CLASS 4A
No. 3 Auburn (11-0) vs. Skyview (9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Kiggins Bowl, Vancouver
The lowdown: Auburn’s defense came though big-time, scoring touchdowns on two fumble returns, in its 25-22 win over Marysville-Pilchuck last week. Auburn’s offense must find its rhythm against Skyview. The Trojans will turn to their man-size offensive line to clear running lanes for running backs Austin Embody and Alphonse Wade. Skyview has thumped SPSL teams Federal Way and Bethel in consecutive weeks. QB Austin Dodge has thrown for 640 yards in the last two weeks. Skyview can move the ball on the ground, too. RB Matt Spears gashed the Braves for 167 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries.
The News Tribune pick: Skyview’s winning streak over SPSL teams reaches an end.
Auburn 27, Skyview 26

CLASS 4A
No. 2 Skyline (9-2) at No. 5 Curtis (11-0), 7 p.m. Saturday
The lowdown: Curtis must find a way to keep Skyline QB Jake Heaps and the Spartans’ offense off the field. The best way to do that is to hand the ball to Richard Southern and Jason Walker and the let the two powerful running backs chip at the Skyline defense and run time off the clock. South Kitsap beat the Spartans for two long touchdowns last week and Vikings WR/KR Rahmel Dockery is one of the most explosive players in the state. If Heaps and Co. break loose for a couple touchdowns, Dockery can swing momentum back to Curtis with a long return. Containing Skyline’s offense for the entire game is a next-to-impossible task. The Vikings’ defensive front will need to keep pressure on Heaps.
The News Tribune pick: Curtis makes a good showing, but Skyline continues on to the semifinals.
Skyline 35, Curtis 20

CLASS 3A
No. 2 Lakes (11-0) vs. No. 5 Mount Spokane (10-1), 1 p.m. Saturday at Joe Albi Stadiym
The lowdown: Lakes will face its stiffest challenge yet when it takes on the Wildcats. Mount Spokane’s spread offense, which averages more than 400 yards per game, will test the limits of the Lancers defense. QB Travis Ward is an accurate passer – he completed 65 percent of his attempts – and RB/WR Colten Williams is just as athletic and fast as any of Lakes’ players. Mount Spokane has faced good rushing attacks in the Greater Spokane League, but none have the speed, power and variety of Lakes’ ground game. The Lancers have bludgeoned defenses for 300 rushing yards per game and RB Willis Wilson, RB Teddy Cotton, FB Jordan Rivera and QB Cedric Dozier will be too much for Mount Spokane.
The News Tribune pick: Lakes sticks to the ground, runs over the Wildcats and into the semifinals.
Lakes 35, Mount Spokane 17

CLASS 1A
No. 3 Cascade Christian (11-0) vs. No. 1 Montesano (11-0), 7 p.m. Saturday at Tumwater
The lowdown: Montesano’s suffocating defense has made headlines by only allowed 21 points this season. The offense has been just as dominating, averaging 49 points per game. In last week’s 54-14 win over Meridian, RB Ryan Campbell rushed for 186 yards and three touchdowns and QB Josh Tyler passed for 151 yards and two touchdowns. The Cougars have a balanced rushing attack. Running backs Spencer Ramos, Tyler Walrath and Colton Faverty have all rushed for more than 600 yards and RB Brendan Ossman has eclipsed 400 yards. Cascade Christian pushed around Montesano along the line of scrimmage in a 35-14 state semifinal victory last season.
The News Tribune pick: In a tight, defensive battle, the Bulldogs get revenge for last season’s semifinal defeat.
Montesano 14, Cascade Christian 10