Skyline (7-1, 5-0) VS. Bothell (7-1, 4-0), 7 p.m. Friday
The path to the 4A KingCo title game has been remarkably similar for Crown champion Skyline and Crest victor Bothell.
Both enter the game off momentum building wins, 30-17 for the Spartans over rival Issaquah and 35-0 for Bothell in a blowout of Woodinville and each has only a single loss on the season, both to 3A power Bellevue. Each team also owns a win over Coeur d’Alene (Idaho), with the Spartans winning a 38-23 game in week two and Bothell coming from behind in the final minutes to stun the Vikings 44-43 in the Emerald City Kickoff Classic to open the year.
Since KingCo play began, neither has been truly tested for an entire game and each will certainly face its stiffest competition since the non-conference slate.
The Cougars scored 42 or more points five straight weeks before the shutout of the Falcons last week and are averaging better than 43 points per game in their seven wins.
If there is a defense in the league ready to slow quarterback Ross Bowers and the Bothell offense, it would be Skyline, which has allowed more than 18 points only twice all season and enters the game allowing just more than 12 points per contest in seven victories.
The winner will take the top seed from the conference to next week’s district playoffs and host a game against the fourth seeded team from the North Division of the South Puget Sound League for a spot in the state tournament.
The loser will play the fourth seeded team from the South Division of the SPSL, also at home for a spot in the 4A tournament field of 16.
The game will be broadcast live on AM radio on Alternative Talk 1150 KKNW.
Eastlake (6-2, 3-1) VS. Roosevelt (5-3, 2-3), 7 p.m. Friday
Since the Wolves’ last loss, a 45-18 setback to Bothell in the final week of September, they sport a perfect 4-0 record and have played in only one close game, a 24-21 win over Woodinville three weeks ago.
The offense has trended up steadily and comes in scoring an even 40 points per in its last four games.
Defensively, last week’s effort against Redmond in a 50-14 win was the strongest since the opening week and comes at the right time, with the Roughriders looking to replicate last year’s run to the state quarterfinals.
Roosevelt torched Ballard 34-0 last week to finish the regular season and has won its last two after dropping three straight to begin the conference season.
The Wolves will look to take advantage of a defense that seems to have gained its footing after allowing 36 to Skyline and 35 each to Issaquah and Newport in lopsided losses.
Issaquah (5-3, 4-1) @ Redmond (5-3, 1-3), 7 p.m. Friday
The Eagles travel to Redmond for the crossover round with their season and a spot in the district playoffs on the line a week after falling short against rival Skyline.
Issaquah led that game at the half before ultimately falling and will play a Redmond team that won only a single division game, over Inglemoor, on the year. The winner will earn one of the five spots to next week’s district tournament.
Eastside Catholic (6-2, 3-1) VS. Cleveland (5-3, 5-1) @ Memorial Stadium, 5 p.m. Friday
The Crusaders bounced back from the deflating loss to O’Dea with a 41-12 win over Blanchet last week to earn a spot in the 3A district playoffs and set a Friday date with Cleveland in the Metro crossover round.
The Eagles have won two of their past three games.
