Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

PREP FOOTBALL: Capsules for Nov. 20

NOOKSACK VALLEY AT KING'S

Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20

Site: Woolsey Stadium

Pioneers update: Nooksack Valley cruised past La Center and into the Class 1A state quarterfinals with a 49-21 win last week on the road. Perhaps most encouraging for the Pioneers was the success of its passing game, which topped the 300-yard mark for the first time this season and shredded La Center. A little less encouraging was the play of its defense and special teams which gave up some big plays and had trouble shutting down the Wildcats in the first half. The good news for Nooksack Valley is that those defensive struggles were uncharacteristic of the way the team has played this season and should be something it can shake off. Offensively the Pioneers are rolling, averaging 45 points a game in the last two wins.

Knights update: King's blocked an extra point in overtime to knock off Onalaska 28-27 last week and send the team to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The Knights have been a high-scoring team this season, averaging 39 points a game. The 28 points they scored against Onalaska was their lowest output of the season, matching the 28 they put up against Archbishop Murphy. King's is led by quarterback Thomas Vincent and linebacker/nose guard Paul Lutgen. Vincent is a fast and able runner with a solid arm while Lutgen was an all-state pick last season and makes plays all over the field.

Key to the game: King's has good speed and some talented skill players. The Pioneers will need to slow them down and that task will fall to their front seven on defense.

Player to watch: Nooksack Valley's Anthony Reese has been nearly impossible to stop in the postseason. He has 11 catches for 268 yards and five touchdowns in the Pioneers' last two wins.

LUMMI AT WISHKAH VALLEY

Time: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20

Site: Tumwater Stadium

Blackhawks update: It's a rematch of a Week 1 contest as Lummi gets Wishkah Valley in the opening round of the Class 1B state playoffs. The Blackhawks had little trouble with Taholah last week, winning 68-16 to lock up their sixth consecutive trip to state. Lummi dropped the Loggers 58-12 at home to start the season, but a lot has changed since then. In that game David James took most of the snaps at quarterback, now he's back at wide receiver. And the Blackhawks have since proved that their outstanding defense and the emergence of their running game against Wishkah Valley was no fluke.

Loggers update: After opening the season with two losses, including a 58-12 loss to Lummi, Wishkah Valley has run off nine consecutive wins to reach the Class 1B state playoffs. The Loggers got to rest last week, winning their contest with Highland Christian by forfeit, so they should be ready for the Blackhawks. Wishkah Valley couldn't get much going on offense in the first meeting, but has improved. The Loggers are led by wide receiver Daniel Wareham and quarterback Nathan Marsh.

Key to the game: It took Lummi less than three quarters to rack up 58 points against Wishkah Valley in its season opener. The points might not come quite as easily at state but the Blackhawks sure will try.

Player to watch: David James has had a remarkable season. He'll look to keep it going in the state playoffs.

LYNDEN AT SEQUIM

Time: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21

Site: Silverdale Stadium

Lions update: Once again Lynden's defense came up big, this time holding off Black Hills 14-7 in the opening round of the Class 2A state playoffs last week. The Lions did just enough to slow running back Cody Peterson with a goal-line stand and a late fumble by Peterson helping Lynden to a win. Offensively it wasn't the prettiest performance by the Lions, but it was enough to advance and that's all that matters this time of year. Lynden has to be a little concerned with the inconsistent play of its offense lately, but it still has the ability to put up lots of points on any given night and the team has learned to be very patient over the last two seasons. As long as the Lions are more concerned with winning than generating statistics and points things should be fine.

Wolves update: Sequim outlasted Burlington-Edison 34-32 last week to earn the right to host a Class 2A state quarterfinals game. It's the first trip to the quarters for the Wolves in school history. They lost in the opening round in each of the last three seasons. Sequim is led by running back Travis Decker and wide receiver John Textor. Decker's rushed for 1,393 yards this season and 25 touchdowns. He was named the most valuable player of the Olympic/Nisqually league. Textor was a first team all-league pick after hauling in 41 catches for 709 yards. He's one of three Sequim receivers with at least 20 catches. That means quarterback Drew Rickerson does a good job distributing the ball. He's thrown 22 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Look for Clancy Catelli to be a play-maker on defense.

Key to the game: It's the second week in a row the Lions have faced a top running back, so holding Travis Decker in check will be important. He rushed for at least 100 yards in all but two games and has only failed to reach the end zone once this season.

Player to watch: If Lynden is going to get back to the state semifinals it's going to do so with a lot of help from quarterback Jordan Hastings' arm and legs.