Week 5 has always served as the pristine halfway point of the prep football season. It’s five weeks until the crossover round to solidify state tournament berths and four weeks until the regular season concludes.
There’s four unbeaten teams left in SW Washington – Centralia, Rochester, Tumwater and W.F. West – plus a host of programs still sitting at one loss. And with the announcement of state tourney allocations, the importance is magnified.
Here is a capsule glance at the 12 area games as the midway point of the regular season approaches.
Centralia (4-0) at Tenino (3-1), 7 p.m.
What a story it’s been in the Hub City for the Tigers to be perfect heading into their Class 1A Evergreen League debut. The last two contests have resulted in 50-point outbursts. Quarterback Caden Erickson is completing 80 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns while Bill Volavola is at nine total. Tenino won a 7-6 thriller last week despite committing double digit penalties. Parker Minerich eclipsed the century mark on 32 carries in the victory.
Washougal (2-2) at W.F. West (4-0), 7 p.m.
It’s the first time in three weeks the Bearcats will be in front of their home crowd. After two straight games with only one touchdown, they clobbered Columbia River 63-0 last Friday. Everyone got involved for W.F. West, led by five touchdowns from signal caller Wyatt Hoffman and a punt return score from Holden Kunz. Washougal has been in one-possession games three times this season. The Panthers have only mustered 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Tumwater (4-0) at Mark Morris (4-0), 7 p.m.
One team will suffer their first loss of the season at Longview Memorial Stadium. Tumwater hasn’t allowed a Class 2A program to reach double figures so far. Tyler Briscoe currently leads the ball carriers with 322 yards and five scores while Jake Reid has missed just five passes all year. Hans Bergford is at five tackles for loss and two sacks for Tumwater. Mark Morris won by eight last week and hasn’t started 5-0 in over two decades.
Hockinson (2-2) at Black Hills (1-2), 7 p.m.
After cruising past Hudson’s Bay last week, the Wolves will look to make it back-to-back home wins at Tumwater District Stadium. Nineteen points in the second quarter sparked Black Hills to the victory. James Ross IV tallied 149 yards and a score while Marshall Orona scored twice. The Wolves only go on the road one more time this fall. Hockinson has lost two straight since starting 2-0 and hasn’t scored more than 17 points in the two setbacks.
Hoquiam (2-2) at Rochester (4-0), 7 p.m.
Not since the 20th Century have the Warriors gotten off to as good of a start. Now they’ll attempt to win their second Evergreen League title in three seasons. Maddox Rodgers is already at 1,000-plus rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. Owen Simpkins and Kaiser Tartios scored multiple times in last week’s victory. Hoquiam has won two straight thrillers over Pe Ell/Willapa Valley and East Jefferson since losing its first two games.
Ilwaco (3-1) at Napavine (2-2), 7 p.m.
Are the Tigers better on odd number weeks than even number weeks? The stats back it up with going over 60 points in Weeks 1 and 3 while being held to a combined 34 points in Weeks 2 and 4. Napavine failed to score until time expired in regulation last week and missed the PAT to send the game into overtime. Ilwaco has reeled off three straight victories by a combined score of 80-12. This will be the Fishermen’s penultimate road game of the fall.
Mossyrock (1-3) at Rainier (2-2), 7 p.m.
It’s a C2BL East contest between two teams that made the crossover round last fall and with only three state bids for District 4, could serve as a must-win for both sides. Rainier has not lost to a Class 2B team yet and had some success in the passing game last week; Ryan O’Neal ended with 200-plus passing yards and three scores. Mossyrock got blown out 54-0 last week and the offensive output in the three losses (19 points)) remains less than its one win (20).
Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (1-3) at Adna (3-1), 7 p.m.
This week also commences league play within the C2BL West, won by the Pirates last fall. They clinched the title when they faced the Titans. Adna responded well after its first loss with a 50-0 clean sheet last week, thanks to another 300-plus yard passing game from Trevin Salme. Grayson Humphrey scored a rushing, receiving and special teams touchdown. PWV has lost three straight games, but Lucas Lusk is at seven total TDs and 38 tackles.
Toutle Lake (2-2) at Toledo (3-1), 7 p.m.
There’s no love lost between the two rivals and they’ll meet in Toledo for the first time since a small pushing and shoving match broke out two years ago. The Riverhawks defense has become a revelation with two straight shutouts and only allowing 21 in Week 2. On offense, Nico Acosta is pushing towards 800 rushing yards. Toutle Lake’s two wins have been competitive while the two losses have been goose eggs on the scoreboard.
Winlock (1-3) at Morton (3-1), 7 p.m.
Two teams that experienced very different Week 4 results will tangle in East Lewis County. The Huskies got curbstomped by Naslle and only found the end zone once, by far the smallest output of the season. Still, Liam Pelletier is close to 700 rushing yards and Logan Mays is inching closer to 500. Winlock got off the schneid with a 41-20 win last week behind three passing touchdowns from Monte Williams. The Cardinals ran for a season-best 228 yards.
White Pass (0-4) at Oakville (0-3), 7 p.m.
As of Wednesday morning, this game is still on. The Acorns had to forfeit last week against NW Christian (Lacey) and will look to break double figures in the scoring department. White Pass scored a touchdown in three quarters last week despite the loss. Bryer Kelly and Carson Fleetwood were the anchors of the Panthers offense with 151 of their 188 yards.
Onalaska (3-1) at Mount Baker (3-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
For the second straight week, the Loggers will test themselves against a 1A opponent in the Mountaineers, a state semifinalist from a year ago. Onalaska put the ball on the grass six times, but only lost it once last week. Ethan Thayer and Haze Hamrick continue to be the 1-2 punch in the backfield for the Loggers. Mount Baker lost in Week 2, but has eclipsed 40 points in its three victories.
