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 and we’ll be there to cover it. Voting remains open until noon Thursday.

Read about the top five games in the South Sound in Week 5 below, plus our prediction for the state game of the week.

Kennedy Catholic defensive lineman Ish Taliauli celebrates after sacking Kentwood quarterback Anthony Tucker in the second quarter of a 4A NPSL game on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at French Field in Kent, Wash.
Kennedy Catholic defensive lineman Ish Taliauli celebrates after sacking Kentwood quarterback Anthony Tucker in the second quarter of a 4A NPSL game on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at French Field in Kent, Wash.

4A NPSL

Kennedy Catholic Lancers (3-1) vs. Federal Way Eagles (3-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Federal Way Memorial Stadium, Federal Way

Kennedy Catholic is known for its high-flying Air Raid offense. Federal Way’s secondary, which includes multiple Division I recruits, is one of the most talented in the state. What happens when the two go head-to-head? Whichever program prevails in this midseason matchup will be in the driver’s seat to win this season’s 4A NPSL title. Kennedy Catholic, the three-time defending champion, hasn’t lost a league contest since the 2018 season. The Lancers enter the week on a three-game winning streak, routing Highline (41-6) and NPSL opponents Kentwood (44-13) and Decatur (52-0) after a season-opening loss to 3A power Eastside Catholic (26-14). Federal Way regrouped last week with a rout of Kentridge (42-7) in its league opener following a loss to 4A favorite Lake Stevens (63-21). The Eagles also posted earlier wins over 3A NPSL opponents Todd Beamer (60-6) and Thomas Jefferson (33-0).

TNT pick: Kennedy Catholic, 45-38

Sumner running back Steele Isaaccs escapes a tackle attempt by Puyallup’s Andrew Cody as he runs up field during the second quarter of a 4A SPSL game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash.
Sumner running back Steele Isaaccs escapes a tackle attempt by Puyallup’s Andrew Cody as he runs up field during the second quarter of a 4A SPSL game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash.

4A SPSL

Sumner Spartans (3-1) vs. Graham-Kapowsin Eagles (3-1)

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

This series, which features two perennial 4A SPSL powers, has had some thrilling contests since the Spartans joined the league in 2016. That first season, Connor Wedington stunned the Eagles with an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and the Spartans went on to win, 34-27, on their way to an undefeated league title. Graham-Kapowsin, led by quarterback Dylan Morris, answered in 2017 with a 34-28 win that started a string of five consecutive victories. Graham-Kapowsin — the three-time defending league champion which also won an undefeated 4A state title last fall — has won each of the past four meetings by at least two touchdowns. How will the seventh season of this 4A SPSL rivalry unfold? Sumner enters the week with momentum after posting a convincing 30-point win over valley rival Puyallup (40-10), and has earlier wins over Bellarmine Prep (22-16) and Curtis (35-28), and a loss to Emerald Ridge (28-18). Graham-Kapowsin routed Rogers (56-0) in its season-opener before Puyallup ended its 27-game 4A SPSL winning streak in Week 2 with a 30-13 loss. The Eagles won their next two games against Olympia (28-17) and Bellarmine Prep (23-0).

TNT pick: Sumner, 28-24

Gig Harbor quarterback Will Landram is wrapped up by Penisula defensive lineman Grady Johnson to prevent a game-tying two-point conversion during Friday night’s Fish Bowl crosstown rivalry football game at Roy Anderson Field in Purdy, Washington, on Sept. 16, 2022. Peninsula won the game, 39-30.
Gig Harbor quarterback Will Landram is wrapped up by Penisula defensive lineman Grady Johnson to prevent a game-tying two-point conversion during Friday night’s Fish Bowl crosstown rivalry football game at Roy Anderson Field in Purdy, Washington, on Sept. 16, 2022. Peninsula won the game, 39-30.

3A SSC

Timberline Blazers (3-1) vs. Gig Harbor Tides (3-1)

7 p.m. Thursday, Roy Anderson Field, Purdy

Yelm remains the clear favorite in the 3A SSC and Peninsula’s win over Gig Harbor in the Fish Bowl puts the Seahawks in a good position, too. That makes this matchup important for playoff positioning. Gig Harbor is coming off a 44-21 win over Capital and Timberline blanked Central Kitsap last week, 37-0. Gig Harbor quarterback Will Landram (803 yards, 8 TDs) and running back Blaze Herbert (480 yards, 3 TDs) have the Tides’ offense humming.

TNT pick: Gig Harbor, 28-27

Enumclaw running back Emmit Otero breaks through a tackle attempt by Fife’s Drew Francis as he scores a touchdown in the second quarter of 2A SPSL game on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at Fife High School in Fife, Wash.
Enumclaw running back Emmit Otero breaks through a tackle attempt by Fife’s Drew Francis as he scores a touchdown in the second quarter of 2A SPSL game on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at Fife High School in Fife, Wash.

2A SPSL

Steilacoom Sentinels (3-1) vs. Enumclaw Hornets (4-0)

7 p.m. Thursday, Pete’s Pool, Enumclaw

Both teams come into the game undefeated in 2A SPSL play, and both are coming off entertaining wins in Week 4. Enumclaw defeated Fife on the road in a slugfest, paced by senior running back Emmit Otero’s 127 yards and three touchdowns. Steilacoom, meanwhile, won a shootout at home against Franklin Pierce. Running back Jaycion Cain racked up 204 yards of total offense, rushing for 174 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, while adding two more scores on three receptions for 30 yards.

TNT pick: Enumclaw, 35-29

In the safety-saving play of the game, Tumwater punter Xavier Ickert carries a muffed snap punt out of the back of the end zone in front of North Kitsap defensive back Morgan Paul during Friday night’s 2A football game at Tumwater District Stadium in Tumwater, Washington, on Sept. 9, 2022. Tumwater won the game, 8-6.
In the safety-saving play of the game, Tumwater punter Xavier Ickert carries a muffed snap punt out of the back of the end zone in front of North Kitsap defensive back Morgan Paul 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

W.F. West Bearcats (3-1) vs. Tumwater T-Birds (4-0)

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

All but certainly the 2A EvCo title game, Tumwater hasn’t lost to W.F. West since 2009. The T-Birds will look to keep the 12-game win streak going in the series at home on Friday. Tumwater is coming off back-to-back convincing wins, beating Centralia, 56-7, last week and Kelso, 38-19, in Week 3. W.F. West put a halt to Black Hills’ undefeated season last week, beating the Wolves soundly, 35-0.

TNT pick: Tumwater, 35-24

STATE GAME OF THE WEEK

O’Dea Fighting Irish (4-0) vs. Eastside Catholic Crusaders (4-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Eastside Catholic School, Sammamish

Two undefeated 3A state powers meet again in a key 3A Metro League showdown this weekend. O’Dea has posted convincing wins over its first four opponents, including 4A KingCo power Bothell (21-13) and league opponents Bishop Blanchet (54-10), Rainier Beach (22-0) and Seattle Prep (45-0). Eastside Catholic has been impressive, too, with victories over 4A NPSL power Kennedy Catholic (26-14) and league opponents Ballard (42-0), Bishop Blanchet (48-14) and Roosevelt (56-0). Only one program will remain undefeated this weekend, though. Eastside Catholic has won three of the past five games in this series, and seven of the past 10. Two recent meetings have been in the final week of the season, and Eastside Catholic won both, topping O’Dea in the 3A state championship game in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019. Both programs are looking to make it back to the state title game this fall for the first time since.

TNT pick: Eastside Catholic, 21-17

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