The real journey to Husky Stadium begins on Friday night.
And for the 10 teams from Lewis and South Thurston counties that remain alive heading into the Round of 12/16, they are three victories away from making the northern trek to the University of Washington’s campus.
Welcome to the start of the prep football state tournament.
Here is a capsule look at every Round of 16 game this weekend.
Class 2B Round of 16: #16 Columbia Burbank (5-5) vs. #1 Toledo (9-0) at Kelso HS, 6 p.m.
The Riverhawks earned the coveted one seed in the classification thanks to an outright C2BL East title and an unblemished record. They whipped Forks in the crossover round last week and haven’t allowed more than 10 points since Week 4 versus Toutle Lake. Carter Swofford had three scores and 135 yards versus Forks. Columbia Burbank has played five teams in the state tourney and lost all of them. Only two were within a possession.
Class 2B Round of 16: #10 Kittitas (9-1) vs. #7 Adna (8-2) at Tiger Stadium, Centralia, 6 p.m.
In Aaron Cochran’s three years at the helm, the Pirates have their highest playoff seed behind a veteran group that won the C2BL West outright. Adna has posted three consecutive shutouts for a defense led by all-league MVP on that side of the ball, Steven O’Dell. If the Pirates prevail, they’ll be in the quarterfinals for the second straight season. Kittitas won the EWAC West that only had one other team with a winning record.
Class 2A Round of 16: #10 W.F. West (8-2) at #7 Franklin Pierce (8-2), 7 p.m.
It is a rematch from last year’s state quarterfinal when the Bearcats waltzed into Tacoma and stuffed the Cardinals to the tune of a 28-7 win. W.F. West only allowed 148 rushing yards and nearly half came on a late score. While most of the players graduated, the Bearcats are aiming for a repeat performance. Franklin Pierce, a program that runs the Power-T, has leaned on Bryson Allen, who has over 1,700 yards and 27 TDs.
Class 2A Round of 16: #15 Washougal (9-1) at #2 Tumwater (8-1), 7 p.m.
A pair of one-loss District 4 teams will vie for a berth to the quarterfinals. The last time the Thunderbirds played a fellow district opponent in the state playoffs was 2019 versus Hockinson in the semis. Peyton Davis is nearing 800 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns for Tumwater, the clear No. 1 option in a loaded backfield. Washougal went unbeaten in the GSHL and has played three games decided by 10 or fewer points, going 3-0.
Class 2B Round of 16: #15 Rainier (5-5) at #2 Newport (9-0), Saturday, 12 p.m.
The Mountaineers are back in the final 16 for the first time in seven years, primarily due to a turnaround season that’s featured five of six victories. They’ve won in shootouts, putting up an average of 35 points in their four-game win streak. Rainier hasn’t won a state football game since 1991. Newport has been carried by its RB duo of Kutter Driver and Jacob Reimers. The Grizzlies have not had a game decided in the fourth quarter since Week 6.
Class 2B Round of 16: #14 Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (7-3) vs. #3 Tri-Cities Prep (10-0) at Chiawana HS, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Coming off a 500-yard offensive output in the crossover, the Titans will attempt to pull off a stunner out east in Pasco. Quarterback Brody Ritzman threw for four touchdowns last week while Lucas Lusk is 22 yards away from a 1,000-yard season. PWV’s last time in the state tournament was three years ago when it reached the semis. TCP has ransacked every opponent in its path, allowing double digit points just once.
Class 2B Round of 16: #11 Liberty Bell (7-2) at #6 Onalaska (8-3), Saturday, 1 p.m.
For the second consecutive season, the Loggers will play their final game at Onalaska Memorial Stadium. Since they were shutout against Toledo, they’ve responded with victories of 70-14 and 40-0. Sophomore Haze Hamrick went for over 100 yards in the crossover last week. Liberty Bell’s two losses were to playoff teams Okanogan and Omak (1A), but it allowed 112 combined points. The Mountain Lions are playing their second straight C2BL team in the Round of 16.
Class 2B Round of 16: #9 NW Christian Colbert (8-3) at #8 Napavine (6-4), Saturday, 1 p.m.
Being the eight seed is one of the lowest since Josh Fay took over the Tigers nearly 20 years ago. Still, they might be as formidable behind the new-look offense that has turned Caleb Von Pressentin into one of the best backs in the state with over 200 yards in the five-game win streak. Grady Wilson’s availability moving forward remains unknown. For the Crusaders, they started 2-2 but have since gone 6-1 in large part due to not giving up 30-plus points.
Class 1A Round of 12: #12 Tenino (7-3) at #5 Montesano (9-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
It’s one of two league matchups and three rematches in this round of the 1A state tournament. The Beavers pulled off a stunner in the Round of 24 by beating No. 5 Cascade Christian 28-7 thanks to five turnovers. Michael Lanning found the end zone twice in the victory. Per the WIAA, Tenino’s last state tourney win was 2021 versus Freeman. Montesano whipped its league rival 49-0 in the regular season meeting. The Bulldogs have not lost to Tenino in three seasons.
Class 1A Round of 12: #11 Omak (7-3) vs. #6 Rochester (8-2) at Tiger Stadium, Centralia, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Points will be aplenty in a matchup between the Pioneers and Warriors. Last week in the Round of 24, Rochester lit up the scoreboard with 74 points that featured their three top ball carriers scoring multiple times and all having over 150 yards. Whoever wins will take on No. 3 seed Mount Baker in the quarters. Omak has put up at least 40 points in all but one game since Week 3, including 78 versus 2B state qualifier Liberty Bell.
