Squalicum, Tumwater meet in 2A state quarterfinals again

Tumwater at Squalicum

Time: 7 p.m. Saturday

Site: Civic Stadium

Thunderbirds update

State appearances: 25

State record: 41-19

State semifinal appearances: 13

State titles: 5 (1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2010)

League: Evergreen 2A (first, 3-0)

Coach: Sid Otton (42 seasons at Tumwater, 48 overall, 383-129)

Scouting report: Top-ranked Tumwater scored 40 or more points for the 10th time during a 55-14 Class 2A State Playoff opening-round win over Franklin Pierce last week. Running back Jarid Barret rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, Spencer Dowers completed 4 of 9 passes for 103 yards and two TDs and Cade Otton had three catches for 79 yards and a score. Tumwater raced out to a 28-0 first-quarter lead, but after Franklin Pierce trimmed the lead to 28-14, the Thunderbirds reeled off 27 unanswered points. Tumwater has outscored teams this season 522-121. Wide receiver Griffin Shea was selected this year’s Evergreen Conference Player of the Year. Coaching legend Sid Otton is the winngest high school football coach in Washington state history with 383 victories.

Player to watch: Junior linebacker and 2A Evergreen Defensive Player of the Year Cade Otton leads the Thunderbirds in tackles, receptions and receiving touchdowns. He uses his 6-foot-5 frame to snag passes out the air from his tight end spot, and the Storm will have to account for him on each side of the ball.

Storm update

State appearances: 1

State record: 2-1

State titles: None

League: Northwest Conference 2A/3A (first, 7-0)

Coach: Nick Lucey (second season, 20-3)

Scouting report: Squalicum’s Ben Peterson converted a 24-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to lift the undefeated Storm to a nail-biting 31-29 Class 2A State Playoff opening-round win against W.F. West last week at Civic Stadium. The Storm trailed 29-28 with 2:10 left in the fourth following a W.F. West touchdown and 2-point conversion, but QB Garrett Sorenson quickly navigated Squalicum’s offense down to the Bearcats’ 7, setting up Peterson’s game-winner. The Storm’s run game struggled mightily, accumulating only 19 yards on 22 attempts, and Sorenson completed 17 of 30 passes for 249 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a score. Peterson logged a team-high 132 receiving yards on six catches and scored on a 58-yard interception return. The Storm now return to the state quarters, the same round Squalicum lost to Tumwater 59-33 a year ago.

Player to watch: Tumwater owns one of the best 2A offensive attacks in the state, so Squalicum will need a big effort out of its defense. Senior linebacker Creighton Kaui is one of those players who will have the opportunity to make a large impact.

Key to the game: Squalicum has been able to lean on its defense all season, so it’s a bit concerning the unit yielded 446 total yards of offense to W.F. West last week. The Bearcats’ offense is quality, but Tumwater’s is better. The Storm will need to stay disciplined against the Thunderbirds’ predominant Wing-T attack, play physical and be sound tacklers. If Squalicum can do that, plus get its run game going, it has a chance. If one thing is for certain, Squalicum’s motivation won’t be lacking following last year’s state playoff quarterfinal loss to the T-Birds.

Prediction: Tumwater 42-28

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Squalicum, Tumwater meet in 2A state quarterfinals again."