Washington state football semifinals

4A

Ferris Saxons (11-1) vs. Skyline Spartans (12-0), 1 p.m., Joe Albi Stadium: On paper the Saxons have a tall order, but who expected Lewis and Clark to win state last year? Offensively, Skyline is potent. Junior quarterback Jake Heaps is 162 of 252 with three interceptions, 2,489 yards and 33 touchdowns. Senior Gino Simone and sophomore Kasen Williams are his top receivers. Williams has 49 catches for 839 yards and 12 TDs. He also has a 69-yard interception return TD and was in on 30 tackles. Simone has 46 catches for 761 yards and 13 TDs, rushed 10 times for 150 yards and a score, has 45 tackles (32 solo) five for losses and four interceptions. He’s returned five kickoffs for 247 yards and two touchdowns and 15 punts for 336 yards and two more TDs. Defensively, the starters have allowed one touchdown all year. Junior linebacker Anthony Dematteo has 94 tackles (56 solo), 12 for losses and four sacks. Senior lineman 250-pound Rob Tramonte added 52 tackles. “One thing is the kids know them. We do have to really keep things in front of us,” said Ferris coach Jim Sharkey, “and make them earn every point. They’re such quick scorers.” The Saxons are in their second straight state semifinal, have lost four of 35 games over three years, and have the advantage of playing at home. Junior quarterback Connor Halliday is 150 of 257 for 2,125 yards with 9 interceptions. Seven different players have shared 1,600 yards rushing. Aaron Roberts catches, runs, throws and defends. He has 66 receptions for 1,013 yards and 10 TDs. Garrett Saiki has 41 catches for 692 yards and 9 scores. Jordan Tonani has 34 catches for 373 yards. “To win games like this,” said Sharkey, “you have to catch breaks and get turnovers.”

2B

Asotin Panthers (11-1) vs. Colfax Bulldogs (11-0), 1 p.m., Martin Stadium, Pullman: There is more that makes these teams similar in addition to their matching 11 wins. “My offense was not patented,” Bulldogs coach Mike Morgan said. “I stole all my stuff from somebody. Their offense is almost identical to ours. Put blue and gold on them and that’s Colfax out there.” The difference is experience. The Panthers have more than a dozen seniors who were part of a program that won a state title two years ago and made the semifinals last year. Colfax has just four seniors. But Asotin coach Sal Lopez isn’t fooled. “They’re so well coached, very disciplined and they know the philosophy,” he said. “It’s hard to find a weakness in their armor.” The Panthers lost at Idaho playoff participant Grangeville 28-21 the second game of the season and have rolled up 516 points while allowing 181. Quarterback Creighton Alford is 112 of 176 and has thrown for 1,980 yards, Cole Caldwell and Perry Black his main targets. He’s one of four backs who split up the carries, led by D.J. Darnall – a state wrestling placer at Clarkston in 2006 – with nearly 1,000 yards. Colfax has a 339-114 scoring differential. It is led by senior backs Joe Cammack and Ethan Smith, with roughly 2,000 yards between them, sophomore quarterback Alex Teade and junior receiver Will Hatley.

1B

Cusick Panthers (12-0) vs. LaCrosse-Washtucna-Kahlotus Tigercats (11-0), 4 p.m., Albi Stadium: The Tigercats return to the semifinals after missing two years following four straight state titles. This year they’re back, outscoring opponents 568-214. Garrett Blauert rushed 230 times for 2,222 yards and Justin Aune threw for 1,350 yards and 20 touchdowns. “He’s started off and on for three years,” said coach Jeff Nelson. “Teams that are selling out on the run, he’s made them pay.” Defensive ends Beaux Martin and Gary Marmes will be asked to contain the Panthers’ Spencer Shanholtzer. “We can’t let him dominate the game, passing or taking off and running,” Nelson said. “We have to get good pressure.” Shanholtzer has passed for 2,012 yards and 31 touchdowns and Dustin Villegas has 1,384 rushing yards and 23 TDs for Cusick, which has outscored its foes 615-143.

Mike Vlahovich and Dave Trimmer