West Side[/B]
Blaine (5-5) @ LaCenter (10-0)
LaCenter, 10-0 and have the home field advantage. Win over Woodland looked to be quality win.
Woodland (9-1) @ Mt Baker (8-1)
I'm tossed up about this one. Woodland took out a good Montesano team, but lost big to LaCenter. Mt Baker played Lynden and Kings well but squeaked by Meridian. I think I will go with the home team Mt Baker in a squeaker.
Montesano (6-4) @ Cascade Christian (9-0)
Whoa, these two have epic battles every time they play. Coaches and players know each other well. In last years State Championship run for Montesano, the only blemish was the CC game which came down to the last :40 seconds. Tis true CC got Montesano earlier in the year at Montesano, but neither team was at full strength. The team who keeps penalties and turnovers to a minimum will win. It is a shame these two meet so early in the playoffs. I will take CC and the home field advantage.
Kings (8-2) @ Tenino (6-4)
I like Kings in this one. The losses were to quality teams including Lynden who they played respectively and who is undefeated this year in 2A. Tenino seems to be inconsistent?? They defeated a good Montesano team at Montesano, but lost big to LaCenter. In their defense, it may have been when Montesano had some good kids out with injury.
East Side
[/B]Okanogan (9-1) @ Connell (8-2)
This is another toss up to me. Okanogan got Connell their second game by 13 at home. Connell's other loss was to Othello their first game of the year so they started the season 0-2. Okanogan lost by 35 in Cashmere 6 games in. I don't know the health of the players on either team so "I can't make the key man down" argument. I would guess Okanogan would be the favorite, but I'm going to go with the home team, and pick Connell.
Meridian (6-4) @ Cashmere (9-1)
The only loss Cashmere has on their record was an early season defeat by CC, running the table since. I am also impressed with the 35 point win over Okanogan. Having said that, the spread of their games since CC may indicate, very few if any, quality opponents. Meridian has 2 losses to higher classification schools and 2 losses to 1A schools (Blain and Mt Baker). Cashmere has done a good job protecting their house and I think this week will be no exception. Meridian to Cashmere is a long ride, I think Cashmere will win.
Riverview (9-1) @ Freeman (10-0)
I'm not sure about these two teams. Riverview lost to Connell by 10 in game 8 for their only loss. Freeman has run the table including some wins over higher classification schools. I'm going with Freeman.
Riverside (8-2) @ Royal (7-3)
This is another one that is a little confusing. Who is Royal? The team that knocked off #1 Zillah or the team that has 3 losses including Zillah and Riverview both by 30-35 points and Connell by 28? They could be peaking at the right time. Riverside's losses have been to Timberlake ID and by 34 to Freeman. I think this one can go either way and the team that wins will be the team that doesn't shoot themselves in the foot. I always like "routine", "repetition" and "familiarity" that is part of the "home field advantage". When all other factors look equal, I'll take the home team. So it is with this game. I'll take Royal to win one more week.
