Category Archives: Yelm HS
Monday scoreboard: Bears, Blazers, Rams wins set up big Wednesday matches
High school volleyball
Olympia 3, Yelm 0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-21)
Timberline 3, Mount Tahoma 0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-17)
North Thurston 3, Lincoln 0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-5)
Hannah Adams and Rachel Kelson had nine and seven kills respectively and Kayla Challer racked up 26 assists to lead Olympia to a straight sets win over winless Yelm. With the win, the Bears move to 4-1 in the 4A Narrows League, one game behind Bellarmine. The Bears host Bellarmine on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
Timberline continued to roll through 3A Narrows League competition getting 18 kills from Riley Podowicz and 40 assists from Hunter Manke in a 3-0 win over Mount Tahoma. Meanwhile, North Thurston easily took care of Lincoln behind eight Brittany Rutherford kills. The Blazers and Rams both move to 5-0 in the 3A Narrows League setting up a match for first place on Wednesday when the Rams travel to Timberline at 7:00 PM.
Oly Sports high school football power rankings: Shakeup!
The Rams dominated Lincoln and jump to the #1 spot
Big shakeup in the Oly Sports power rankings as previous #1 Capital lost to Tumwater in double overtime, North Thurston dominated Lincoln in Tacoma and the battle of the unbeatens went convincingly to Shelton. So where does everybody end up? Let’s check out my highly unscientific look at where the 12 Olympia area football programs stand, in my (not so expert) opinion…
——————————————–
1. North Thurston Rams (4-0)
Last week: #3 (+2)
Previous game: North Thurston 36, Lincoln 7
Next game: vs. Wilson (2-2) – South Sound Stadium – Saturday, 7:00 PM
Notes: The Rams jump to the top spot after a dominating performance over the previously unbeaten Lincoln Abes at Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma. The Abes had scored 138 points in three games but the Rams’ stout defense held them scoreless until the very end of the game. The Rams have now given up just 42 points through four games, lowest in both the 3A and 4A Narrows League, and host a struggling Wilson Rams team on Saturday night.
2. Tenino Beavers (4-0)
Last week: #2 (No change)
Previous game: Tenino 28, Elma 12
Next game: @ Rainier (0-4) – Rainier HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: The high powered Beavers ran into a tough Forks defense that limited them to just two offensive touchdowns, so it was Tenino’s defense that stepped up and took two Spartans passes to the house. Devante Harris did the damage on offense again going for 233 yards and two touchdowns from Mac Shaw. Expect more from the Beavers this week when they try to spoil 0-4 Rainier’s homecoming.
3. Shelton Highclimbers (4-0)
Last week: #4 (+1)
Previous game: Shelton 38, Yelm 14
Next game: vs. Foss (1-2) – Highclimber Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Ralph Kinne was ridiculous rushing for another 274 yards and five touchdowns (four rushing and one kickoff return) but the Shelton defense deserves just as much credit for containing the Yelm Tornadoes rushing attack in the Highclimbers’ 38-14 win in Yelm. They surrendered a 65 yard run by Kyle Brownell on the first play of the game but bottled up Yelm’s all-time leading rusher, Jacob Swilley. Swilley did finish with 92 yards and a touchdown late in the game, but Yelm stayed home on the fakes and misdirections and limited the big plays.
4. Tumwater T-Birds (3-1)
Last week: #6 (+2)
Previous game: Tumwater 35, Capital 28 – 2OT
Next game: vs. WF West (3-1) – Tumwater Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Wow. If you have not seen how Tumwater tied their game against Capital on Satruday night, go to this video and scroll to the 5:40 mark and watch Jayden Croft just throw a jump ball with his back turned to Jamie Bryant for the two-point conversion. It is both the smartest and stupidest play I think I have ever seen. Ridiculous. And Tumwater took that tie and scored twice in overtime to knock off the #1 team in the state and take an early lead in the 2A EvCo. Winners of three straight, the T-Birds schedule is very favorable if they can get a homecoming win over WF West on Friday.
