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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Football playoffs

Idaho – Semifinals

5A: Lake City (9-1)

vs. Mountain View (8-2)

Friday at Meridian, 6 p.m.

At a glance: If the game is tight, LC coach Van Troxel likes his team’s chances. The Timberwolves have won two games in overtime and kicked a field goal with no time on the clock for a win on the road against another team in the semifinals, Rocky Mountain. Expect the ball to be in the hands of do-everything utility back Jerry Louie-McGee. Teams know what he can do on special teams and they’re not kicking to him. So Troxel plans to get the ball into his playmaker’s hands as much as possible. The Mavericks finished ranked first in defense in their conference. They forced seven turnovers in their quarterfinal win. A victory is well within the T-Wolves’ grasp. “We have to play well,” said Troxel, hinting that his team made too many mistakes last week. “It was not crisp last week. We were fortunate, but they do know how to win.”

Washington – First round

4A: Todd Beamer (7-3)

vs. Gonzaga Prep (9-1)

Saturday at Gonzaga Prep, 1

At a glance: Todd Beamer, a school in Federal Way, opened in 2003 and has qualified for its first playoff game. The Titans are big and physical and want to pound the ball. The Bullpups will counter with speed. G-Prep coach Dave McKenna said his team must get out to a faster start than it did last week against Walla Walla. “We let them hang in it too long, to be honest,” McKenna said. “We were playing on our heels in the first half.” One area that has pleased McKenna all season is defense. The Bullpups have had a good week of preparation. “Practices have been efficient,” McKenna said. “The kids make it fun.”

3A: Auburn Mountainview (9-1)

vs. Shadle Park (7-3)

Saturday at Albi Stadium, 1

At a glance: The things that have ailed the Highlanders seemed to go away in a 27-7 win over Kamiakin last week. Next up are the Lions, who have an athletic, opportunistic secondary. Shadle quarterback Brett Rypien eclipsed 12,000 career yards last week (12,245). If he throws what he’s been averaging, he should top 4,000 for the season (3,726) Saturday. He’s thrown 43 touchdown passes. The Highlanders have impressed their first-year coach. “They’ve been overcoming a lot of adversity,” Jim Mace said. “It’s more magnified in the playoffs when you have a bad play here or there. They just seem to keep taking a next-play attitude. We’ve been preaching mental toughness with the temperatures.” AM finished third in a deep league. “They’re fast with good athletes,” Mace said.

3A: Wilson (8-2)

vs. Mt. Spokane (8-2)

Saturday at Albi Stadium, 4

At a glance: The Wildcats may be facing their defensive equal. The Rams held high-scoring, pass-happy Lincoln to 12 points in a 12-3 loss. Defense has been Mt. Spokane’s most consistent attribute the last half of the season. Mt. Spokane coach Terry Cloer called his team’s 43-13 win over Kennewick last week its most complete effort. “The offense came out of the gates roaring,” Cloer said. “We’re finally starting to click on all cylinders.” Quarterback Matt Pulliam has thrown for 1,343 yards and six TDs while rushing for a second-best 557 and 13 TDs. The Wildcats have rushed for a combined 2,241 yards. Wilson’s depth has been ravaged lately by injuries. QB Julius Yates-Brown has rushed for 1,111 yards and six TDs and thrown for 1,461 and 10 TDs. “He’s an athletic kid,” Cloer said. “They’re pretty balanced offensively.”

2A: Prosser (9-2)

vs. Clarkston (9-1)

Saturday at Clarkston, 1

At a glance: Talk about a turnaround under first-year coach Brycen Bye. The Bantams finished 1-9 last year. Sophomore QB AJ Davis, junior running back Blake Rimmelspacher and receivers Trevor Sperry, a senior, and Trevon Allen, a junior, have been in the middle of the Bantams’ success. Clarkston takes on tradition-rich Prosser, which has been slowed recently by injuries. RBs Isaiah Sanders and Thomas Niemeyer returned in the Mustangs’ 25-12 win over West Valley on Tuesday in a play-in game. Prosser took advantage of eight WV fumbles (four lost) and three interceptions.

1A: Freeman (8-1)

vs. Zillah (10-0)

Friday at Zillah, 6

At a glance: Zillah has zipped through the regular season the past two years only to stumble come playoff time. Defending state champ Freeman is poised to make another postseason run and would like a rematch against Colville. RB Marcus Goldbach has done the heavy lifting, leading the Scotties with 1,247 yards rushing and 20 TDs. QB Preston Hoppman has thrown for 1,096 and 12 touchdowns. His favorite target has been receiver Jack Paukert (30 catches, 581 yards, nine TDs).

