friday, McKenzie Stadium, Vancouver
About the Braves: They are expecting a high-scoring affair — and have the pieces to keep up with QB Bryce Missey (70-133, 1,068 yards, 18 TDs), who is much more poised in his second season with coach Mark Iddins’ spread offense. WR Elijah McLeod (24 catches, 486 yards, nine TDs) has torched man-to-man coverage. Young Braves linebackers and safeties will be tested.
About the Storm: Like Bethel, Mountain View will look to outscore an opponent to win — especially after its secondary gave up 503 passing yards and six scores to Battle Ground’s Gunner Talkington last week. The Storm averages 473.5 rushing yards per game in the Wing-T offense, led by QB Preston Jones (90 rushes, 743 yards, nine TDs).
TNT pick: Bethel, 49-48.
STATE GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Bellevue (2-1)
at No. 5 Glacier Peak (4-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Veterans Memorial Stadium, Snohomish
Skinny: As often as these two schools play, you’d think they were league rivals. They are not — Bellevue is in the KingCo, and the Grizzlies are in the Wesco — but will meet for the fifth time in the past seven seasons. For the first time since a Class 3A playoff loss in 2009, Glacier Peak gets to host the powerhouse Wolverines. “I hope it is a playoff atmosphere,” Grizzlies coach Rory Rosenbach said. “You want to prepare your team for November. It is our homecoming, so … we should have a good crowd.” Rosenbach has been the school’s only coach since it opened in 2008, and the Grizzlies have made the playoffs every season under him. Glacier Peak will run as many as three quarterbacks through the offense, led by senior Devyn Rainbow and freshman Ayden Ziomas — and is as deep on offense as it has ever been. The Wolverines also have a pretty good quarterback in Washington State commit Justus Rogers. Bellevue, which beat the Grizzlies, 30-0, last season, has not lost to a 3A school during the regular season since 2007 (a 6-0 loss to Skyline).
TNT pick: Bellevue, 35-24.
todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 5:09 PM with the headline "South Sound games of the week."