5. Timberline Blazers (3-1)
Last week: #7 (+2)
Previous game: Timberline 48, Wilson 20
Next game: vs. Lincoln (3-1) – South Sound Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Spencer Crump scored four times and the Blazers took a 48-7 lead over Wilson before surrendering a couple garbage time touchdowns. And with Tumwater’s shocker over Capital, Timberline’s loss to the T-Birds two weeks ago doesn’t look nearly as bad as it did. But they will get an angry Lincoln Abes team on Friday night in a game that could be a bit of a trap for the T-Birds. I expect a barn burner.
6. Capital Cougars (3-1)
Last week: #1 (-5)
Previous game: Tumwater 35, Capital 28 – 2OT
Next game: @ Centralia (0-4) – Tiger Stadium, Centralia – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: It’s hard to drop the Cougars this far in the rankings considering how they lost and I expect we’ll see them rise quickly again, but the loss to Tumwater was shocking considering how they played against three straight 4A schools to open the season. They should get right this weekend against 0-4 Centralia.
7. River Ridge Hawks (3-1)
Last week: #8 (+1)
Previous game: River Ridge 28, Hockinson 14
Next game: vs. Black Hills (3-1) – South Sound Stadium – Thursday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Brad Wallace scored twice and Wesley Coats caught a touchdown from Colby Shultz and River Ridge won their third straight knocking off previously unbeaten Hockinson in a battle of Hawks in Brush Prairie. Since they were shutout by Timberline in their opener, the Wolves have put 123 points on the board. Next up: a homecoming 2A EvCo opener against 3-1 Black Hills on Thursday night.
8. Black Hills Wolves (3-1)
Last week: #9 (+1)
Previous game: Black Hills 27, Aberdeen 6
Next game: @ River Ridge (3-1) – South Sound Stadium – Thursday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Aberdeen got on the board first after a scoreless first quarter, but the Wolves scored 27 unanswered thanks to touchdowns by four different rushers including an 81 yard scamper by Shayne Robinson and a 77 yard run by Jesse Perkinson. Like River Ridge, Black Hills has played well against everybody that isn’t in the 3A Narrows League. They were shutout by North Thurston for their only loss of the season.
9. Yelm Tornadoes (3-1)
Last week: #5 (-4)
Previous game: Shelton 38, Yelm 14
Next game: @ Central Kitsap (3-1) – Silverdale Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Yelm couldn’t stop Shelton’s Ralph Kinne nor could they move the ball against Shelton’s defense. Yes Yelm is 3-1 and sit at 1-0 in the 4A Narrows, but those three wins came over 0-4 Highline, 1-3 Olympic and 1-3 Stadium and they wilted against a bigger, stronger, faster Highclimbers team. I worry about Yelm the rest of the way but they could answer my concerns with a win over 3-1 Central Kitsap on Friday night.
10. Olympia Bears (1-3)
Last week: #11 (+1)
Previous game: Olympia 54, Stadium 7
Next game: @ South Kitsap (3-1) – SK Stadium, Port Orchard – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Olympia broke out and broke out in a big way. But the win came against a struggling Stadium squad so it’s really hard to tell what the win means in the big picture. The Bears next get a 3-1 South Kitsap team whose only loss came to Bellarmine last week.
11. Rochester Warriors (1-3)
Last week: #10 (-1)
Previous game: Hoquiam 54, Rochester 7
Next game: vs. Elma (1-3) – Rochester HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Hoquiam is really good. What else can you say about the Warriors’ loss? Next they get 1-3 Elma who waxed Rainier on Friday night to pick up their first win.
12. Rainier Mountaineers (0-4)
Last week: #12 (No change)
Previous game: Elma 47, Rainier 15
Next game: vs. Tenino (4-0) – Rainier HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Oh boy, poor Rainier. With the big loss to Elma, the Mountaineers have now been outscored 180-33 in four games. And it doesn’t get any easier with Tenino coming to town for homecoming on Friday night.
