Vote now for The News Tribune’s high school football game of the week

Jon Manley, Lauren Smith

Vote now for The News Tribune’s high school football game of the week.

Voting remains open until noon Thursday.

Read about the top five games in the South Sound in Week 9 below, plus our prediction for the state game of the week.

Curtis quarterback Rocco Koch scramlbes between Graham-Kapowsin defenders Ethan Pletcher (left) and Josh Massey during Saturday’s football game at Art Crate Field in Spanaway, Washington, Oct. 8, 2022. Graham-Kapowsin won the game, 24-19.
Curtis quarterback Rocco Koch scramlbes between Graham-Kapowsin defenders Ethan Pletcher (left) and Josh Massey during Saturday’s football game at Art Crate Field in Spanaway, Washington, Oct. 8, 2022. Graham-Kapowsin won the game, 24-19.

4A SPSL

PUYALLUP VIKINGS (6-2) VS. CURTIS VIKINGS (5-3)

7 p.m. Saturday, Viking Stadium, University Place

Puyallup’s league title hopes were dashed with a 13-12 loss to Bellarmine Prep last weekend in Tacoma, in which the Vikings were held to three second-half points. Puyallup will look to get three-star receiver recruit Malachi Durant involved in the passing game downfield against a young Curtis team. Curtis has one of the state’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in Rocco Koch, who threw for three touchdowns in last week’s win over South Kitsap and rushed for another.

TNT pick: Curtis, 24-23

Auburn Riverside wide receiver Carter Rhooms (11) runs down the field with the ball after catching a punt in the first quarter of a game against Kennedy Catholic at Auburn Memorial Stadium in Auburn, Wash. on Oct. 6, 2022.
Auburn Riverside wide receiver Carter Rhooms (11) runs down the field with the ball after catching a punt in the first quarter of a game against Kennedy Catholic at Auburn Memorial Stadium in Auburn, Wash. on Oct. 6, 2022.

3A NPSL

AUBURN TROJANS (7-1) VS. AUBURN RIVERSIDE RAVENS (4-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Auburn Memorial Stadium, Auburn

A rematch of last September’s 40-38 thriller — which Auburn Riverside won on the final play on its way to an unbeaten league championship — has 3A NPSL title implications this fall. Since a season-opening nonleague loss to Prairie, quarterback Amari Goodfellow and Auburn have rattled off seven consecutive victories, including outscoring five league opponents to this point — in Auburn Mountainview, Thomas Jefferson, Kent-Meridian, Kentlake and Todd Beamer — 217-44. A Week 9 win would secure an undefeated 3A NPSL title, but Auburn has to best the defending league champs this week to get there. The Ravens won their first four league games convincingly against Thomas Jefferson, Kent-Meridian, Kentlake and Todd Beamer. For much of the regular season, it seemed both programs would enter this contest with undefeated 3A NPSL records, but Auburn Mountainview upended the Ravens, 20-14, last week, handing them their first league loss.

TNT pick: Auburn, 35-32

Lincoln wide receiver DJ Ervin is lifted by teammate TJ Tusi as they celebrate Ervin’s touchdown reception during Saturday afternoon’s football game against the Lakes Lancers at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, on Oct. 22, 2022.
Lincoln wide receiver DJ Ervin is lifted by teammate TJ Tusi as they celebrate Ervin’s touchdown reception during Saturday afternoon’s football game against the Lakes Lancers at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, on Oct. 22, 2022.

3A PCL

LINCOLN ABES (8-0) VS. SPANAWAY LAKE SENTINELS (6-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Art Crate Field, Spanaway

The 3A PCL title will be decided Friday night. Will Lincoln sweep the league for the second season in a row? Or will Spanaway Lake snap the Abes’ undefeated record? Both programs enter the game with a 5-0 league record, having bested Bonney Lake, Lakes, Mount Tahoma, Silas and Stadium. Missouri commit Gabarri Johnson (2,694 total yards, 28 total TDs) guides one of the highest-scoring offenses in 3A. Quarterback Dempsy James (945 total yards, 14 total TDs), running back D’Aryhian Clemons (879 rushing yards, seven TDs) and Oklahoma commit Jasiah Wagoner have paced the Sentinels this fall. Lincoln won last season’s contest, 41-14, on the way to the 3A PCL title. During the shortened spring season seven months before, Spanaway Lake shocked the Abes in a 34-7 win on the way to a league title. Lincoln holds leads the series, 5-1, since the league was created ahead of the 2016 season.

