Week 9

South Kitsap Wolves (3-5) @ Central Kitsap Cougars (5-3)

Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.

@ Silverdale Stadium, Silverdale

Central Kitsap Coach: Mark Keel

League Affiliation: Class 4A Narrows League

Offensive formation: Shotgun

Defensive formation: 3-3 stack

Last year’s Record: 7-4

2009 playoff results: Central Kitsap lost 21-16 against Curtis in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.

Key returners: OL/DL Jacob Brouker, 6-1, 225, sr.; DB Maurice Brown, 5-9, 170, sr.; OL/DL Brian Chhor, 6-1, 240, sr.; DL Kyle Lanoue, 6-1, 250, jr.; RB Devon Lewis, 5-10, 205, sr.; QB/DB Brett McDonald, 6-0, 190, sr.; LB Dakota Meadows, 5-11, 185, sr.

Central Kitsap vs. South Kitsap: South leads the series 43-24-4.

Last meeting with South Kitsap: The Wolves won 10-0 last season at Joe Knowles Field.

D.J. Sigurdson vs. Central Kitsap: 7-4.

Last week: Central Kitsap defeated Mount Tahoma 23-20.

POI pick: Central Kitsap 28, South Kitsap 17.

Overview: It starts on defense for the Cougars, who return seven starters from the league’s stingiest defense in 2009. Brouker, McDonald and Meadows earned all-league honors on that side of the ball a year ago. This season, CK allows just 16.5 points per game. Even with the departure of standout wide receiver Christian Wesley, who now is a freshman at Central Washington University, the Cougars still have the league’s third-most prolific offense at 26.3 points per game. The Wolves have a commanding lead in the series, but most of that was based on their dominance of Central in the early years of both programs. South has a 22-21 edge since 1949 along with a tie in ’68. The Wolves must win to avoid their first losing season since 2004.