Get your homecoming on
Twitter follower @TimBallard asked tonight…
And I had to say no, not yet. But after a quick look around, I now have that homecoming football game list…
River Ridge – September 27th – vs. Black Hills
Rainier – September 28th – vs. Tenino
Shelton – September 28th – vs. Foss
Olympia – October 5th – vs. Central Kitsap
Black Hills – October 5th – vs. WF West
Tumwater – October 12th – vs. Centralia
North Thurston – October 19th – vs. Timberline
Capital – October 26th – vs. River Ridge
Timberline – October 26th – vs. Shelton
Rochester – October 26th – vs. Tenino
And he is right, homecoming games are always great events to attend. We called the game at Yelm and were blown away with everything that they did, including fireworks at halftime. And in Tenino, the marching band went Gangnam Style.
Notes: Tenino and Yelm have already played their homecoming games. Also, how about poor Rainier and Rochester scheduling Tenino for their homecoming games? And does it get any better than a rivalry homecoming game between two really good teams? North Thurston and Timberline is going to be a great one.
Friday scoreboard: Oly gets first win, Shelton holds down Yelm, Rams dominate Abes; OIT downs Geoducks; Oly Rollers win playoff opener
High school football
Olympia 54, Stadium 7
Black Hills 27, Aberdeen 6
Timberline 48, Wilson 20
Shelton 38, Yelm 14
North Thurston 36, Lincoln 7
River Ridge 28, Hockinson 14
Tenino 28, Forks 12
Elma 47, Rainier 15
Hoquiam 54, Rochester 7
College volleyball
Oregon Tech 3, Evergreen 1 – Recap from Evergreen athletics
Roller Derby
Oly Rollers 157, Rocky Mountain 92 – Recap from Derby News Network
Week 4: My 4 year-old daughter’s football picks
She’s busy studying and taking notes to bring you her expert picks
My 4 year-old daughter went 6-3 last week and is now 14-11 on the season. How are you doing with your picks? Well, she has a fresh batch for tonight’s games…
Black Hills Wolves vs. Aberdeen Bobcats
Her pick: Bobcats
“They have sharp, pointy teeth.”
Olympia Bears vs. Stadium Tigers
Her pick: Bears
“They have sharper claws.”
Shelton @ Yelm – Yelm HS Stadium – 7:00 PM
Her pick: Highclimbers
“The Highclimbers are just better.”
River Ridge Hawks vs. Hockinson Hawks
Her pick: Hockinson Hawks
“The Hawks fly faster than the Hawks.”
North Thurston Rams @ Lincoln Abes
Her pick: Abes
“He was a president!”
Timberline Blazers @ Wilson Rams
Her pick: Blazers
“The Blazers can fun faster than the Rams.”
Rochester Warriors @ Hoquiam Grizzlies
Her pick: Grizzlies
“The Grizzlies have pointy teeth and could eat the Warriors.”
Rainier Mountaineers @ Elma Eagles
Her pick: Mountaineers
“The Mountaineers can climb mountains and the Eagles can’t.”
Today (9/21): Football Friday; Geoducks volleyball hopes for first win
High school football
In the Olympia area…
Black Hills vs. Aberdeen – Tumwater Stadium – 7:00 PM
Olympia vs. Stadium – Ingersoll Stadium – 7:00 PM
Shelton @ Yelm – Yelm HS Stadium – 7:00 PM
River Ridge vs. Hockinson – South Sound Stadium – 7:00 PM
Tenino vs. Forks – Tenino Stadium – 7:00 PM
Out of town…
North Thurston @ Lincoln – Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma – 7:00 PM
Timberline @ Wilson – Stadium Bowl, Tacoma – 7:00 PM
Rochester @ Hoquiam – Olympic Stadium, Hoquiam – 7:00 PM
Rainier @ Elma – Elma High School – 7:00 PM
If I had pick one game to go to tonight in the Olympia area, it’s the game that I will be attending and calling for KMAS, the Shelton/Yelm game featuring the Highclimbers’ Ralph Kinne and the Tornadoes’ Jacob Swilley. But if you want to travel, the North Thurston/Lincoln game in Tacoma is worth the drive. Both teams are 3-0, Lincoln has a highpowered offense and North Thurston has had an outstanding defense all season long. The winner will claim sole possesion of first place in the 3A Narrows League.
