Lummi seeking fourth straight trip to 1B state semifinals

Quilcene at Lummi

Time: 1 p.m. Saturday

Site: Lummi Nation School

Rangers update

State appearances: 4

State record: 1-3

State semifinal appearances: None

State titles: None

League: SeaTac League (placed third, 2-2)

Coach: Byron Wilson (second seaon, 14-5)

Scouting report: Quilcene took advantage of Taholah’s 10 turnovers, Rangers quarterback Eli Harrison ran for a touchdown, passed for one and scored on an interception and Quilcene earned a 56-8 Class 1B State Playoff opening-round win last week. The win was the first state playoff win in program history and came in the Rangers’ fourth trip to state. The Rangers took advantage of eight first-half Taholah turnovers, scoring 42 points by the second quarter to get the running clock going with 6:37 left in the first half. Quilcene is back in the state playoffs for the second straight year, but before 2014 the Rangers hadn’t been to state since 1984. The Rangers’ two losses this year came against Seattle Lutheran (48-12) and Evergreen Lutheran (28-8), which Lummi handled 50-0 last week. The Rangers advanced to state with a 46-44 district win over Tulalip Heritage on Nov. 6

Player to watch: Eli Harrison seems to be Quilcene’s top playmaker. Not only is he a strong quarterback, but he is an even better player in the Rangers’ secondary. Harrison, a Class 1B first-team all-state selection last fall, should help stem Lummi’s passing game.

Blackhawks update

State appearances: 12

State record: 14-10

State semifinal appearances: Eight

State titles: 1 (2010)

League: Northwest 1B League (second, 3-1)

Coach: Jim Sandusky (13 seasons, 125-32)

Scouting report: Lummi received strong performances from a number of different players to earn a dominating 50-0 Class 1B State Playoff opening-round win over previously undefeated Evergreen Lutheran last week. The victory advanced the Blackhawks to the state quarterfinals for the 12th consecutive season. Lummi opened up a 44-0 halftime lead and easily handled Evergreen Lutheran. Quarterback Jonathan Casimir threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns, Raven Borsey had 43 receiving yards and a touchdown and Hank Hoskins ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. He also caught a TD pass. Since losing to Neah Bay 62-12 on Oct. 16, the Blackhawks are 5-0 and have scored 50 or more points in all but one game. Their two posteason wins have come by a combind 106-8 score. The Blackhawks will attempt to make the state semifinals for the fourth straight year.

Player to watch: Trazil Lane has added an abundance of athleticism since joining the Blackhawks, and he’s a player all defenses need to be aware of. He has game-changing abilities, and those should be on display during the state quarterfinals.

Key to the game: Based off looking at common opponent, this one shouldn’t be much of a contest. Lummi beat Evergreen Lutheran last week 50-0, and Quilcene lost to Evergreen Lutheran 28-8 during the regular season. But games aren’t played on paper, and Lummi needs to ensure it isn’t looking ahead to a potential semifinal matchup with Neah Bay. If the Blackhawks can play anything like they did last week, they should win handily.

Prediction: Lummi 54-20

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Lummi seeking fourth straight trip to 1B state semifinals."