The River Ridge Hawks are flying high this season, sitting alone in first place of the 2A South Puget Sound League standings and senior dual-threat quarterback Kobe Key has been the steady hand at the helm. His outstanding play over the past two weeks and throughout the season has earned him the OlySports.com and TAGS Awards and Specialties Premier Player Award this week.

With six returning starters from a 9-2 team, there were questions marks for this Hawks offense coming into the season. How would they replace star running back Michael Key and SPSL offensive MVP Chris Leiba? Without much experience, who would step up and lead this team?

But those questions were quickly answered in their 39-8 season opener defeat of Aberdeen. Kobe Key passed for 144 yards and two touchdowns and his returning presence along with an experienced offensive line allowed newcomer running back Gustavo Diaz to emerge with 135 yards and two touchdowns and an easy Thursday night win.

“It’s a continuation of the job he did last season,” said Hawks head coach Steve Schultz. “He makes the offense go. The offense runs because he is at the helm.”

Two weeks ago Key passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another in their 35-14 dismantling of previously unbeaten Orting on the road. Last weekend, he passed for two touchdowns and rushed for one more against an over matched White River squad in a 40-6 win at South Sound Stadium. That win, plus Washington’s upset of Fife, left River Ridge as the only unbeaten squad in the 2A SPSL.

For the season, Key has thrown for eight touchdowns and rushed for six including a 103 rushing yard, three touchdown performance in a 26-19 redemption against Franklin Pierce, the one team that tripped them up in the regular season last year.

“I come out, just make the right decisions and setup every play,” said a reluctant Key when pressed to talk about himself. “We have a great line, great running backs and a great defense to give us the ball back.”

Diaz has emerged as a their go to running back and teamed with his quarterback Key, they have turned into a great 1-2 punch for the Hawks. But 10 different players have scored offensive touchdowns  with Key serving as the catalyst and spreading the ball around. He has also recovered a fumble on defense and served as the team’s kicker at times.

“Combine leadership with athletic ability with wanting to win and wanting to play for his teammates,” said Schultz. “He’s incredible.”

The Hawks travel to second place Washington this weekend with a one game advantage on Washington, Fife, Steilacoom and Franklin Pierce in the 2A SPSL standings. The road gets a little tougher for the Hawks here on out with three of their last four games against one of those second place teams.

Previous Premier Player Award Winners:
Scott Gunther – Olympia High School
Maddy Midstokke – Capital High School

*** About the OlySports.com and TAGS Awards & Specialties Premier Player award: The Premier Player award will be handed out every week (the male and female award will alternate weeks) to a Thurston County high school athlete. Brandon Sparks of OlySports.com will choose each award and all inquires can be directed to him at olysportsblog@gmail.com. Coaches can also email Brandon with nominations. The award winner will be chosen every Monday and awarded on Wednesday or Thursday throughout the school year.

Four 5-0 teams remain in the area: Olympia, River Ridge, Tumwater and Black Hills. Of those four teams, River Ridge and Tumwater look like the two teams that could come out of the regular season unscathed. Olympia has been the most impressive team so far and they could also emerge from the 4A Narrows unbeaten, but a big upset of Gig Harbor would have to be in the cards for that to happen.

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1. Olympia Bears (5-0 overall, 2-0 4A Narrows)
Last week: #1 (no change)
Previous game: Beat Issaquah, 32-14
Next game: @ Stadium (1-2 4A Narrows, 2-3 overall ) – Stadium Bowl, Tacoma – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: Scott Gunther continues to run wild for the Bears and they have moved up to #7 in 4A in the latest AP poll. Issaquah held them to their lowest point total of the season but they still won comfortably and will next face a much improved Stadium team in Tacoma. As long as they don’t look past the Tigers (highly unlikely), the Bears are setup to host Gig Harbor in a battle of unbeatens on Friday, October 16th.

2. River Ridge Hawks (5-0 overall, 3-0 2A SPSL)
Last week: #3 (+1)
Previous game: Beat White River, 40-6
Next game: @ Washington (2-1 2A SPSL, 3-2 overall) – Franklin Pierce HS – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: River Ridge had no problem with White River and has to thank Washington for knocking off Fife to give the Hawks sole possession of first place in the 2A SPSL. Now the Hawks have to face Washington on the road in a game that turns out to be far more important than previously expected.