Women’s volleyball
Evergreen vs. OIT – CRC Gymnasium – 7:00 PM
Oly Sports high school football power rankings: Week 4
Capital retains the top spot after a week which saw all but two local teams come out on top
Week three is in the books and all but two of the area’s teams picked up wins. Rainier was roughed up by Rochester and Oly played tough against Timberline before finally succumbing. So where do the previous #11 and #12 teams wind up this week? Welcome to the Oly Sports high school football power rankings, a highly unscientific look at where the 12 Olympia area football programs stand, in my (not so expert) opinion…
——————————————–
1. Capital Cougars (3-0)
Last week: #1 (No change)
Previous game: Capital 27, Bothell 11
Next game: vs. Tumwater (2-1) – Ingersoll Stadium – Saturday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Kai Van Sickle returned to the lineup and rushed for 224 yards and two touchdowns and 2A Capital knocked off their third straight 4A team in Bothell, who had previously lost to the #1 4A and 3A teams before falling to the #2 2A team. They open EvCo play on Saturday night at home against Tumwater in one of the more anticipated games of the season in the South Sound.
2. Tenino Beavers (3-0)
Last week: #2 (No change)
Previous game: Tenino 50, Elma 22
Next game: vs. Forks (2-1) – Tenino HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Mac Shaw and Devante Harris did it again in their 50-22 win over Elma on Friday night. Shaw threw for three touchdowns and rushed for three more and Harris caught two TDs and rushed for another. They did trail 16-14 in the second quarter and took just a 21-16 lead into the locker room at half before exploding in the third and fourth quarters.
3. North Thurston Rams (3-0)
Last week: #3 (No change)
Previous game: North Thurston 50, Black Hills 14
Next game: @ Lincoln (3-0) – Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: The North Thurston defense has been awesome through three games giving up just 35 points total and seven points when there was any doubt about the outcome. Between week two and the first half of week three, the Rams scored 51 unanswered points. That defense will be seriously tested this week when they face undefeated Lincoln. The Jon Kitna led Abes have scored 145 points and knocked off Mount Tahoma 55-0 on Friday.
4. Shelton Highclimbers (3-0)
Last week: #4 (No change)
Previous game: Shelton 35, Wilson 25
Next game: @ Yelm (3-0) – Yelm HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Ralph Kinne rushed for 359 yards putting him at 899 yards through three games and Deshon Bell had 180 yards including three touchdowns of 13, 59 and 40 yards in their 35-25 win over Wilson. Shelton has been plagued by penalties and it put them in a hole down 18-7 at halftime but the Highclimbers played a clean second half and made nice adjustments against an offensive style they had yet to see. Friday night’s non-leaguer against Yelm should be a lot of fun if you like great running backs.
5. Yelm Tornadoes (3-0)
Last week: #5 (No change)
Previous game: Yelm 45, Stadium 6
Next game: vs. Shelton (3-0) – Yelm HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: The Tornadoes have scored 147 points in their three games to move to 3-0, albeit against teams that are a combined 1-8 this season. They will get their first true test on Friday when they face Shelton. Jacob Swilley rushed for 224 yards and four touchdowns against Stadium on Friday and became the school’s all-time leading rusher.
6. Tumwater T-Birds (2-1)
Last week: #6 (No change)
Previous game: Tumwater 31, Inglemoor 28
Next game: @ Capital (3-0) – Ingersoll Stadium – Saturday, 7:00 PM
Notes: It took a 94 yard punt return by Andrew Brown to get past 0-2 Inglemoor on Friday night, but the T-Birds did get the win and have a little bit of momentum heading into Saturday’s 2A EvCo opener with Capital. Brown scored all three touchdowns in the second half for Tumwater, the first a 13 yard run, the second a 59 yard run before the punt return that proved to the the game winner.
