Prep Football Notebook | Kentwood back ailing
Demitrius Bronson doesn’t expect to play Friday night when Kentwood faces Kentlake in what likely will be a must-win football game for the Conquerors’ playoff hopes.
Bronson, one of the state’s top running backs and a Washington recruit, was averaging more than 200 yards per game before spraining an ankle late in the first half against Federal Way nearly three weeks ago. He sat out against Kent-Meridian, a game the Conquerors won, then was reinjured on only his third carry last week against Tahoma, apparently straining his Achilles tendon.
“I’m still questionable and I probably won’t play,” Bronson said. “I’ll wait for the playoffs.”
The Conquerors (5-3 overall, 4-2 league) have to get there first. After losing to Tahoma in double overtime on a failed extra-point attempt, they likely will have to beat Kentlake (3-5, 3-3) to advance from the South Puget Sound League 4A North Division.
Korey Rodriguez filled in admirably for Bronson against Tahoma, with 102 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns.
Kennedy coach wary of Renton’s big Gunn
Kennedy can claim a share of the Seamount League title with a victory over eighth-ranked Renton tonight.
But Lancers coach Bob Bourgette doesn’t expect that to be easy.
“I’ve said all along they’re the best team in our league,” he said. “They’re scary.”
Bourgette especially respects Renton quarterback Justin Gunn.
“When you talk about pure talent and leadership ability, there’s no one better than Justin Gunn,” he said. “He can run and he can throw and he’s tough.”
The Indians (7-1, 6-0) have not beaten Kennedy since 1990, when they won their last league championship. The Lancers (5-3, 5-1), whose league loss was to No. 9 Evergreen (7-1, 5-1), have won the past five Seamount titles and 13 of the last 14. Evergreen was the Seamount champion in 2001 and needs a Kennedy win over Renton to get a piece of this year’s crown.
Three-way tie possible in WesCo North
The playoff picture in the WesCo North could get really messy.
The top two teams - Oak Harbor and Snohomish - are set, but the third and final playoff spot is up for grabs. Cascade (6-2, 5-2), Lake Stevens (5-3, 4-3) and Marysville-Pilchuck (4-4, 4-3) are all in the mix.
If Cascade wins, the Bruins are in. But they have to play at undefeated Oak Harbor.
If Cascade loses, there are multiple scenarios, including a three-way tie. It would be decided by a playoff Tuesday at Marysville-Pilchuck. M-P, which won a preseason draw, would have a bye and play the survivor of a Cascade-Lake Stevens playoff. The format would be a Kansas-style tiebreaker, or one-half game.
Lake Stevens goes into Friday’s must-win game at Everett beat up. Running back Isaac Molstre sprained his right ankle two weeks ago in a loss to Oak Harbor and was limited last week against Snohomish.
“His ankle’s still bugging him,” said Vikings coach Tom Tri. “But he’s a tough kid.”
Molstre will likely play Friday. Junior running back Bo Dickinson (groin pull) is also injured.
Issaquah: Win or face the consequences
The Issaquah Eagles know it’s as simple as this: Win at Newport tonight, and they make the postseason for the second consecutive season.
Lose, and things get complicated.
Lose, and the Eagles could miss the playoffs altogether. Or they would have to play a three-team tiebreaker with Mount Si and Liberty next week.
So all the Eagles (5-3, 4-3 KingCo 3A) are thinking about is beating Newport and avoiding all those complications.
“Easier said than done,” offensive coordinator Chris Bennett said.
The Knights (6-2, 5-2) average 27 points and rush for more than 270 yards per game out of their wing-T offense. With top rusher Blake Gibbs likely out for the third consecutive week, Newport will rely on senior Colin Bennett, who has rushed for 187 yards in the past two games.
Issaquah defensive coordinator Rex Romer has relied on a base defense this season, which allows the Eagles to focus better against the multiple runners in Newport’s offense. He switched to the same defense in the second half of Issaquah’s 35-17 victory against Newport in last season’s finale, and Eagles shut out the Knights after halftime.
“It worked like a charm,” senior defensive tackle Jared Warren said.
Broken foot sidelines Rainier Beach lineman
Another week, another big injury for Rainier Beach.
Offensive guard Alameda Ta’amu, one of the premier prospects in the state, will miss his second straight game with a broken foot.
“It’s just indicative of how this year has been,” said Beach coach Mark Haley.
The Vikings had already lost a number of starters to torn ACLs and broken bones, forcing many young players into starting roles.
Despite the misfortune, Rainier Beach can advance to the preliminary round of the state playoffs with a win Saturday against Eastside Catholic.
Nathan Hale trying to return to top in Metro
Twenty-seven years have passed since Nathan Hale last won the Metro League championship in 1980.
Hundreds of players have come and gone since, but coach Hoover Hopkins thinks this year’s team is different.
“There’s something about Hale. These kids are different from any I’ve coached before,” Hopkins said. “I don’t know that they’ve had a bad practice all year. They’re very self-motivated, usually eager to learn and get better.”
The Raiders face O’Dea Friday night for the Metro championship. The fourth-ranked Irish have won the last two years.
More touches for Crusaders’ Taylor
Don’t be surprised if you see Eastside Catholic wide receiver Vince Taylor lining up the backfield.
Crusaders coach Bill Marsh gave his 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior 11 rushing attempts in each of the last two games in an attempt to get the future Washington Husky more touches.
“It allows us to do some interesting things that are hard to defend,” Marsh said.
Notes
• Kentwood quarterback Luke Angevine is the cousin of Kentlake running back Taylor Angevine. The teams play Friday night at French Field.
• Lakeside is finally 100-percent healthy for the first time, according to coach Bill McMahon. “Not like it would’ve helped against O’Dea [last week],” he said.
• Eastside Catholic won a coin toss with West Seattle Wednesday, which would break a potential tie after this weekend’s games. If both teams win, the Crusaders would be the No. 3 seed from the Metro League. West Seattle would be No. 4.
• Eastside Catholic linebacker Drew Wate (ankle) is doubtful to return for Saturday’s game with Rainier Beach.
Times staff reporter Tom Wyrwich and freelancers Zach Landres-Schnur and Joshua Mayers contributed to this report.