Lake Stevens (5-4) at No. 9 Bethel (8-1), 7 p.m. Saturday
Lowdown: The Braves enter the postseason on a roll, having won seven straight games. Opposing defenses have received steady doses of RB Anthony Meray, who set the SPSL all-purpose yards record last with 2,267 yards. Bethel coach Gavin Kralik said defensive tackle Happy Iona is healthy and will play the full game. Lake Stevens has been a slow starter this season, getting outscored 83-37 in the first quarter. The Vikings have ridden the legs of RB Brennan Frost to the playoffs. Frost, who will be one the fastest players at Art Crate, has rushed for 1,111 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per carry, in eight games. Despite playing with a torn ACL, Frost ran for a school-record 257 yards last week in a 25-13 win against Snohomish. Sophomore QB Jake Nelson became the starting signal caller two weeks ago and he’s been efficient, completing 29-of-55 passes for 338 yards and a touchdown.
The News Tribune pick: Meray is too much for the Vikings to handle.
Bethel 27, Lake Stevens 14

Glacier Peak (7-2) at No. 9 Peninsula (8-1), 7 p.m. Saturday
Lowdown: Since dropping a Week 2 game at Lakes, Peninsula has been on a roll, winning seven straight games. QB JR Grosshans is a true run-pass threat, having rushed for more than 800 yards and thrown for more than 1,000. Darrian Creamer is one of the best all-around football players in the South Sound, mixing power and speed out of the backfield and at linebacker. WR Johnny Johnson is a legitimate deep threat. Peninsula’s offense is versatile, but it’s strong along the line of scrimmage, too. DL Christian Doucette can make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Glacier Peak’s losses have come to playoff teams in Mountlake Terrace and sixth-ranked Meadowdale. The Grizzlies will test the Seahawks secondary. QB Zach Richter has thrown for 23 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards. Three receivers have at least 26 receptions and the trio is led by Tommy Rollins (55 catches, 625 yards, 5 TDs). WR Tony Hadnot emerged as a big-play threat in last week’s 51-15 win over Shorecrest, catching three touchdown passes.
The News Tribune pick: Peninsula breaks through, moves on to the state playoffs for first time since 2002.
Peninsula 36, Glacier Peak 30

Federal Way (8-2) at Skyview (7-2), 7 p.m. Saturday at Kiggins Bowl
Lowdown: Federal Way RB Trenton Pinson has done something that no player in SPSL history has done – score seven touchdowns in a single game. Unfortunately for Pinson and the Eagles, they can’t carry over any of those scores to their playoff game against the Storm. Pinson’s speed is no secret – he took second in the 100-meter dash in a photo finish at the 4A state track meet in May – but he’s becoming more comfortable running between the tackles. He gashed Gig Harbor for 156 yards on Tuesday, cracking the 1,000-yard barrier for the season in only eight games. QB Nick Tanielu is a capable passer and should keep defenses honest. Skyview is no slouch. Since losing 47-41 to No. 10 Marysville-Pilchuck in Week 3, the GSHL 4A champions have won six games in a row. The Storm’s other loss was a 14-9 defeat in Week 1 to 3A No. 4 Union. QB Austin Dodge is the focal point of Skyview’s pass-heavy offense. Dodge threw for 260 yards and ran for 57 in the Storm’s 33-7 win over Heritage last week.
The News Tribune pick: Pinson powers Eagles through Storm and into the state playoffs.
Federal Way 27, Skyview 24

Enumclaw (7-2) at Capital (6-3), 7 p.m. Saturday at Ingersoll Stadium
Lowdown: Enumclaw knows what it’s like to play in a meaingful game. The Hornets’ last three games have had playoff ramifications. Now the playoffs have arrived and Enumclaw will be put to the test. The Hornets proved they can hang with the best when they led second-ranked Lakes at halftime last month. QB Riley Carel is steady and WR Coleman Clyde has erupted for a couple big games this season. Andy Holdener and Andrew Gamblin have been productive sharing the load at running back. Capital might be the best three-loss team in the state. The Cougars’ losses have been to top-tier playoff teams in Olympia, O’Dea and Timberline. RB Tyler Sundberg has been a scoring machine this season, totaling 10 touchdowns in Capital’s last five games. The Cougars are capable of making a deep run into the postseason. The Cougars were unheralded when they advanced all the way to the state semifinals last season. A powerful running game and stingy defense are just the things engineer a return trip to the Tacoma Dome.
The News Tribune pick: Hornets punch ticket to state for first time in 14 seasons.
Enumclaw 16, Capital 14

Categories: Football
Tags: Bethel, Capital, Enumclaw, Peninsula, Playoffs