5 things to watch this week in the high school football playoffs
NOT WHAT WE REMEMBER
Bonney Lake played Lincoln in non-league games in 2012 and 2013 when the Abes threw it 50 times a game under former coach Jon Kitna. Now they want to run it with RB Dionte Simon. “None of my seniors … faced them back then, so they are just another team,” Panthers coach Jason Silbaugh said.
MEMORABLE MENTOR
Ex-Curtis quarterback Nick Lucey was on Bob Wollan’s staff at Pullman during two runs to the 2A title game. Lucey is now the coach for No. 3 Squalicum, which hosts Wollan’s W.F. West squad in the Class 2A first round. Lucey considers Wollan a mentor. “But not enough to let him host this game,” Lucey said.
HEY THERE, 3A SPSL!
Lakes coach Dave Miller knew the 3A SPSL would be an extraordinary grind this season. And the payoff is that the league is the only one to send four schools (Sumner, Auburn Mountainview, Lakes, Bonney Lake) to the round of 16 in the Class 4A or 3A brackets. “Obviously that result backs it up,” Miller said.
RETIRING LEGEND
Bob Bourgette has been with Kennedy Catholic football for 44 years — the past 21 as its coach. He won his 200th game two weeks ago. And he announced this is his final season. The Lancers meet 3A powerhouse Bellevue on Friday. “It’s not about me, it’s about the kids,” Bourgette said. “I just want them to lay it on the line.”
TOP OF THE WORLD
Wilson coach Don Clegg admits his Rams are still beaming and talking about last week’s 15-12 triple-overtime victory over Lake Washington in the Class 3A state play-in round. What awaits them is a state playoff trip to Kennewick. “I hope we can get refocused,” Clegg said. “Coach Clegg will focus on that, big time.”
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442, @ManyHatsMilles
This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 6:18 PM with the headline "5 things to watch this week in the high school football playoffs."