The End Zone

Last week’s picks hurt a little bit. First, I have to give some credit to Bellevue sportswriter Joel Willits, who nailed the Mount Si upset over Juanita. He also benefited from a Seattle Prep win over Eastside Catholic, going a perfect 11-0. We both went 2-0 in the KingCo tiebreaker between Newport, Redmond and Eastlake. Joel is now 80-15 on the season.

My two losses dropped me to 75-20. Hopefully I can pick up some ground this week as we enter the KingCo 4A crossover games — it’s now or never.

There are some great games this week, including the KingCo 4A championship between Skyline and Bothell. Issaquah and Woodinville, and Eastlake and Inglemoor face loser-out situations. I will be at all three. Watch Twitter (@issy_sam_sports) for updates.

KINGCO GAMES
Bothell Cougars (8-0) vs. Skyline Spartans (7-1)
Kevin - Hype has swirled around this rematch since Skyline won the KingCo title last year. While there’s no doubt Bothell and its rabid fans will be hyped for this contest, there is no way I can go against Skyline. The Spartans prove time after time they are sound at every spot on the field, not to mention they play in a tougher KingCo Crest division. Bothell hasn’t faced a true quality opponent since O’Dea in week two. I think the more battle-tested team will prevail in this one. Pick: Skyline 24-14
Joel - I always said I couldn’t pick against the Spartans until someone from Washington knocked them off. But I like this matchup for Bothell – a team that’s looked positively dominant all season. In a hard-fought battle and rematch of last year’s conference championship, the Cougars prevail. Pick: Bothell 17-14

Issaquah Eagles (5-3) vs. Woodinville Falcons (4-4)
Kevin - Issaquah is finding its groove without star running back Grant Gellatly, who will again be a game-time decision. Woodinville trailed Ballard — one of the weakest teams in KingCo — until the fourth quarter of last week’s game. Sophomore quarterback Brett Arrivey has shown great potential for the Falcons, but the Eagles will soar in this one. Pick: Issaquah 35-14
Joel - After getting absolutely shelled by the Spartans two weeks ago, the Eagles rebounded last week against Newport. Woodinville’s youth in key spots will prove to be the difference in this loser-out game. Issaquah returns to state. Pick: Issaquah 35-10

Eastlake Wolves (5-3) vs. Inglemoor Vikings (5-3)
Kevin - Eastlake could be a sleeper team headed into the state-qualifying round. The Wolves possess a ton of talent, and could just as easily be 7-1, instead of 5-3. As long as quarterback Kelby McCorkle and running back Cam Hunt continue to click on offense, Eastlake is dangerous. I expect the Wolves to take this one, and claim the KingCo No. 4 spot headed into the state qualifying round. Pick: Eastlake 28-14
Joel - Last night, I watched a fired-up Eastlake team clinch the final crossover spot in the Crest Conference. I also saw what a motivated Cam Hunt running behind an offensive line looks like. In 24 minutes, Hunt rushed for over a 100 yards, and was throwing down runners left and right. Eastlake has the weapons to be a great offense. I expect them to beat the Vikings and head to state. Pick: Eastlake 28-20

Roosevelt Roughriders (2-6) vs. Newport Knights (4-4)
Kevin - I’ve watched the Knights their last two games. If quarterback/running back Ross Quarre is healthy (after suffering a huge hit in Tuesday’s KingCo tiebreaker) I expect Newport to run away with this one. Pick: Newport 24-7
Joel - Coach Mike Miller told me there’s no give up in his Newport squad. That said, the Knights are young, and beat up. They’re starting two freshman – QB Isaac Dotson and RB Erik Rodan – and RB Ross Quarre is beat up as well. I don’t see any give-up in Newport either. They played solid last night, but just couldn’t get it done vs. Eastlake. Pick: Newport 27-6