7. Timberline Blazers (2-1)
Last week: #7 (No change)
Previous game: Timberline 23, Olympia 12
Next game: @ Wilson (2-1) – Stadium Bowl, Tacoma – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: I’m still not sure about this Timberline team. They knocked off River Ridge easily in week one, they then lost to Tumwater and on Friday they were only up on a struggling Olympia team by two points going into the fourth quarter. A big defensive play and a Spencer Crump touchdown run sealed the deal for the Blazers, but all things considered, this was quite the scare. The true barometer will come this weekend when they take on the aerial attack of Wilson in Tacoma
8. River Ridge Hawks (2-1)
Last week: #8 (No change)
Previous game: River Ridge 61, Ridgefield 40
Next game: @ Hockinson (3-0) – Nautilus Field, Brush Prairie – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Since they were shutout on opening day by Timberline, the Hawks have scored 95 points. Colby Schultz has nine touchdown passes, five to Wesley Coats. Brad Wallace scored five times on Saturday night against the Spudders, his first scores of the season. The Hawks get one more non-league game at 3-0 Hockinson on Friday night. The other Hawks have outscored their opponents 143-36 this season.
9. Black Hills Wolves (2-1)
Last week: #9 (No change)
Previous game: Black Hills 34, Bainbridge 20
Next game: vs. Aberdeen (1-2) – Tumwater Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: The Wolves rebounded nicely after getting shutdown by North Thurston with a 14 point win over Bainbridge on the road. Another non-league game is on tap when they host Aberdeen, losers to two 1A schools, albeit two really good 1A schools in Montesano and Hoquiam.
10. Rochester Warriors (1-2)
Last week: #10 (No change)
Previous game: Rochester 52, Rainier 0
Next game: @ Hoquiam (3-0) – Olympic Stadium, Hoquiam – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Rochester got on track quickly against Rainier behind five touchdowns by Tyler Yarber, four on the ground and one passing. But the Warriors travel to Olympic Stadium on Friday for what could be an ugly game against red hot Hoquiam.
11. Olympia Bears (0-3)
Last week: #12 (+1)
Previous game: Timberline 23, Olympia 12
Next game: vs. Stadium (1-2) – Ingersoll Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Well, they scored points and played Timberline pretty tough, hence the one place climb over Rainier. They have a chance to get things going this week when they take on what looks to be a weak Stadium team in their 4A Narrows League opener.
12. Rainier Mountaineers (0-3)
Last week: #11 (-1)
Previous game: Rochester 52, Rainier 0
Next game: @ Elma (0-3) – Elma Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: After getting blown out by Rochester, poor Rainier has been outscored 133-18 this season. The Mountaineers do get 0-3 Elma this week, something has to give.
Week 3: My 4 year-old’s football picks
I think that too many of us label ourselves as “experts” and take high school football way too seriously. You know who doesn’t? My four year-old daughter. Although at 4-4 last week and 4-4 the previous week, I’d say she isn’t doing too bad. She even seems to understand one thing about high school football: the faster teams win.
Here are her picks for the week three matchups…
Tumwater T-Birds vs. Inglemoor Vikings
Her pick: T-Birds
“Because they drink more water.”
Capital Cougars vs. Bothell Cougars
Her pick: Bothell
“I think the Cougars can run faster than the Cougars.”
Shelton Highclimbers vs. Wilson Rams
Her pick: Highclimbers
“Because Highclimbers eat lots of vegetables.”
Olympia Bears @ Timberline Blazers
Her pick: Bears
“Because Bears are really strong, daddy.”
Tenino Beavers vs. Elma Eagles
Her pick: Beavers
“Because Beavers have two teeth sticking out and Beavers are kinda fast when they are a football team.”
Rochester Warriors @ Rainier Mountaineers
Her pick: Mountaineers
“Because they are faster.”
Black Hills Wolves @ Bainbridge Spartans
Her pick: Wolves
“They howl.”
Yelm Tornadoes @ Stadium Tigers
Her pick: Tornadoes
“Tornadoes are faster than Tigers.”