TNT pick: Lincoln, 30-27

Lakes running back Leo Pulalasi breaks loose on the Lincoln defense during Saturday afternoon’s football game at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, on Oct. 22, 2022.
Lakes running back Leo Pulalasi breaks loose on the Lincoln defense during Saturday afternoon’s football game at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, on Oct. 22, 2022.

3A PCL

MOUNT TAHOMA T-BIRDS (4-4) VS. LAKES LANCERS (5-2)

7 p.m. Thursday, Harry E. Lang Stadium, Lakewood

Another key 3A PCL contest as the postseason approaches. The Lancers are looking to regroup from a pair of losses to Spanaway Lake (16-15) and Lincoln (42-28) in the span of six days last week after outscoring their first five opponents, 258-79, in comfortable victories. BYU commit Leo Pulalasi, Oregon State commit David Wells and Ki’Marree Washington have combined for 2,649 all-purpose yards and 37 of Lakes’ 44 total touchdowns through seven games. Mount Tahoma’s two league losses are also to Lincoln and Spanaway Lake. After opening the season with four consecutive defeats, the T-Birds have posted four double-digit wins over Battle Ground, Bonney Lake, Stadium and Silas. Quarterback Derrik McKinney leads Mount Tahoma in both passing (1,311 yards, 13 TDs) and rushing (761 yards, 10 TDs).

TNT pick: Lakes, 24-21

Tumwater running back Carlos Matheney tries to power through North Kitsap linebackers Billy Staley (56) and Ethan Guerra during Friday night’s 2A football game at Tumwater District Stadium in Tumwater, Washington, on Sept. 9, 2022. Tumwater won the game, 8-6.
Tumwater running back Carlos Matheney tries to power through North Kitsap linebackers Billy Staley (56) and Ethan Guerra during Friday night’s 2A football game at Tumwater District Stadium in Tumwater, Washington, on Sept. 9, 2022. Tumwater won the game, 8-6.

2A EvCo

BLACK HILLS WOLVES (5-2) VS. TUMWATER T-BIRDS (7-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Tumwater District Stadium, Tumwater

Since a late September loss to W.F. West, Tumwater has gotten back on track, beating Aberdeen, Shelton and Rochester comfortably. T-Birds running back Carlos Matheney continues to put up big numbers, rushing for 123 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win. Black Hills has turned things around this season and has a winning mark in 2A EvCo play with wins over Rochester, Centralia and Shelton. Running back Johnnie Stallings has been a workhorse for the Wolves this fall and has also featured in the passing game. The Pioneer Bowl has been a fairly one-sided rivalry — Black Hills has defeated Tumwater just three times since 2004. According to Tumwater football’s Twitter page, 100 percent of ticket sales and donations will go toward finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease in honor of Sally Otton, who died in September. Sally Otton was the wife of Tumwater defensive coordinator Tim Otton and mom of Kylie, Cade and Ryan.

TNT pick: Tumwater, 35-21

Glacier Peak’s River Lien draws back to pass against Snohomish Friday night at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington on September 2, 2022. Glacier Peak led 28-0 at the half. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Glacier Peak’s River Lien draws back to pass against Snohomish Friday night at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington on September 2, 2022. Glacier Peak led 28-0 at the half. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

STATE GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKE STEVENS VIKINGS (6-2) VS. GLACIER PEAK GRIZZLIES (7-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens

Regardless of which way this matchup between top-five teams goes, it should tell us a lot about the 4A landscape heading into the playoffs. Lake Stevens has the state’s best running back in Notre Dame commit Jayden Limar, who holds 19 offers. Since a Week 4 blowout loss to West Linn (Ore.), the Vikings have been on a tear, beating Eastlake, Mariner and Kamiak convincingly. Glacier Peak is the state’s top-ranked team and has won games in similarly convincing fashion, outscoring opponents, 325-118, this season. Quarterback River Lien (1,428 passing yards, 25 TDs, 4 INTs) is one of the state’s top quarterbacks and is in full command of the Grizzlies’ offense. Trey Leckner (501 receiving yards, 11 TDs) is Lien’s top target.

TNT pick: Glacier Peak, 35-28

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