1A: La Salle (8-2)

vs. Colville (9-0)

Friday at Colville, 7

At a glance: La Salle, making its first playoff appearance since 2009, couldn’t be opening against a tougher opponent. The Indians had little difficulty in the Northeast A League, including stopping Freeman 28-7. Colville’s defense should do to the Lightning what it’s done to NEA teams. RB Colton Vining has led the Indians’ offense with 1,210 yards and 23 TDs, a single-season school record. La Salle has moved the ball primarily through the air. “They’re going to present some challenges for us,” Colville coach Randy Cornwell said. “They like to throw deep and run a ton of stuff.” Cornwell praises his team for its preparation. “They’re in it for the long haul,” Cornwell said. “They’re the most competitively mature bunch that I’ve coached.”

1A: Lakeside (8-2)

vs. Royal (9-1)

Friday at Royal City, 7

At a glance: The teams have a common opponent. The Knights beat Cashmere 19-13 in September while Lakeside beat Cashmere 49-41 last week. “Royal is one of the premiere schools at our level,” Lakeside coach Brian Dunn said. “They’re really balanced with a big running back and tough defense.” RB Miguel Ayala has led Royal with 1,143 yards and 14 TDs and sophomore QB Kaden Jenks has 1,522 yards and 25 TDs. Lakeside has relied heavily on junior QB Cameron Gay, who has thrown for 2,399 yards and 35 TDs and just four interceptions.

2B : Brewster (10-1)

vs. Lind-Ritzville/Sprague (10-0)

Friday at Ritzville, 6

At a glance: The two-time defending state-champion Broncos aren’t the same horses from the last two years, but they’re not a bunch of mules. Defense has been at the core of LRS’s success. The Broncos have three shutouts. “We’re just scratching along,” Broncos coach Greg Whitmore said. “We’re not tearing the world apart statistically, but we’re winning on the scoreboard.” The Broncos have won 36 straight dating back to 2011. The Broncos are plus 15 in turnovers. They’ve been led by senior Cort Ruzicka, who has played five positions on offense and at strong safety on defense. “He’s really the glue on both sides of the ball,” Whitmore said. The Broncos will have to defend the pass against Brewster. QB Timbo Taylor throws it all over, but he especially likes to go deep, Whitmore said. “We’ve got to stop the pass and make them beat us running the ball,” he said.

2B: Davenport (8-2)

vs. White Swan (8-2)

Friday at White Swan, 6

At a glance: The Gorillas are making their first playoff appearance since 2007. Davenport wants to run, run and run some more. Tom Wilkie has a team-leading 1,341 yards and Austin Zeller is next at 1,098. “We’ve got to establish our running game and do the things that have gotten us this far,” Davenport coach Justin Young said. “We’ve done well overcoming adversity,” Young said. “They don’t quit and keep battling.” For the Gorillas, stopping the run will be crucial against White Swan.

2B: Reardan (9-1)

at Okanogan (10-1)

Friday at Okanogan, 7

At a glance: The teams are similar in their run-first approaches. This will be a difficult test on the road for Reardan. “I compare them to (LRS),” Reardan coach Eric Nikkola said. “We’re going to have to stop the run and put them in a position to throw. They have the best running back we’ve seen all year. They don’t seem to be as comfortable throwing.” RB Dan Peone has led Reardan with 1,235 yards and 14 TDs. Zach Wynecoop, who started the year at QB but moved to RB, has 671 and seven TDs.

1B: Garfield-Palouse (7-2)

vs. Odessa-Harrington (8-2)

Friday at Odessa, 7

At a glance: O-H is coming off a decisive defeat. In a crossover seeding game, Republic drubbed O-H 76-14. Gar-Pal, which finished third in the Southeast, defeated Colton 44-12. The question is whether O-H, which won the weaker of the two Northeast divisions, can bounce back this week.

1B: Pomeroy (5-4)

vs. Republic (9-1)

Friday at Kettle Falls, 7

At a glance: The Northeast North champion, Republic is headed into the playoffs on a roll. Republic has run off nine straight wins since a season-opening 36-34 setback to Entiat, also a playoff qualifier. Pomeroy earned the Southeast’s fourth seed and finished the regular season last week spanking Colton 54-0.

1B: Cusick (9-1)

vs. Touchet (8-1)

Saturday at Touchet, 1

At a glance: The Indians were state runners-up last year, but they’re coming off a 62-46 loss to league champion Liberty Christian. Cusick cruised through regular-season play before falling 33-30 to Republic two weeks ago in the game that decided the divisional title.