Today (9/14): Geoduck men open CCC play; Friday night lights
First up today, head out to Evergreen Pitch for the Cascade Collegiate Conference opener between the Evergreen men’s soccer team and the College of Idaho.
Both teams come into the game winless in the preseason. The Geoducks are 0-3 with losses to Trinity Lutheran, Menlo and Rocky Mountain College. The Yotes are 0-2-2 with losses to Hope International and Westminster and draws with Northwest Nazarene and Whitman.
First touch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
Fútbol turns it over to football this evening with big games all around the South Sound. You can’t really go wrong with any of these games in the Olympia area. All games are at 7:00 PM…
Tumwater (1-1) vs. Inglemoor (0-2) – Tumwater Stadium – Listen on YourESN.com
Capital (2-0) vs. Bothell (0-2) – Ingersoll Stadium – Game can be heard on 1240 AM KGY
Shelton (2-0) vs. Wilson (2-0) – Highclimbers Stadium – Listen on AM 1030 KMAS or kmas.com
Olympia (0-2) @ Timberline (1-1) – Sputh Sound Stadium
Tenino (2-0) vs. Elma (0-2) – Tenino Stadium
Rochester (0-2) @ Rainier (0-2) – Rainier HS
Only two teams have to hit the road this week…
Black Hills (1-1) @ Bainbridge (1-1) – BI Stadium, Bainbridge Island
Yelm (2-0) @ Stadium (1-1) – Stadium Bowl, Tacoma
I will be broadcasting the Shelton/Wilson game on KMAS in what should be a really interesting game. If I had to pick one game to go see today besides the Highclimbers game, I’d go to Capital and Bothell. Capital is ranked #2 in 2A in the first statewide media poll while Bothell has lost both of their first two games but played 4A #1 Skyline and 3A #1 Bellevue closely.
Oly Sports high school football power rankings
Capital claims the top spot in the first Oly Sports high school football power rankings
Welcome to the first edition of the Oly Sports high school football power rankings, a highly unscientific look at where the 12 Olympia area football programs stand, in my opinion (I have chosen to include all Thurston County teams and Shelton in my football coverage this season).
——————————————–
1. Capital Cougars (2-0)
Previous game: Capital 19, Olympia 0
Next game: vs. Bothell (0-2) – Ingersoll Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Even without star running back Kai Van Sickle, the Cougars got the Spaghetti Bowl win over the struggling Olympia Bears and retained their 2A #1 ranking. Behind their talented offensive line, it might not matter who is running the ball this season. Sophomore Connor Kennedy ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Bothell is 0-2 but is still ranked #10 in 4A by The News Tribune after losing to 4A #1 Skyline in their opener and 3A #1 Bellevue last week.
2. Tenino Beavers (2-0)
Previous game: Tenino 55, Washougal 28
Next game: vs. Elma (0-2) – Tenino HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Is there a more dynamic duo in the South Sound than QB Mac Shaw and WR Devante Harris? Shaw completed 31 passes for 460 yards and five touchdowns and scored three rushing touchdowns in their win over 2A Washougal on Friday. Harris was on the receiving end of three of those touchdowns. Shaw has ten total touchdowns while Harris has scored six times himself.
3. North Thurston Rams (2-0)
Previous game: North Thurston 24, Black Hills 0
Next game: vs. Foss (0-1) – South Sound Stadium – Thursday, 7:00 PM
Notes: While the running attack has been on point, as expected, the Rams defense has been the star, blanking Black Hills, who were coming off of a nice offensive performance in their opener, and allowing just seven points to Steilacoom before mop up duty in the fourth quarter.
4. Shelton Highclimbers (2-0)
Previous game: Shelton 54, North Mason 24
Next game: vs. Wilson (2-0) – Highclimber Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Ralph Kinne is establishing himself as one of the premier running backs in the state with 538 yards and five touchdowns to start the season. As the voice of the Highclimbers, I’ve seen how he hits holes faster than anybody else I’ve seen and carries tacklers along for the ride and I think that even when the Highclimbers get to some of the top defenses in the 3A Narrows League, he’s still going to succeed. It helps to have a fullback in DeShon Bell that is equally dangerous.
