2A football state bracket breakdown: Tumwater enters as the tournament’s top seed. Can anyone topple them?

Washington’s high school football state tournament begins this week. Here’s a look at the Class 2A bracket as play begins Friday night.

TEAM TO BEAT

Tumwater couldn’t defend their 2019 state title in a pandemic-shortened spring season, but they can now.

And this year, like they were two years ago, the T-Birds are the 2A tournament’s top seed.

For this group in particular, there’s a distinct urge to return to the state’s greatest stage. Many of Tumwater’s 31 seniors played on that championship team, and many remember the sting of tournament cancellations earlier this year that wiped away any chance of a repeat.

It was a frustrating time, coach Bill Beattie told The News Tribune. That’s when the team set their mind on a tournament return, even if the target is, admittedly, on their back.

“They’re going to work hard every week to prove that they deserve that one seed,” Beattie said.

They played just four games in their league, but Tumwater established themselves in a class of their own within the 2A Evergreen conference. They opened league play with a 34-0 win over W.F. West on Sep. 24, and followed that up with a 57-0 shellacking of Shelton on Oct. 8.

Black Hills became the first in-league team to score against Tumwater after a third-quarter touchdown in an Oct. 22 contest, but still lost, 50-7. A week later, Centralia gave it a shot, but Tumwater denied them, too, in a 48-6 rout.

They aren’t indestructible, but a 5A team from Oregon needed overtime in September to hand Tumwater their first loss in over two years. Camas, the fifth-seeded team in this year’s 4A tournament, beat the 2A T-Birds by just two points a month ago.

“It’s not so much about proving that we want to defend it for us,” Beattie said. “It’s more about (being) grateful to have the opportunity to have playoffs this year. And we’re going to take advantage of working hard to give us a shot of being the 2A 2021 state champs.

“Sure, in the back of their minds, it was bittersweet to go undefeated last year and not have a chance to go (for) that state title. Each year is a different year. We’re fortunate that we have this year, and we just keep working toward our goal.”

If you’re on Tumwater’s offense, you’re in luck, because there’s plenty to go around in Bill Beattie’s T-Wing offense. They boast 11 touchdown scorers, including Payton Hoyt’s 17 touchdowns as Tumwater’s lead back.

At quarterback, Brady Prothero entered the year as the T-Birds’ signal-caller, but those duties now fall on the shoulders of Alex Overbay, who took over the job midway through the season. He’s confident, and no situation is too big for him, Beattie said. That gets put to the test Friday, when Tumwater kicks off their first-round meeting with Spokane’s East Valley.

“We look at it, like, ‘what are teams trying to shut down, who are they trying to shut down,’ and that gives opportunities for someone else to step up,” Beattie said. “We take whatever teams (are) going to give us.”

If anything else sets Tumwater apart as this year’s 2A team to beat, it’s their experience at the state level. Some seniors won the 2019 title as sophomores.

They’ve done this before, and they want to do it again.

“A lot of memories are created when you have these opportunities,” Beattie said. “I think that really benefits this group as they go forward. They have a lot of experience being in these situations. And they enjoy being around each other.”

WHICH SOUTH SOUND TEAMS HAVE THE BEST SHOT TO MAKE A RUN?

If Tumwater does make the state title game, Steilacoom is a possible opponent, and a rematch would be on the line.

The T-Birds defeated Steilacoom in 2019’s 2A title game, winning 48-34. But just like Tumwater, Steilacoom boasts a hefty senior class -- 26, to be exact -- meaning several players on both squads have memories of the state’s most recent championship.

This year, the Sentinels are the sixth-seeded team in the 2A tournament, and are “itching” for their opportunity.

“A lot of these guys have grown up together playing youth Sentinel football,” coach Kyle Haller said. “So they’re excited for this run, one last time together, and (we’ll) see what happens.”

And Steilacoom hasn’t lost, entering a first-round matchup with Othello at Mount Tahoma High School on Saturday. They’re averaging over 36 points per game, and allow less than five in return.

De’Andre Napier and Jaycion Cain represent Steilacoom’s two-headed rushing attack, combining for eight touchdowns for the undefeated Sentinels. And senior Darius Dixon took seven carries for 113 yards in their latest win: a 60-0 shutout over Interlake that punched a ticket to the Round of 16.

“We’re healthy right now,” Haller said. “And we feel like we have our best football ahead of us still.”

A few miles north off Interstate 5, Fife secured their spot as the 15th-seeded team in this year’s bracket after a 28-21 win over Olympic last Friday. It’s possible for the Trojans meet Steilacoom in the semifinal round -- or Tumwater in the final -- but the Sentinels handled them earlier this season, 49-7. In that game, Steilacoom’s Napier exploded for three touchdowns on the ground, including a game-sealing 70-yard score.

Orting enters the tournament as the 12th seed, with Enumclaw at No. 9. Steilacoom beat those teams, too, but by smaller margins. The Sentinels toppled Orting by a single point in their second game of the year, and scored just 13 points in a win over Enumclaw -- their lowest point total all season.

Fife travels to Bellingham for a first-round matchup with second-ranked Lynden on Saturday. Orting travels to No. 5 Ridgefield for another Saturday contest, and No. 9 Enumclaw plays No. 8 Hockinson on Friday night.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS FROM SOUTH SOUND TEAMS

Alex Overbay, Tumwater: T-Birds quarterback who assumed starting duties midway through the season. Described by coach Bill Beattie as confident and relaxed. Threw five touchdown passes in Tumwater’s T-Wing offense.

