Meridian looking to exact revenge on Hoquiam in 1A first round

Time: 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14

Site: Stewart Field, Aberdeen

Trojans update

State appearances: 21

State record: 29-18

State titles: 3 (1999, 2003, 2006)

Scouting report: After giving up a touchdown to open last week’s Class 1A District Playoff game against Cedar Park Christian, Meridian scored 42 straight points to earn a decisive 42-6 win. Running back Nick Dritsas ran for 99 yards on 13 carries and caught six passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Marcus McGuinn caught four passes for 76 yards and a score and also ran for a touchdown. Meridian QB Simon Burkett completed 10 of 12 passes for 181 yards and three TDs, while Tony Schleimer ran for 113 yards and a score. Meridian’s defense limited Cedar Park Christian to 76 total yards, inlcuding negative 11 yards during the second half. Meridian’s three on-field losses this year come against teams with a combined 27-2 record.

Player to watch: Nick Dritsas owns game-breaking speed and is a well-rounded offensive threat. He can score out of the backfield or split out wide. The senior will need a big game in order for the Trojans to advance.

Grizzlies update

State appearances: 11

State record: 4-11

State titles: None

Scouting report: Hoquiam earned District 4’s No. 1 seed with a regular-season 35-0 win over Aberdeen two weeks ago. The Grizzlies took a 19-0 halftime lead thanks to two touchdown passes by Hoquiam quarterback Gregory Dick. Sophomore running back Sean McAllister ran for 183 yards and scored on a 43-yard first-half touchdown run. Hoquiam defender Trystan Skorzewski ran a fumble back for a touchdown, which was the Grizzlies’ sixth defensive touchdown of the season. Hoquiam has reached the state playoffs four of the past five years and won a non-league game against Meridian 36-21 to start the season.

Player to watch: Hoquiam quarterback Gregory Dick stands tall at 6-foot-5 and can sling the ball around. He threw for a single-season school-record 21 touchdowns this year and had three against Meridian during Week 1.

Key to the game: The Trojans fell behind early during the first meeting. If Meridian can slow down Hoquiam’s passing attack, it has dynamic enough of an offense to move on.

Prediction: Hoquiam 28-21

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 2:23 PM with the headline "Meridian looking to exact revenge on Hoquiam in 1A first round."