State football at a glance

Washington

First-round matchups

4A

Ferris Saxons (9-1) vs. Central Valley Bears (8-2)

When: Friday, Joe Albi Stadium, 6 p.m.

How they got here: Ferris and Central Valley were part of a big sweep of the Columbia Basin Big Nine 4A teams last week. Ferris fended off a nice challenge by Eisenhower (38-31) while CV shut out CBBN champ Chiawana (24-0).

What’s at stake: A quarterfinal matchup against the Mead/Skyline winner.

At a glance: Both teams knew a rematch was possible back in early October when the Saxons pulled away late for a 28-10 decision. CV comes in playing as well as it has all season, coming off a 31-7 win over Lewis and Clark and the impressive win last week. CV has played well when it stays away from turnovers. In the league matchup, Ferris controlled CV’s running game and the Bears couldn’t stop the Saxons’ double-wing running attack. This should be a defensive battle to the end. “They’re playing at a high level and with a lot of energy,” Ferris coach Jim Sharkey said of CV. “They know what we’re going to do and we know what they’re going to do,” CV coach Rick Giampietri said. “It’s going to come down to who wants it more.”

Skyline Spartans (7-3) vs. Mead Panthers (9-1)

When: Saturday, Joe Albi Stadium, 1 p.m.

How they got here: Mead hammered Davis 68-22 last week and Skyline did likewise to Monroe.

What’s at stake: A quarterfinal matchup against the Ferris/CV winner.

At a glance: It will be Mead’s run-based fly offense against the Spartans’ pass-happy attack. Skyline junior quarterback Max Browne has completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,026 yards, 34 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The Spartans must find a way to slow down the Panthers’ running game. Don’t be surprised if this is a high-scoring game. “As far as I can tell, they’re as good as we’ve played,” Mead coach Sean Carty said. “We think we can move the ball effectively. And they’ll get opportunities. We just can’t give them extra ones.”

2A

Ellensburg Bulldogs (8-3) at Deer Park Stags (9-1)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

How they got here: Deer Park captured the Great Northern League title and Ellensburg edged Cheney 36-35 in a play-in game Tuesday.

What’s at stake: A quarterfinal matchup against the Prosser/West Valley winner.

At a glance: The Stags’ lone loss was 28-23 to Cheney in the final minute. So this game should be tightly contested. Deer Park comes in well rested and should benefit from home-field advantage.

West Valley Eagles (9-2) at Prosser Mustangs (9-1)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

How they got here: Prosser captured the Central Washington Athletic Conference title while WV handled East Valley (Yakima) in a play-in game Tuesday.

What’s at stake: A quarterfinal matchup against the Ellensburg/Deer Park winner.

At a glance: Two years ago the Eagles advanced to the state title game. Prosser is a traditional 2A power. WV comes in on a roll, having defeated Cheney last week to earn a home play-in game and then continuing the momentum against EV (Yakima). WV will have its hands full. Prosser’s lone loss was to 3A Kamiakin.

1A

Freeman Scotties (9-1) at Connell Eagles (9-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

How they got here: Freeman earned the second seed from the Northeast A League while Connell won a league title.

What’s at stake: A quarterfinal matchup against the Zillah/Cashmere winner.

At a glance: Freeman’s lone setback was a 28-27 loss to Colville. It cost the Scotties an outright league title and the top playoff seed. Connell is a perennial playoff qualifier, so Freeman faces a difficult test.

Royal Knights (8-2) at Colville Indians (5-4)

When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

How they got here: Colville captured the NEA title while Royal finished second to Connell.

What’s at stake: A quarterfinal matchup against the Chelan-Cle Elum/Roslyn winner.

At a glance: Royal is a perennial playoff qualifier. Colville’s record is deceiving. Three of the Indians’ losses were by lopsided margins to 2A-level teams. The Indians hope that playing at home will pay off.

2B

Lind/Ritzville-Sprague Broncos (8-1) at Manson Trojans (5-4)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

How they got here: The Broncos finished second in league and defeated Dayton 12-0 in crossover last week. Manson lost 61-27 to White Swan in crossover.

What’s at stake: A quarterfinal matchup against the Brewster/Waitsburg- Prescott winner.

At a glance: Defense has carried the Broncos this season and that must be the case against Manson.

Warden Cougars (8-2) at Colfax Bulldogs (9-0)

When: Friday, 7

How they got here: Colfax won the Northeast 2B title and shut out Asotin 43-0 in a crossover last week. Manson finished second in the Central Washington South.

What’s at stake: A quarterfinal matchup against the DeSales/White Swan winner.

At a glance: State playoffs and Colfax seemingly are synonymous each year, and this fall is no different. Just how good Colfax is remains to be seen. The Bulldogs should have no difficulty getting to the quarterfinals.

Idaho

Semifinals

5A

Capital Eagles (8-2) at CdA Vikings (10-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

How they got here: The Vikings topped Mountain View of Meridian and Capital downed Skyline in first-round games.

What’s at stake: A state title game against the Eagle/Highland winner.

At a glance: This is a rematch of a semifinal a year ago that CdA won 28-24 in Boise. The Vikings are every bit as good, if not better, than a year ago, but Capital isn’t as salty as it was last year on defense. So it will be a tall task for the Eagles to slow down the Vikings’ potent offense. “They’ve got a good offense, but they don’t have the athletic talent they had on defense last year,” CdA coach Shawn Amos said. Last week was the first time all season CdA’s starters have played four quarters. “That’s not a bad thing,” Amos said. “Our kids don’t have the wear and tear of the season that most teams have right now. They’ve played a game or two less in total time. We think that’s an advantage.”

1A Division I

Wallace Miners (9-1) vs. Kendrick Tigers (9-1)

When: Friday, Kibbie Dome, 7 p.m.

How they got here: Wallace handled Potlatch and Kendrick defeated Troy in first-round games.

What’s at stake: A state title game against the Hagerman/Oakley winner.

At a glance: The Miners have never played deeper than the quarterfinals under coach Dave Rounds, so a win would be huge for the program. The game will come down to a Wallace team that wants to control the ball and pound it on the ground to Kendrick’s quick, finesse style.

1A Division II

Kootenai Warriors (5-5) at Lighthouse Christian Lions (7-3)

When: Saturday, noon

How they got here: Kootenai defeated Tri-Valley and Lighthouse Christian had a big road win at Salmon River.

What’s at stake: A state title game against the Carey/Castleford winner.

At a glance: Lighthouse Christian is relatively new to the state playoff scene. Still, Kootenai, which is decidedly one-dimensional, will have difficulty trying to win on the road against a team that is peaking at the right time.