Port Angeles (1-5, 0-4) vs. Bainbridge (2-4, 2-2)
Besides a Week 4 matchup against Sequim, the Port Angeles offense has been stagnant. The offense averages 6.2 points per game, not including their 31-point performance against Sequim. Most of their points come in the first half, too.
Bainbridge’s offense begins to click toward the end of the game when their backs are against the wall. If Bainbridge can manage to take a lead in the first half behind Jack Grant and Micah Bryant, the Spartans should cruise to another victory. However, the defense must rely on linebackers Grant and Jeff Utter to shut down Port Angeles.
North Kitsap (5-1, 4-0) vs. Bremerton (5-1, 3-1)
North Kitsap has outscored Olympic League opponents 226-6 in four games this year. The Vikings can strike from all angles. In their four league games, NK has ran 187 plays, with the Vikings running 62 percent of the time. Running back Carter Dungy leads the rushing game while Cole Edwards has proved to be a threat on the ground and in the air.
According to WIAA rankings, Bremerton sits 21st in the RPI rankings. Therefore, Bremerton’s playoffs start this week. If they lose, they will struggle to claw into the playoff picture. If the Knights win, it will be due in large part to two of the top-10 running backs in the 2A class, Jayden Quenga and Oliver Christian. Although North Kitsap’s defensive line is a brick wall, Bremerton has a long shot to break it down and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Olympic (5-1, 4-0) vs. Kingston (2-4, 1-3)
Olympic continues its path toward a huge matchup against North Kitsap. However, they cannot overlook a trap game like Kingston. On paper, Olympic’s play style is perfect to beat down the Buccaneers. Their offense relies on running backs Daniel Rosales and Joshua Gauyan. Once they reach the red zone, Luke Silva is the most dangerous player on the field, racking up seven touchdowns this season.
Kingston will try to respond with running back Aaron Fitsemons and wide receiver Noah Walter. The rushing attack will be slowed down against the Trojans. If the offensive line holds strong, Walter can keep Kingston close in the air.
Graham-Kapowsin (4-2) vs. South Kitsap (1-5)
After scoring six points last week, South Kitsap has finally scored 100 points this season. On the defensive side, South Kitsap has given up 154 points, second most in the South Sound Conference. SK’s offense tends to strike early behind quarterback Nathan Ericson and his air raid attack.
Graham-Kapowsin will look to attack the Wolves cornerbacks. Quarterback Daveon Superales is nearing 1,000 passing yards this season and holds a quarterback rating of 99.6. Superales will be looking for his top target, Jabez Woods, who averages nearly 50 receiving yards and a touchdown per game.
Central Kitsap (0-7, 0-5) vs. River Ridge (0-5, 0-4)
Central Kitsap will attempt to snap a nine-game losing streak while River Ridge is looking to snap a six-game losing streak. CK’s pistol offense can come into play against the worst defense in the league. If the Cougars can keep River Ridge off balance, they can sneak out their first win.
River Ridge will counter with quarterback Darian Harper. Harper does not put up amazing stats but can make plays in the air or on the ground. Therefore, CK must contain Harper in order to win.
Bellevue Christian (2-3, 0-1) vs Klahowya (1-4, 1-1)
Klahowya has shown to be a first-half team. In the first half of their games, the Eagles average 19.3 points compared to averaging 9 points in the second half. Klahowya’s top threats are wide receiver Carson Moore and running back Logan Wallis. Moore has averaged 102.6 receiving yards and 1.4 touchdowns per game. Wallis has averaged 95.8 scrimmage yards per game and leads the defense with 14.3 tackles per game and an interception.
Bellevue Christian relies on a ground attack. Austin Harrison averages 90.3 rushing yards per game, over 6 yards per carry. The Vikings quarterback, Isaac Britton, has the second-most rushing yards per game with 54.7.