Lake Washington Kangaroos (1-7) vs. Redmond Mustangs (2-6)
Kevin - This game features two struggling offenses. Without having seen Lake Washington play this season, I give the edge to Redmond and quarterback Michael Conforto. He is one of toughest players in the league. Expect him to run often, and plow over the Kangaroos. Pick: Redmond 13-6
Joel - The Mustangs misfired on offense last night, but they have enough to get past Ray Roberts’ Kangs, who have struggled to find the end zone more than even the Mustangs. Pick: Redmond 21-7

Ballard Beavers (1-7) vs. Garfield Bulldgos (2-6)
Kevin - Um … thank you Joel for making me pick this game. I’m going to go with the mighty Ballard Beavers in this one. The Crown has to get one victory over a Crest team. Ballard has lost by just one touchdown in its last two games. I have a feeling the Beavers’ luck is about to change. Pick: Ballard 21-14
Joel - The Bulldogs haven’t scored a touchdown in a month, and have been outscored 168-0 in that time. The Crown Division gets its second win in the crossover. Pick: Ballard 14-0

Bellevue Wolverines (6-2) vs. Interlake Saints (6-2)
Kevin – Bellevue has found its groove of late, winning five straight league games. Interlake’s exciting offense might be able to do some damage, but will the Saints be able to stop the dominant Wolverine Wing-T? Bellevue should have the edge in this cross-town matchup. Pick: Bellevue 35-21
Joel - The Saints are playing good football right now, and have been boosted by the return of all-state wide receiver Dylan Amell, who caught two touchdowns last week. But Bellevue made a big statement with its win over Liberty last week, asserting that, once again, they’re the best team in 3A. Pick: Bellevue 35-14

Liberty Patriots (7-1) vs. Mount Si Wildcats (5-3)
Kevin - The playoff picture is already decided in the KingCo 3A. But a Mount Si win would allow the Wildcats jump from No. 3 and overtake Liberty for the No. 2 seed. Mount Si has certainly improved, but I imagine Liberty will be hungry to hold on to the second seed, playing on its home field. Pick: Liberty 24-21
Joel - The Wildcats are another example of a team peaking at the right time; Mount Si thrashed Juanita last week to take the right to the conference’s final playoff berth. A win over the Patriots would give them the second seed. But the Liberty offense is too powerful, and playing in front of their home crowd, the Patriots should sew up the last playoff spot. Pick: Liberty 28-20

Mercer Island Islanders (3-5) vs. Juanita Rebels (5-3)
Kevin - Will Juanita be deflated after missing out on the playoffs with a loss to Mount Si last week, or with the Rebels come out hungry? I think pride will take over for once ranked Juanita. Running back Cole Graves will help the Rebels eke out one final KingCo win. Pick: Juanita 21-20
Joel - Has any team fallen as fast as the Rebels have? Just three weeks ago the team was 5-1, coming off a 47-34 beating of Interlake and looking like a state playoff contender. The next two weeks, the Rebels are outscored 92-13 and are out of the state playoffs. The Islanders are playing for pride, and the homefield advantage should prove enough to help them beat the Rebels in an upset. Pick: Mercer Island 21-10

Sammamish Totems (1-7) vs. Foster Bulldogs (2-6)
Kevin - Sammamish started its season strong with a win, and I see them ending it strong with another. Foster has two wins a weak Seamount. The Totems have shown great signs of improvement this season. Pick: Sammamish 28-7
Joel - The Totems have made great strides under coach Brian Tucci, but their record shows just how hard rebuilding in the KingCo 3A conference is. In their regular season finale, I expect to see the Totems come out fired up, and take out the Bulldogs. Pick: Sammamish 14-6

OTHER GAMES
Eastside Catholic Crusaders (3-5) vs. Franklin Quakers (3-5)
Kevin - Jason Gesser will have his Crusaders ready to finish the season strong. Franklin comes from a much weaker Metro Sound division. Eastside should roll. Pick: Eastside Catholic 35-7
Joel - Crusaders miss the playoffs, but have played (and had success against) much better foes than Franklin. Pick: Eastside Catholic 22-19