3. Tumwater T-Birds (5-0 overall)
Last week: #4 (+1)
Previous game: Beat Columbia River, 54-14
Next game: @ Centralia (2-2 overall) – Tiger Stadium, Centralia – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: Easton Trakel is back for the T-Birds after missing the first four weeks of the season, giving the T-Birds even more firepower. They showed that off by hammering Columbia River. They kick off their 2A EvCo schedule on Friday against Centralia who didn’t play last week after Centralia High School was evacuated because of a threat.

4. Black Hills Wolves (5-0 overall, 1-0 2A EvCo)
Last week: #2 (-2)
Previous game: Beat WF West, 24-21
Next game: vs. Port Angeles (1-4 overall) – Tumwater Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: The Wolves got the big win over WF West but it was the closest game any of the top four teams have played this season, hence the slight drop in the power rankings. This week they host Port Angeles and should blow them out, but after that it really gets tough. This week is their last home game, they take on undefeated Kelso in a non-league road game on the 16th and then are the road team in the Pioneer Bowl on the 23rd before ending the season at Centralia.

5. Tenino Beavers (4-1 overall, 2-1 2A/1A Evergreen)
Last week: #5 (no change)
Previous game: Beat Forks, 47-14
Next game: @ Aberdeen (0-3 2A/1A EvCo 0-5 overall) – Stewart Field, Aberdeen – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: Last season, after they lost to Hoquiam, the Beavers lost five of their next six games including losses to Elma and Forks. This season, the Beavers bounced back from their loss to the Grizzlies and have buried both the Eagles and the Spartans (a game in which they didn’t even throw a pass). Next up is Aberdeen, who they should also bury, before finishing with Eatonville, Montesano and Rochester.

6. Rainier Mountaineers (3-2 overall, 2-2 2B Pacific)
Last week: #6 (no change)
Previous game: Lost to North Beach, 54-22
Next game: @ Tacoma Baptist (1-4 2B Pacific, 1-3 overall) – Viking Stadium, University Place – Saturday, 7:00 PM

Notes: The Mountaineers led #3 North Beach 22-20 at the half before the Hyaks took control. Now Rainier has both Raymond and North Beach past them, they can focus on four winable games ahead of them, the biggest of which is in two weeks when they host Life Christian.

7. North Thurston Rams (3-2 overall, 2-1 3A Narrows)
Last week: #7 (no change)
Previous game: Beat Foss, 28-7
Next game: vs. Lincoln (3-0 3A Narrows, 5-0 overall) – South Sound Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: The Rams got the easy win over Foss, as they should have, but now Lincoln comes to town. The #3 team in 3A will be without their star quarterback, Joey Sinclair, but Willie Hamilton has filled in nicely for the Abes.

8. Rochester Warriors (3-2 overall, 2-1 2A/1A Evergreen)
Last week: #10 (+2)
Previous game: Beat Aberdeen, 27-6
Next game: @ Eatonville ( 1-2 2A/1A Evergreen, 2-3 overall) – Eatonville HS – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: Rochester beat two of the three 2A teams that they played this season but because of their loss to Black Hills and Elma, they are out of the playoffs. Maybe it doesn’t really matter because the next four weeks are really tough. Eatonville this week, then Montesano, Hoquiam and Tenino to finish the season.

9. Capital Cougars (1-4 overall, 1-2 3A Narrows)
Last week: #8 (-1)
Previous game: Lost to Central Kitsap, 31-20
Next game: vs. Wilson (2-1 3A Narrows, 2-3 overall) – Ingersoll Stadium – Friday, 7:30 PM

Notes: According to the Scoreczar.org computer, Capital is the #33 team in 3A despite their 1-4 record. At #30, #31 and #32 are three 4-1 teams, Mountlake Terrace, Hanford and Cleveland. That tells you a lot about the strength of their schedule over the first five weeks. Do not be surprised if the Cougars ran the table from here on out to finish 5-4. Wilson, Mount Tahoma, North Thurston and Shelton are all very winnable games.

10. Shelton Highclimbers (2-3 overall, 1-2 3A Narrows)
Last week: #9 (-1)
Previous game: Lost to Wilson, 24-23
Next game: vs. Central Kitsap (3-0 3A Narrows, 3-2 overall) – Highclimbers Stadium – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: The Highclimbers came within inches of beating Wilson despite being thoroughly dominated on both sides of the ball by the Rams. Shelton gained just 128 yards total while Wilson gained 204 yards on 10-of-15 third down conversions. The Highclimbers took advantage of special teams mistakes before two special teams mistakes of their own doomed them in the end. Still, this team could beat Central Kitsap this weekend and finish with winnable games against North Thurston, Mount Tahoma and Capital.