Ryan Otton, Tumwater: Washington commit and four-star recruit who ranks among the top tight ends in the country. Tumwater spreads the ball around, but the 6’6” Otton still managed 228 yards and four touchdowns on just nine receptions. If he’s not scoring touchdowns, Otton’s plus-rated run blocking helps move the chains.

Austin Terry, Tumwater: Another tight end on the T-Birds, Terry’s three-star rating earned him 11 Division I offers, and committed to Boise State in June. Caught nine balls for 151 yards and three touchdowns.

Payton Hoyt, Tumwater: Tumwater’s lead back took 93 carries for 856 yards and 17 touchdowns. A threat to confuse defenders, Hoyt caught three passes this season, and threw three more, two going for touchdowns.

Sam Stowers and Nick Barnes, Steilacoom: A towering 6’4” duo on the Sentinel offensive and defensive lines. Both create Steilacoom’s running room on offense, and exactly the opposite on defense: “(they) force teams to bounce it… most teams can’t run away from us,” coach Kyle Haller said.

Cole Miller, Steilacoom: WR1 for the Sentinels. Dual-threat who can play quarterback, and damage opposing offenses from multiple positions. Took 35 touches for 688 yards and 11 touchdowns, and grabbed two interceptions as a defensive back.

De’Andre Napier, Steilacoom: A primary contributor for Steilacoom’s run-heavy offense. Took 52 carries for 528 yards and four touchdowns for the Sentinels, including a three-score game Oct. 29.

Dylan Watterson, Enumclaw: Hornets leader in receiving yards (326) and all-purpose yards (1,191). Named an all-league defensive back as a junior. Enumclaw QB Malcolm Harper said Watterson can play any position, and “be the best at it.”

Aidan Herd, Orting: Clear-cut leader in Orting rushing yards with 846, good for over nine and a half per tote. If it isn’t Herd in the Cardinals backfield, it’s Elijah Burbridge, who logged 15 touchdowns on just 60 carries.

Tino Asoau, Fife: The Trojans’ leader in all-purpose yards, Asoau’s versatility as both a tailback and receiver netted the senior five touchdowns in Fife’s first eight games. Averaged over 30 yards per catch en route to a total of 332.

FIRST-ROUND SCORE PREDICTIONS

No. 1 Tumwater vs. No. 16 East Valley (Spokane): East Valley finished third in the 2A Greater Spokane League and enters the game as a massive underdog against the defending state champion T-Birds. Tumwater’s Wing-T offense is expected to score early and often in this one. TNT pick: Tumwater 56, East Valley 7

No. 2 Lynden vs. No. 15 Fife: Lynden (8-1) comes into the state tournament as the No. 2 seed after winning the Northwest Conference, collecting wins over Hockinson and Sedro-Woolley along the way. The Lions were actually ranked below rival Squalicum in preseason, but the rivals have switched places since. The running attack features Lane Heeringa, averaging 82 yards per game while also starting at linebacker. Slowing Lynden down will be a difficult task for the 4-5 Trojans. TNT pick: Lynden 35, Fife 14

No. 3 North Kitsap vs. No. 14 Shadle Park: North Kitsap allowed less than nine points per game to opponents before completing a perfect 9-0 season. That streak should continue Saturday. TNT pick: North Kitsap 38, Shadle Park 17

No. 4 Squalicum vs. No. 13 Highline: Squalicum (6-2) enters the state tournament as the No. 4 seed after finishing second in the Northwest Conference, and that seeding might even be low. The Storm battled injuries early in the season, losing a close, rain-soaked road game to rival Lynden. Ben Schlenbaker, the school’s all-time rushing leader and a WSU commit, paces a bruising running game, while linebacker Bryson Lamb anchors a stingy defense. Since Oct. 1, Squalicum hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in a game, and have outscored opponents 121-33. Highline finished undefeated in 2A KingCo play, but weathering the Storm is a tall order. TNT pick: Squalicum 31, Highline 27

No. 5 Ridgefield vs. No. 12 Orting: Ridgefield won all ten of their games by an average margin of 32 points. Orting needs to keep pace for a chance against the Spudders. The good news? Orting has played every opponent tough, even in losses. The Cardinals lost to Steilacoom by just a point and to Enumclaw by a touchdown. Expect a dogfight. TNT pick: Ridgefield 33, Orting 31

No. 6 Steilacoom vs. No. 11 Othello: Steilacoom’s defense allowed 4.9 points per game to opponents, with a menacing defensive line, an experienced senior class and a ton of team speed. That’s a tough average to sustain, but the Sentinels haven’t lost, and remain the favorite on Saturday afternoon. TNT pick: Steilacoom 31, Othello 14

No. 7 Prosser vs. No. 10 W.F. West: Could we see an upset? Prosser’s only loss came in week one, but W.F. West’s high-flying offense could turn this one into a shootout. TNT pick: W.F. West 42, Prosser 35

No. 8 Hockinson vs. No. 9 Enumclaw: Hockinson hasn’t lost since Sep. 17, and their offense scored 38 points per game in a 7-2 season. Enumclaw’s 8-2 finish makes for a close matchup between the neighboring seeds in the 2A bracket. TNT pick: Hockinson 31, Enumclaw 24

This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "2A football state bracket breakdown: Tumwater enters as the tournament’s top seed. Can anyone topple them?."