Bainbridge (3-4, 3-2) vs. Bremerton (5-2, 3-2)
Bainbridge holds the tiebreaker for third place in the Olympic League. In order to stay above Bremerton, the Spartans front seven will have to step up. On the offensive side, Micah Bryant will be the answer. If Bryant can continue to move the sticks, it will keep Bremerton’s offense on the sidelines and allow Bainbridge to control the momentum. Bremerton’s Jayden Quenga has been at least one-third of the Knights’ total yards in the last five games, including 51 % against North Kitsap. The running back is ranked 22nd in the state with nearly 700 rushing yards. Therefore, he must keep being the Knights workhorse to keep their slim playoff chances alive.
Sequim (2-5, 2-3) vs. North Kitsap (6-1, 5-0)
Sequim’s offense relies on motions and misdirections. Therefore, the Wolves need to see what defense North Kitsap is playing and attack its weaknesses. If the Wolves cannot confuse the Vikings talented defense, it will be a long night for them. North Kitsap is close to playoff form. Viking defensive lineman Sofian Hammou has proved to be another all-league selection after being responsible for 15 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and 17 tackles for loss. Quarterback Cole Edwards has become a high school version of Kyler Murray, creating plays while scrambling. Edwards has two rushing touchdowns and seven passing. In addition, he averages almost 150 total yards.
Kingston (2-5, 1-4,) vs. Port Angeles (1-6, 0-5)
Kingston’s Dewaun Swan will be the key player for the Buccaneers. The running back will see a lot of touches in between the tackles, allowing Kingston’s offensive line to try to win in the trenches against a smaller Port Angeles squad. Brooks Arnim will add some play-action throws. Port Angeles has struggled on the road, scoring three points in its three away games. Quarterback Brandt Perry will look to control a balanced offense against Kingston’s smaller defensive core.
South Kitsap (1-6) vs. Curtis (4-3)
South Kitsap has given up the third-most points in the 4a South Puget Sound Conference while Curtis has the second-highest-scoring offense, averaging 32 points per game. Both teams are better in the first half. South Kitsap averages nearly 10 points in the first half while Curtis averages 15. If South Kitsap wants to upset Curtis on the road, its defense must shut down Curtis quarterback Shawn A. Thomas.
Gig Harbor (5-2,3-2) vs. Central Kitsap (0-7, 0-5)
Gig Harbor’s offensive trio is tough to handle. Quarterback Will Landram has thrown for 1,625 yards and 19 touchdowns in seven games. His main weapons include running back Blaze Herbert and wide receiver Gavin Nash. Herbert has 777 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns, four receiving and four rushing. Nash has 22 receptions this season. However, he has averaged 20.5 yards per catch and has seven TDs. Central Kitsap has scored 69 of its 97 points in the last three games. CK tends to score in the latter half of games.
Klahowya (1-5, 1-2) vs. East Jefferson (2-4, 2-1)
Klahowya and East Jefferson will include two air-raid offenses. Eagle Jackson Kealoha ranks second in the 1A Nisqually League for passing yards, yards per game, completions and touchdowns. However, he leads the league in interceptions with 11. East Jefferson’s Cash Holmes is third in every category except interceptions, ranked second with seven in six games. Klahowya’s top target Carson Moore looks to add to his 513 receiving yards while Brody Moore and Gary Zambor have combined for 27 receptions for 623 yards. On defense, Eagle Nathan Turk holds the second-most interceptions in the league with four while East Jefferson has three total interceptions this season.
