Sam Adams is back in the game.
He was never really out of it, but he kept playing defense. I ignorantly went on the offense and paid the price. Now Sam and I are tied at 44-16 (.733). Sam was 5-1 last week and I slumped in at 3-3.
The play-in games are over and the stakes get much higher this week.
We don’t have any differences this week but that will only serve to make the next week or two more intriguing.
Lake City at Mountain View, Friday, 6
Lee: The Timberwolves are looking to get back to the state title game for the first time since 2006. Mountain View, which opened in 2003, has never been to a title game. LC overcame some difficulties, especially defensively, last week against the second-ranked defense out of Boise. This week the T-Wolves face the top-ranked defense. The Mavericks forced seven turnovers last week. If LC can shore up some offensive inconsistencies from last week and just be LC, this is a very winnable game even on the road. Mountain View lost early to Rocky Mountain (30-6) and Capital (45-16) – teams LC beat – but the Mavericks have won seven in a row. LC’s weapons need to get loose a couple of times to give the defense some wiggle room. LC 30, MV 27.
Adams: At one point not so long ago we had three IEL 5A teams in the postseason. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that we would have one, if not two, of those teams in the state semifinals. But now the Timberwolves are the last North Idaho team standing after an overtime victory over Capital. The game was a much-needed test, and the T-Wolves get a much easier draw this time around, though it will come on the road. LC 41, MV 35.
Freeman at Zillah, Friday, 6
Lee: The Scotties must start on the road by virtue of finishing second in league. But winning playoff games on the road won’t be anything new for Freeman. Last year, the Scotties won a big road game at Royal not to mention ultimately the title game in Tacoma. The playoff bracket sets up for what we all want to see – a semifinal showdown, most likely at Albi Stadium, between Freeman and Colville. The Scotties have their attention solely focused on Zillah. Marcus Goldbach will find his way to the end zone enough. Freeman 36, Zillah 21.
Adams: Freeman has responded from its lone loss this season (Colville) to win its last three games by a combined 135-28. Yeah, I’d say that lit a fire under the Scotties a little bit. They’ll need it when they hit the road at Zillah. Home field was the difference for this Scotties team one year ago when it won the 1A title. So the Scotties have to scratch and claw their way back to the top of the mountain. It starts Friday. Freeman 21, Zillah 13.
La Salle at Colville, Friday, 7
Lee: No disrespect here but it doesn’t matter what the name on the uniform of the opponent is as far as Colville is concerned. The Indians earned a home playoff game and they should flourish behind Colton Vining and teammates. And don’t forget what is probably the best asset on this team – defense. Colville 39, La Salle 13.
Adams: The scariest part about Colville’s perfect NEA season is it got better and better with each passing week. Colton Vining is the real deal and could easily rack up 200 yards on the ground Friday. Colville 28, La Salle 14.
Todd Beamer at Gonzaga Prep, Saturday, 1
Lee: The Titans of Todd Beamer, a school in Federal Way, are big and physical. You know what beats big and physical? Speed. Expect the Bullpups to use the speed option element and less of the up the gut attack. So that means a healthy serving of the St. Nicks – Nick Wood and Nick Johnson. G-Prep’s defense is poised to cause problems, too. G-Prep 38, Todd Beamer 13.
Adams: The Bullpups’ stellar defense has regressed a bit in each of the last two weeks, and I don’t picture G-Prep as the type of team that relishes a high-scoring shootout. Luckily for G-Prep the draw is favorable to open the 4A playoffs. G-Prep 35, Todd Beamer 21.
Auburn Mountainview vs. Shadle Park, Saturday, Albi, 1
Lee: A friend who covers AM on the West Side tells me this team finished third in a very good league. AM’s strength is an athletic, opportunistic secondary. They’ve had double digit interceptions. So they should present quite the challenge for Shadle. It’s doubtful the Lions have faced an NCAA Division I caliber quarterback like Brett Rypien. His receivers don’t possess breakaway speed but they keep the chains moving. And that’s critical when you get to the playoffs. Shadle 41, AM 33.
Adams: It’s been an up-and-down season for the Highlanders. They can ill afford any bumps as they are in must-win mode from here on out. There’s no question the Shadle offense will be there, but will the defense step up this week? Probably just enough as has been the case most of the season. Shadle 28, AM 21.
Wilson vs. Mt. Spokane, Saturday, Albi, 4
Lee: The Rams are legit, and their strength is defense. They held high-scoring, spread passing Lincoln of Tacoma, coached by former NFL QB Jon Kitna, to 12 points in a 12-3 loss. Wilson’s problem is injuries. The Rams’ depth is thin. This will probably be a low-scoring game. But I like the way the Wildcats have been playing the last month, led by quarterback Matt Pulliam. And Mt. Spokane’s defense is outstanding. Mt. Spokane 24, Wilson 14.
Adams: Did Mt. Spokane just become a legitimate 3A playoff contender? It appears so after a string of six straight wins since back-to-back losses to G-Prep and Sandpoint back in September. The Wildcats may have to pass more than they would prefer, but Matt Pulliam and company should be up to the task. Mt. Spokane 28, Wilson 17.
