Week eight is over, the round-of-32 is close to being finalized, Kingco’s playoff picture is has taken shape, and there are only two teams left unbeaten. For an updated look at the standings from around the state, head on over to WaPrepZone.com .
I attended five games with week, and saw just two 4A teams, Mead and University. My attempt to attend 60 games in a season is really looking strong right now, as I have hit 37 games through eight weeks.
Game Recap
I really do not get to Spokane as much as I would like, but then again, I don’t get to many places as much as I would like.
Heck, I have never attended a regular season Big Nine or Mid-Columbia Conference game, and have only been to two games involving Kingco 4A teams this season, neither being a league game.
On to this week’s game…
It was Senior Night at Joe Albi Stadium, as the Mead Panthers honored 11 seniors that have dedicated many hard hours to their program.
The Panthers would come out hot, while University would spend the first half trying to find their game.
Mead got out to an early 7-0 lead when Samson Brown scored from about a yard out.
With the game just barely six minutes old, junior DB Beau Skinner picked off a pass and returned it 35 yards for the touchdown, giving the Panthers a 14-0 lead, and a ton of momentum.
The momentum would slowly turn towards University, as senior back Bryce Williamson started to pound away at an undersized Mead defense.
Mead did a great job limiting Williamson, who came into the night as the GSL rushing leader, allowing just 157 yards on 29 carries for the bruising back.
Williamson would cut the lead to 14-7 when he scampered in from 7 yards out in the second quarter, but Mead would answer right back, when senior Josh Richter rumbled in from 3 yards.
The halftime score was 21-7 in favor of the Panthers, with a feeling like Mead had dominated the first half.
Second half scoring was few and far between, as both teams got great play defensively, and eliminated any big offensive plays.
University would bring it within a score when Williamson scored his second of the night, this one from 5 yards out, but that was it.
The Titans had multiple opportunities to break out their offense, but give credit to the Mead defense for being tough all night.
My Game Notes/Links
I’m a big fan of Mead’s AJ Layton. He is one of the more versatile defensive players in the state. At 5’11” and 200 pounds, recruiting has been a bit light for the senior, but there is no doubt in my mind he can play at the next level. Check out his film Right Here .
Another defensive star at Mead is Tyler Puletasi. He plays DE, but has the ability and athleticism to be an OLB if needed. His true fit may be as a 3-4 OLB, but either way he could end up being a D1 guy. Have a look at Tyler’s film Right Here .
Only game report is up on NW Preps Now, and you can find it Right Here .
There is a lot to like about University’s Bryce Williamson. I don’t think his highlight video does him justice. He has good speed and great vision, while also having a little nasty to him. Click Here for his highlights.
This is the first time I have been to Spokane twice in a year for games. I do think the Spokane area is under-recruited, but I also think there is a bit of a misconception from those in the Spokane area. Times have changed and recruiting is not as easy as “Oh, if you’re good, they will find you.” I think there are a lot of people from the Spokane area that feel that way, and it is simply not true anymore.
When it is all said and done, this year will be looked at as a “down year” for teams in the Greater Spokane League. They have a few nice teams, but to say any of them, outside of maybe Gonzaga Prep look like they could win a state championship may be a bit of a stretch.
Next week: Mead Panthers (3-5) at Lewis & Clark Tigers (4-4); University Titans (4-4) vs Central Valley Rams (3-5).
Other 4A Notes/Links
The four teams that will represent Kingco 4A are finalized, as Bothell, Eastlake, Newport and Skyline are all guaranteed berths. Bothell is also guaranteed the #1 seed, while any of the three other teams could end up anywhere from 2-4. A Skyline win makes it Skyline (2), Newport (3) and Eastlake (4) regardless of what happens with Newport’s game. Eastlake win, with a Newport win makes it Newport (2), Eastlake (3) and Skyline (4). An Eastlake win with a Newport loss makes it Eastlake (2), Skyline (3) and Newport (4). NOW, if there is a full moon on the Plateau, and a half moon at the Newport/Woodinville game, everyone will lose and it will…. Just kidding. Hope it all makes sense.
Lake Stevens is the Wesco 4A conference champion after beating Kamiak on Friday night 37-34. Game recap Right Here . What’s next for the two teams? Lake Stevens will face the Narrows League #4 team in week 10, which will be determined this week as South Kitsap and Timberline are tied for that berth, and luckily enough they play each other. Kamiak slots into the Wesco’s #2 position, and will host the SPSL North’s #3 team in week 10. I believe that could be anyone of Kentwood, Kent-Meridian, Federal Way and Todd Beamer, depending on how those crossovers work out.
Emerald Ridge has won the SPSL South. The Jaguars started 0-2 in non-league play, before reeling off 6 straight wins to take home the league title. Read about last week’s game Right Here . That being said, they are slated to play Kingco #4, and I already told you about the mess to determine that.
The top three spots in the Narrows are still up for grabs after Olympia beat Bellarmine Prep, read about it Right Here . So I am editing my initial post. I was wrong about the tiebreaker scenario for this league. This is what I was sent…
“Ryland, saw your playoff scenarios and wanted you to know Narrows is a bit different. In the case of a three way tie, Bellarmine would have to beat Gig Harbor by more than 10 points to take the #1 seed (we use points as three team tie breaker). Anything less than 10 and Gig Harbor takes first and Bellarmine takes third (once three way tie is broken it goes back to head to head). Points are capped at 14, so right now Gig Harbor is +14 for their win over Oly. Oly is -7 when you combine their game with Gig Harbor and Bellarmine. Bellarmine is -7 for their loss to Oly.”
Make sense?
Camas is the GSHL Champion again with a win over Mountain View, Game recap Right Here . The Papermakers will get a week 10 home game against the winner of Tomas Jefferson vs Tahoma. The GSHL’s #2 and #3 berth is set to be determined this week when Skyview and Union square off at the Kiggins Bowl. The winner will host the Curtis Vikings in week 10, while the loser will have to travel to Kingco’s #2.
The Mid-Columbia Conference gets two teams into week 10 to face off against the Greater Spokane Leageue, those two teams will be the Chiawana Riverhawks, who wrapped up the top spot last week, and the Walla Walla Blue Devils, who wrapped up the second spot this week with a win over Hanford, view that recap Right Here .
The Greater Spokane League is still up in the air, as Gonzaga Prep is the only team to lockup a berth, but Ferris could still win a League Title… Or they could finish in a three-way tie… I will leave it for NWPrepsNow to explain.
Hope that all makes sense. If you have questions about your team, feel free to email me Ringerland@gmail.com.
