Last week, two of the Harbor’s largest schools (Hoquiam and Elma) joined Aberdeen in canceling its games due to COVID-19 issues in the middle of the week.
While Hoquiam has reverted back to online learning and has canceled football though Sept. 25, both Aberdeen and Elma have games scheduled for Friday.
But in this uncertain era of governmental COVID and contact-tracing cancellations, that could change in an instant.
Before venturing out this weekend to watch your favorite Twin Harbors football team’s game, be sure to check thedailyworld.com and with the school for any possible cancellations.
Montesano at Castle Rock
When and Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Castle Rock High School
Players to Watch: Montesano — Jayden McElravy QB, Isaiah Pierce RB/LB, Caydan Lovell WR/DB, Kenny Koonrad OL/DL. Castle Rock — Chance Naugle QB, Chase Rusher WR/FS, Lane Partridge WR/OLB.
Montesano has impressed in outscoring its opponents 93-0 in its two victories this season, but those came against teams that are a combined 0-6.
On Friday, Montesano will face a much tougher test on the road against Castle Rock.
The Rockets feature an athletic quarterback in Chance Naugle and have had time to prepare for the Bulldogs after their Week 3 scheduled game against Elma was canceled due to COVID.
Monte’s offense has been rolling along this season and led by quarterback Jayden McElravy (8-11, 91, TD) and running back Isaiah Pierce (13-158, 2 TD), racked up 362 yards of offense in last week’s 53-0 win over Columbia-White Salmon.
The Bulldogs defense has also been stellar, allowing just 47 yards of offense to the Bruins while pitching a shutout for the second consecutive game.
Aberdeen at Foster
When and Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Foster High School, Tukwila
Players to Watch: Aberdeen — Jeremy Sawyer RB/LB, Liam Heikkila RB/LB, Kale Goings QB/DB.
Last week was a disappointing one for the Aberdeen Bobcats, not because of what happened on the field but because of what happened off it.
Aberdeen canceled its scheduled game against Tumwater last week due to possible COVID exposure to a small amount of its student-athletes. The cancellation robbed the burgeoning Bobcats program of the opportunity to see where it measures up against the state’s top-ranked 2A team.
Aberdeen now turns its attention to the Foster Bulldogs, a team that has also seen its share of COVID-related cancellations this season.
Foster has played just one game to this point of the season, falling 40-25 to Sammamish last week.
King’s Way Christian at Elma
When and Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Davis Field, Elma
Players to Watch: Elma — Jarred Bailey RB/LB, Connar Baxter RB, René Duran FS. King’s Way Christian — Brayden Schiefer QB, Jamison Duke WR/DB.
Elma will play for just the second time in four weeks when the Eagles host King’s Way Christian on Friday.
For the second time this season, an Elma football game was canceled. The Eagles were scheduled to play Castle Rock last Friday, but due to COVID contact tracing issues Elma administrators announced the cancellation of the game just a few hours before kickoff.
An Eagles team plagued by injuries and COVID cancellations this season showed some grit in a 21-14 win over Hudson’s Bay on Sept. 3. That was the last time Elma saw the field, which brings up the question: How will three weeks removed from actual competition under the Friday night lights affect the Eagles?
Luckily for the Eagles, running back Connar Baxter returns this week and senior René Duran is slated as “probable” at free safety for Friday’s game.
King’s Way Christian enters Friday’s matchup 0-2, falling 56-21 to Tenino and 32-0 last Saturday to Bellevue Christian.
Against Tenino, KWC trailed 56-7 at the half. Knights sophomore quarterback Brayden Schiefer threw for 303 yards on 12-for-31 passing in that game, with two of his three TD passes going to receiver Jamison Duke (6-209, 2 TD).
Pe Ell-Willapa Valley at Forks
When and Where: 7 p.m. Friday at Forks High School
Players to Watch: PWV — Tyler Adkins QB/DB, Derek Fluke RB/LB, Blake Howard RB/LB. Forks — Logan Olson QB, Nate Dahlgren RB/LB, Sloan Tumaua RB/LB, Dalton Kilmer WR/DB
Pe Ell-Willapa Valley has a true test when it takes on the fifth-ranked team in the 2B class — the Forks Spartans — on Friday at Spartan Field.
PWV looked like an improved team in last Friday’s 42-7 win over Raymond-South Bend as aside from a a first quarter fumble and interception, they were able to hold on to the football and limit mistakes during a serious rainstorm.
Running backs Derek Fluke (14-127, 2TD) and Blake Howard (17-101, TD) both broke 100 yards in last week’s victory.
In Forks, the Titans face a former 1A school that dropped to the 2B class last season and is currently 2-0 this year.
The Spartans are led by quarterback Logan Olson, who threw for 249 yards and two TDs in a 56-28 victory over Sequim on Sept. 3.
Forks defeated Ilwaco 32-12 on the road last Friday.
Raymond-South Bend at North Beach
When and Where: 7 p.m. at North Beach High School, Ocean Shores
Players to Watch: RSB — Adrian Quintana QB/DB, Ty Reidinger RB/LB, Deleak Hubbard RB/DB. North Beach — Sam Teague QB/LB, Westin Fruh TE/DE, Jonathan Jerome OL/DL.
Both Raymond-South Bend and North Beach will be searching for their first win of the season when the two teams face off on Friday in Ocean Shores.
The Ravens enter Friday’s game on the heels of a 42-7 loss in pounding rainstorm against Pe Ell-Willapa Valley last week, a game in which the Ravens lost seven fumbles — six in the second half alone.
Running back Ty Reidinger led the Ravens with 119 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown in the loss to the Titans.
North Beach will look to quarterback Sam Teague to kickstart an offense that has yet to score this season.
The Hyaks have been outscored 104-0 in its two losses, but those defeats came at the hands of undefeated 1A Tenino and Napavine, the state’s second-ranked team in the 2B class.
Other games
Taholah at Winlock, 7 p.m. Friday
Lake Quinault at Mary M. Knight, 1 p.m. Saturday
Northwest Christian at Wishkah Valley, 1 p.m. Saturday
Ocosta at Oakville, 7 p.m. Saturday
RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD PWV running back Derek Fluke (24) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown during the Titans’ 42-7 victory over Raymond-South Bend last week in South Bend. PWV faces No. 5 Forks, while RSB takes on North Beach on Friday.
