Defense could be key in Squalicum-W.F. West state game
Time: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
Site: Civic Stadium
Bearcats update
State appearances: 10
State record: 4-10
State titles: None
Scouting report: Evergreen Conference’s W.F. West won a thrilling triple overtime district game against Ridgefield last week. Ridgefield went for two in the third OT looking for a win, but W.F. West stopped the Spudders short to claim the victory. W.F. West trailed 17-0 in the third quarter before reeling off 17 straight to send the game into overtime. W.F. West quarterback Elijah Johnson threw for 224 yards and a touchdown and ran for 105 yards and three TDs on 26 carries. Bearcats wide receiver Austin Emery caught three passes for 70 yards and scored on a 44-yard pass from Johnson. W.F. West’s defense yielded 220 rush yards on 43 attempts.
Player to watch: Johnson can make plays with his feet or with his arm. He gives the Bearcats a strong leader under center and dynamic playmaker that can cause defense headaches.
Storm update
State appearances: 1
State record: 1-1
State titles: None
Scouting report: Squalicum scored in bunches last week during the Storm’s 54-12 Class 2A District Playoff win over Lakewood. Squalicum scored 21 points in the first before piling on 33 points during the second quarter, taking a 54-0 halftime edge. Triston Smith ran for 45 yards and two touchdowns, Will Nickelson rushed for 41 yards and two scores and Damek Mitchell and Garrett Sorenson each recorded rushing TDs. Sorenson completed 5 of 5 passes for 92 yards and threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Josiah Westbrook. The Storm defense limited Lakewood to 92 total yards (80 passing, 12 rushing). After never making the state playoffs before last year, Squalicum has now made back-to-back trips under second-year coach Nick Lucey.
Player to watch: Ben Peterson gets it done on both sides of the ball at receiver and safety. He’s a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
Key to the game: Squalicum’s starters didn’t get a full game last week with the Storm severely overmatching Lakewood, but Squalicum displayed its defensive dominance all night. The Storm’s defense yielded only 82 yards and one of Lakewood’s two TDs was a defensive score. W.F. West doesn’t own an ultra-dangerous offense, averaging 21.6 points per game, so if the Storm can play a similarly strong defensive game, Squalicum could roll again.
Prediction: Squalicum 28-7
This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Defense could be key in Squalicum-W.F. West state game."