5. Yelm Tornadoes (2-0)
Previous game: Yelm 49, Olympic 48
Next game: @ Stadium (1-1) – Stadium Bowl, Tacoma – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: The Tornadoes have put a lot of points on the board knocking off Highline 53-14 in the opener and Olympic 49-48 in overtime this week, but neither Highline or Olympic are particularly tough opponents and allowing 48 points to Olympic after they were shutout by Renton in their opener is troubling. The Tornadoes open 4A Narrows League play this week against Stadium, who was thrashed by Lincoln 56-13 on Friday night.
6. Tumwater T-Birds (1-1)
Previous game: Tumwater 48, Timberline 26
Next game: vs. Inglemoor (0-2) – Tumwater Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: I’m not sure what to think of this T-Birds team. In the opener against Shelton, they looked completely over-matched by the Highclimbers but a big win over Timberline behind five touchdowns from Andrew Brown (one punt return, one passing, two running and one interception return) has them back on track. And this week, they host 0-2 Inglemoor, who has only put 16 points on the board in two games.
7. Timberline Blazers (1-1)
Previous game: Tumwater 48, Timberline 26
Next game: vs. Olympia (0-2) – South Sound Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: One has to be concerned at the way that Timberline lost to Tumwater. They were beaten every which way possible. Two passes intercepted and taken back, one punt returned, three rushing TDs, one pass. But they did shutout River Ridge in the opener and host a reeling Olympia team coming off two straight shutouts.
8. River Ridge Hawks (1-1)
Previous game: River Ridge 34, Sequim 0
Next game: vs. Ridgefield (2-0) – South Sound Stadium – Saturday, 7:00 PM
Notes: After getting shutout by Timberline in their opener, the Hawks traveled to Sequim and beat up on a Sequim team that lost their first game to Shelley, Idaho 42-0. So what to make of this River Ridge team? They will get a serious test on Saturday when Ridgefield comes to town. The Spudders are 2-0 and have beaten Rochester and Kalama by a combined 63-14.
9. Black Hills Wolves (1-1)
Previous game: North Thurston 24, Black Hills 0
Next game: @ Bainbridge Island (1-1) – BI Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: The Wolves blew out Clover Park in their opener and had high hopes for their offense. But North Thurston held that offense in check on Thursday night and it remains to be seen which offense will show up the rest of the year. But, the defense did play relatively well against the Rams. They play their only game away from town this weekend when they go to Bainbridge Island. River Ridge and Black Hills could easily be switched, but since the Hawks won last week, they get the nod at #8 over the Wolves.
10. Rochester Warriors (0-2)
Previous game: RA Long 47, Rochester 19
Next game: @ Rainier (0-2) – Rainier HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: The Warriors started out with a pretty tough schedule playing two 2A Greater Saint Helen’s League teams in a row. They gave up 28 first quarter points to RA Long but played them fairly evenly the rest of the way on Friday night. They next travel to Rainier to open 1A Evergreen Conference play against the 0-2 Mountaineers.
11. Rainier Mountaineers (0-2)
Previous game: Mossyrock 42, Rainier 12
Next game: vs. Rochester (0-2) – Rainier HS – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Unlike Rochester, the Mountaineers have played down, getting handled by two 2B Central League teams to open the season, which is understandable considering Mac Shaw moved on to Tenino in the off-season. Their cross county match-up with Rochester on Friday will be a tough test despite the Warriors losing record.
12. Olympia Bears (0-2)
Previous game: Capital 19, Olympia 0
Next game: @ Timberline (1-1) – South Sound Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM
Notes: Are the Bears the worst team in the area? No way. They have played arguably the best team in Oregon and one of the best teams in Washington in their two losses. But are they the only team in the area to be 0-2 and not score a point so far this season? Yes they are. So for now, they have to be on the bottom of these power rankings. And it doesn’t get any easier for the Bears. They head to South Sound Stadium to take on Timberline Friday night.
Oly Sports 