Week 6 football predictions
Here are our week-six football predictions for KingCo, along with Eastside Catholic and Bellevue Christian. There are some big games this week, including Mercer Island vs. Mount Si and Woodinville vs. Bothell.
Be sure to get your votes in on who you think will win this week. Up-to-date season standings are at the bottom of the of the page.
BIG 5
Mercer Island vs. Mount Si
Kevin- Second place in the KingCo 3A is on the line Thursday when Mount Si (4-1) and Mercer Island (3-2) clash. The Wildcats are on a roll since losing their season opener, while Mercer Island is looking for a rebound after last week’s loss to nationally-ranked Bellevue. Jeff Lindquist and the Islanders’ pass attack will be the best Mount Si has seen. Will their defensive backs be able to step up? The Wildcats have found success with their grind-it-out run game. This should be a fun matchup.
Pick: Mercer Island 24-22
Josh- The Wildcats have continued to find ways to pick up wins after their opening week loss to Woodinville. This is probably the only time all season I’ll talk about a kicker, but Cameron VanWinkle is a weapon for Mount Si. It’s hard enough to get stops without having to worry about a guy knocking in 40-yard field goals. In the same position where most high school teams would be forced to choose between going for it on fourth down and punting to pin an opponent, Mount Si can just tack on a quick three points. That has been valuable all season and will continue to be so this week against an Islanders’ squad that is more than capable of putting points up. Lindquist gets his both on the ground and in the passing game, but its just not enough.
Pick: Mount Si 30-27
Kevin- This KingCo 4A showdown will likely determine the Crown champion. Is Woodinville for real at 5-0? It would appear so. The Falcons’ defense has allowed just 17 points in five games and have three shutouts to their credit. The skeptic might say those wins came against soft opponents (minus the week one road win at Mount Si). Bothell (3-2) has had its struggles this season, mainly stemming from inconsistent quarterback play and injuries on the offensive line. This could very well be Woodinville’s first win over its rival since 2005. One thing’s for certain, it will be a fun one to watch.
Pick: Woodinville 28-20
Josh- Big time division showdown here, with Woodinville still sporting that undefeated record and the Cougars looking to keep the momentum rolling after their two point Spaghetti Bowl win last week over Inglemoor. The winner is poised to make a run to the 4A KingCo title game and history will be on the side of the Cougars, who haven’t lost to the Falcons since back in 2005. The Bothell quarterback situation will be interesting to watch in this one, particularly against a Woodinville defense that already has ten interceptions (and six touchdowns) this season.
Pick: Woodinville 35-25
Kevin- Newport struggled against one dynamic offense last week, and things certainly won’t get any easier this week for the Knights. Skyline (3-2) has found its groove after starting the season 1-2. Spartans’ quarterback Max Browne is averaging over 300 yards and three TDs per game. Expect another big game from the junior.
Pick: Skyline 42-14
Josh-The Knights were buried early in last week’s loss to Eastlake, which has been a theme in both of their losses in 2011. If they can manage to hang onto the football and maybe even create a turnover or two of their own, this one could stay close. But if Max Browne and his receiving corps is hitting on all cylinders, that likely won’t happen. I’ve seen Newport twice this season (against Interlake and Bothell) and they are definitely capable of playing sound, productive football at times. But not often enough to beat a team like the Spartans. Even with their trouble against the run, (see: seven touchdowns allowed to one RB against Lake Oswego) it’s unlikely Newport will be able to mount a consistent enough attack to keep this one interesting.
Pick: Skyline 44-28
Kevin- The big question as to whether or not Mariner has a chance in this one is whether or not KeiVarae Russell will be healthy. The talented running back exited last week’s game against Cascade with a first-quarter ankle injury and his status is unknown for this week. Regardless, Eastlake’s defense was a force against a solid Newport rushing attack last week, holding the Knights to 90 yards.
The undefeated Wolves will just have to be careful to not look ahead too far with games against Issaquah and Skyline looming.
Pick: Eastlake 42-20
Josh-The Wolves take their show on the road to face the Marauders’ sensational offensive weapon KeiVarae Russell, the consensus top running back in the state for the class of 2011. The Mariner superstar has struggled with injuries this season and his team has struggled to do much of anything. Eastlake won’t take this one lightly, but it should serve as a nice tune-up before facing Issaquah and then Skyline to close the regular season.
Pick: Eastlake 55-9
Kevin- Sammamish is on a high after getting its first KingCo win in four years, while Interlake is still in search of that illusive ‘W.’ That said, I’ll take it easy on the 2A Saints, who have lost to quality 3A and 4A opponents the last five weeks. Look for Interlake back Jordan Todd to have a big performance as Interlake targets a much-needed win. The Totems are certainly an improved team, but I see the win streak falling.
Pick: Interlake 32-20
Josh- The Totems picked up a program defining win last week over Lake Washington, in overtime nonetheless. But bringing the Crossroads Cup back to Sammamish for the first time since 2006 will likely take an even better performance. Austin Lee broke out in a big way last week, scoring on four touchdown runs. Nick Meyers also went over 100 yards and with Acie Black as another force in the backfield, the Saints’ defense is going to have plenty to contend with. When Interlake has the ball, look for the Totems to stack the box against Jordan Todd (just as every other Saints’ opponent has and will for the rest of the year). The deciding factor is going to be who wins the battle on the outside. If Ryan and Evan Turman and the rest of the Interlake receiving corps can win matchups with Sammamish defensive backs, the Saints are going to win. If the Totems can get pressure on Kamana Adriano and disrupt the timing of the passing game, they will likely generate enough offense to get the victory. But I’m leaning with Todd and the Saints in this one.
Pick: Interlake 34-32 OT
Kevin: 10-1
Josh: 8-3
Readers: 10-1
Year to date
Kevin: 37-14
Josh: 35-16
Readers: 36-15
