Identities of programs are starting to become clearer, as are the contenders from the pretenders in District 4. It’s not quite rivalry week, but the contests on the docket for Week 6 are appetizing.
The annual Scatter Creek Showdown could go a long way to determine who takes the Class 1A Evergreen League crown. There’s also a heavyweight bout in Class 2B and a potential clash of teams jostling to finish top-three in the SeaTac Southern league.
Here is a capsule glance at the 14 area games, three of them feature area head-to-heads.
Winlock (1-4) at Ocosta (0-4), Thursday, 7 p.m.
Either the Cardinals are notching their second win of the season or the Wildcats nab their first. The only touchdown Winlock scored last week was a Monte Williams rushing score, but it avoided a fourth shutout. Ocosta has gotten to 20 points once; freshman Mason Quarles is averaging 4.4 yards per carry with two TDs.
Chief Leschi (2-3) at Oakville (0-5), 3:30 p.m.
One of the earliest kickoffs of the regular season up to this point will take place in Grays Harbor County. The Acorns scored their highest point total of the season last week, more than the first three weeks combined. Chief Leschi have allowed 50-plus points to the three teams leading the SeaTac Southern.
Adna (4-1) at Forks (5-0), 5:30 p.m.
Two top-10 teams in Class 2B will tangle for an early kickoff on Friday night and take an early lead in the C2BL West division. The game got moved up due to road construction, causing the Pirates to take a longer trek. Beau Miller made his return to the field last week and went over 100 yards and scored. Forks has blown out everyone in its path, mainly due to quarterback Lane Helvey still not registering an interception and tossing for nine TDs.
Montesano (2-3) at Centralia (4-1), 7 p.m.
For the first time this season, the Tigers face a bit of adversity after suffering a multi-score loss last week. Tailback Bill Volavola is at 10 total touchdowns and on the verge of 500 rushing yards this fall. This contest begins a stretch where Centralia only has to travel more than 20 miles one more time in its last four games. Montesano destroyed Elma last week for its first league win. The Bulldogs’ four non-league games were all decided by one possession.
W.F. West (5-0) at Hockinson (2-3), 7 p.m.
The Bearcats offense has found their groove over the last two weeks versus GSHL foes and another one is on tap. W.F. West’s quarterback Wyatt Hoffman threw four passing touchdowns and ran for two more in Week 5 plus he connected with five different receivers in the process. A second 6-0 start in three years is on the table for the Bearcats. Hockinson has lost three straight since beginning the season 2-0. The Hawks allowed 29 points in the first half versus Black Hills.
Black Hills (3-2) at Mark Morris (4-1), 7 p.m.
That Week 3 forfeit win and having 14 days to recover has made quite the difference for the Wolves, piling up 39 points apiece in the last two games. The three top ball carriers – Jesse Keith, Marshall Orona and James Ross IV – each have over 200 rushing yards and have scored 11 total times. Mark Morris suffered its first loss last week and will host the second EvCo team from Thurston County in as many weeks.
Rochester (5-0) at Tenino (4-1), 7 p.m.
The Scatter Creek Showdown, one of the top rivalries in SW Washington, makes its return to the Blacktop on Friday night. In 2024, after Rochester was on the verge of a league title, Tenino claimed the win. Parker Minerich is coming off 32 carries for over 150 yards last week and the Beavers are seeking to be 4-0 at home. The Warriors have blown out their last three opponents, the latest saw Maddox Rodgers set the new school record for most TDs in a single game.
Rainier (3-2) at Onalaska (4-1), 7 p.m.
For the Loggers, their journey to a C2BL East title begins on Friday. As is customary, that is the first goal they aim to check off every fall. Onalaska posted a statement win over Mount Baker – a Class 1A state semifinalist – last week, led by Ethan Thayer and Eli Srnka each with over 100 rushing yards. Rainier opened league play with a dominant win over Mossyrock where QB Ryan O’Neal threw the same number of completions as passing touchdowns (four).
Napavine (3-2) at Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (1-4), 7 p.m.
Menlo will be the site of a C2BL West contest between two teams that made the Class 2B state tournament a season ago. The Tigers blew out Ilwaco last week thanks to over 300 rushing yards and threw it when needed. Napavine looks to win on an even numbered week for the first time this season. PWV has gone in the opposite direction since the season-opener, dropping four straight. The Titans have turned the ball over 10 times through five weeks.
Castle Rock (4-1) at Toledo (4-1), 7 p.m.
Make it three consecutive clean sheets by the Riverhawks and they’ll look to make it four in a row in front of their home crowd. Since the Week 1 loss to Adna, senior tailback Nico Acosta is averaging well over 100 yards on the ground. Toledo has already beaten two Class 1A foes this fall in Granite Falls and Tenino. The Rockets have won three straight since a 1-1 start and all of them were by at least two possessions.
Columbia White Salmon (1-3) at Mossyrock (1-4), 7 p.m.
It’s homecoming for the Vikings in their final non-league game of the fall. They have been silenced two weeks in a row, outscored by Ilwaco and Rainier 114-0. Austin Isom has been the lone weapon that’s rushed for plenty of positive yardage, but the defense has faltered as of late. CWS had a bye week after it notched a three-point triumph over Medical Lake. The Bruins lost to Ilwaco 14-6 back in Week 2.
North Beach (4-1) at Morton (4-1), 7 p.m.
This game could have major implications on a crossover berth in Class 1B or who gets to potentially host a Week 10 contest. The Huskies rebounded from their lone loss fueled by the Logan Mays and Liam Pelletier duo with seven total touchdowns. Of Morton’s four victories, no opponent has gotten to 20 points yet. North Beach also bounced back from a Week 4 setback and now will be on the road for three straight contests.
Wahkiakum (4-0) at White Pass (1-4), 7 p.m.
Last week marked the first time in over a decade the Panthers were victorious in a football game. Bryer Kelly has scored eight total times, six rushing TDs, and is close to 700 total yards of offense. Kaizen Harvey sits at four tackles for loss and four sacks for White Pass. Wahkiakum has posted two shutouts so far and Joseph Merz is at 11 touchdowns in a Mules jersey.
Ridgefield (2-3) at Tumwater (5-0), 7:30 p.m.
It was an early scare the T-Birds experienced last Friday, but 41 unanswered points allowed them to cruise once again. Eight different players registered more than 20 yards of offense and Ethan Bello took back a 93-yard pick-six. Tumwater has yet to allow an opponent to score 20 points. Ridgefield has picked up two straight decisive victories after losing the first three, two of them to Class 4A foes.
