After several blowouts in Week 1 from the top teams of 2023, the new fall season could be a rerun of last season. Week 2 kicks off with the area’s first Thursday night game, plus 13 more on Friday night and a Saturday kickoff happening at a historic stadium.
Black Hills at Eatonville (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
The Wolves were led by the high-flying arm of Jaxsen Beck last week, launching seven touchdowns in a blowout victory over Clover Park. It was the first career head coaching victory at Black Hills for Tom Stray. Eatonville escaped Cascade Christian 34-28, allowing over 400 yards of total offense.
R.A. Long at Centralia (7 p.m.)
One team will get its first win of the season at Tiger Stadium and both the Tigers and Lumberjacks are trying to snap losing streaks. R.A. Long hasn’t won since the season opener last fall at Castle Rock; Centralia is on a two-game skid. Both teams went 1-8 last fall. The Tigers were limited to just four first downs versus Elma.
Bainbridge at Tumwater (7 p.m.)
It was a stomping the T-Birds put on Class 4A Puyallup last week with 49 first half points en route to a 50-point win. The legs of Peyton Davis and the arm of Jaxon Budd paved the way for the blowout. Tumwater faces Bainbridge out of the 2A Olympic league, a team that clipped West Seattle in Week 1.
W.F. West at Capital (7 p.m.)
Stamping their name amongst the Class 2A contenders with a statement win over traditional power North Kitap, the Bearcats get another formidable test versus the Cougars. Gage Brumfield was spectacular with five total scores and over 220 offensive yards. The Cougars are trying to avoid an 0-2 start after a one-possession setback to Olympia.
Kalama at Tenino (7 p.m.)
Newly up to Class 1A over the next four years, the Chinooks have been one of the premier teams in 2B and will now test their metal against the Beavers. Tenino ransacked county foe Rainier that featured multiple ejections. Sophomore QB Mason Mecalf shined in his first career varsity start, helping the Beavers score 35 straight points.
Rochester at Castle Rock (7 p.m.)
Stuffed inside the goal line with a chance to have a play away from forcing overtime, the Warriors left Week 1 with a 14-6 heartbreaker versus King’s Way Christian. The running game was the sticking point once again, featuring 40-plus yards from four different ball carriers. The Rockets stuffed R.A. Long by four scores last week.
PWV at Onalaska (7 p.m.)
Two teams that live by the ground game will clash helmets in a non-league game after varying degrees of first game results. The Titans blasted Winlock 40-8, all of their points in the opening 24 minutes. Meanwhile, the Loggers turned the ball over a handful of times that resulted in a humbling loss to 1A power Nooksack Valley.
Goldendale at Toledo (7 p.m.)
From Eli Weeks arm to the speed of the split ends, the Riverhawks flew up and down the field and opened the season with a 28-point victory over Adna. Toledo’s defense came away with a pair of turnovers and held its opponent to roughly 100 yards of total offense. It will be Goldendale’s season-opener.
Ilwaco at Winlock (7 p.m.)
The Cardinals were welcomed into the 11-on-11 game with a humbling 40-8 setback to Pe Ell/Willapa Valley. Their only score was a 40-yard dart from Landen Cline to Carter Svenson, but struggled with taking care of the ball. Winlock coughed up the ball three times and two times it lost possession.
Mossyrock at Warden (7 p.m.)
Also playing their first full season of 11-on-11, the Vikings nearly pulled off a stunner on Raymond/South Bend before a goal line stand by the Ravens kept them in the win column. Mossyrock trailed by 20 after 12 minutes behind two touchdowns runs from star quarterback Easton Kolb. The senior totaled over 400 yards of total offense.
Rainier at RSB (7 p.m.)
A second drive touchdown by the Mountaineers last week was all they could muster before dropping a blowout loss to Tenino. Jake Meldrum earned snaps at quarterback and dashed 36-yards for Rainier’s only TD. RSB beat Mossyrock thanks to a goal line stand and some poor clock management.
Adna at Cle Elum-Roslyn (7 p.m.)
Battling a negative turnover margin and no offensive rhythm piled up for the Pirates in a season-opening loss. Adna gave up plenty of big plays versus Toledo, including some three-and-long and fourth-and-longs. Nearly every time the Riverhawks went in a positive direction, the Bears seem to be working.
MWP at White Swan (7 p.m.)
Quarterback Judah Kelly plus top tailback Carson and top running back Logan Mays established a two-headed monster in the backfield with over 200 yards between the two. White Swan dropped a nearly 40-point loss to La Salle and gave up a heavy dosage of running games. The Cougars struggled against the run, allowing 246 yards per game.
North Beach at ONR (7 p.m.)
Numbers seem to be an issue for the Acorns heading into Week 2 and its home opener. They entered last Friday with 11 players and two of them left the loss to Ocosta. Still, the Rodas brothers Gio and Daniel were the main production for Oakville-North River’S offensive 38-point outburst. North Beach upended Evergreen Lutheran 78-34 last week.
Napavine at Life Christian Academy (Saturday, 7 p.m.)
A week after blowing the doors off 2A Hudson’s Bay, the Tigers have a long week and face the Eagles at one of the most famous stadiums in Washington, Stadium Bowl in Tacoma. It was big play after big play for Napavine, using three ball carriers to combine for 204 yards on just six carries. Grady Wilson earned the start at QB, tossing for 122 yards.