11. Timberline Blazers (1-4 overall, 1-2 4A Narrows)
Last week: #10 (-1)
Previous game: Lost to Bellarmine, 33-6
Next game: vs. Gig Harbor (3-0 4A Narrows, 5-0 overall) – South Sound Stadium – Thursday, 7:00 PM

Notes: Bellarmine last week, Gig Harbor this week. Ouch. They get Stadium, Puyallup and South Kitsap in the final three weeks.

12. Yelm Tornadoes (3-2 overall, 1-2 4A Narrows)
Last week: #10 (-2)
Previous game: Lost to Stadium, 40-37
Next game: @ Evergreen (2-3 overall) – Mckenzie Stadium, Vancouver – Friday, 7:00 PM

Notes: Brandon Thompson rushed for four touchdowns but the Tornadoes fell after a late Stadium touchdown. They travel to Vancouver for a non-league game this week but face Bellarmine, Gig Harbor and Olympia over the last three weeks with only one of those at home. Oof.

Girls Soccer
Olympia 4, Timberline 1

4A Narrows League Standings
 1. Gig Harbor............6-0
 2. Bellarmine............5-1
 3. Stadium...............4-2
 4. Yelm..................2-3
    South Kitsap..........2-3
 6. Olympia...............1-5
 7. Timberline............0-6

Capital 11, Foss 0
North Thurston 7, Mount Tahoma 1

3A Narrows League Standings
 1. Capital.............6-0-1
    Central Kitsap......6-0-1
 3. North Thurston........5-2
 4. Wilson................4-3
 5. Mount Tahoma..........3-4
 6. Shelton...............2-5
 7. Lincoln.............0-6-1
 8. Foss................0-6-1

Black Hills 5, Centralia 1
Tumwater 3, WF West 0

2A Evergreen Conference Standings
 1. Tumwater..............2-0
 2. Black Hills...........1-1
    WF West...............1-1
 4. Centralia.............0-2

Franklin Pierce 3, River Ridge 2

2A SPSL Standings
 1. White River...........7-0
 2. Fife..................6-1
 3. Franklin Pierce.......5-2
 4. Steilacoom............4-3
 5. Orting................3-4
 6. River Ridge...........2-5
 7. Washington............1-6
 8. Clover Park...........0-7

High School Volleyball
Timberline 3, Yelm 0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-23)

4A Narrows League Standings
 1. Bellarmine............7-0
 2. Timberline............6-1
 3. Olympia...............4-2
 4. Gig Harbor............4-3
 5. South Kitsap..........2-5
 6. Stadium...............1-6
 7. Yelm..................0-7

Tumwater 3, WF West 0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-15)
Black Hills 3, Centralia 0 (20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 18-25, 15-12)

2A Evergreen Standings
 1. Tumwater..............1-0
    Black Hills...........1-0
 3. Centralia.............0-1
    WF West...............0-1

Northwest Christian 3, South Bend 2 (23-25, 25-17, 25-12, 23-25, 15-12)

2B Pacific Standings
 1. Northwest Christian...4-0
    Ocosta................4-0
 3. Life Christian........3-0
 4. Raymond...............2-0
 5. Willapa Valley........3-1
 6. South Bend............1-2
 7. North Beach...........1-3
    Rainier...............1-3
 9. Chief Leschi..........0-3
    Tacoma Baptist........0-3
 11. Ilwaco...............0-4

College Volleyball
Seattle Pacific 3, Saint Martin’s 0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-16) – Box Score

Great Northwest Athletic Conference Standings
 1. Alaska Anchorage......6-0
    Western Washington....6-0
 3. Central Washington....5-1
 4. Northwest Nazarene....4-2
 5. Simon Fraser..........3-3
 6. Seattle Pacific.......3-4
 7. Concordia.............2-4
    Alaska Fairbanks......2-4
 9. Western Oregon........1-5
    MSU-Billings..........1-5
 11. Saint Martin's.......1-6

High School Volleyball
Capital 3, Wilson 0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-15)
North Thurston 3, Foss 0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-7)

3A Narrows League Standings
 1. North Thurston...8-0
 2. Central Kitsap...7-1
 3. Capital..........6-2
 4. Shelton..........5-3
 5. Lincoln..........3-5
 6. Wilson...........2-6
 7. Mount Tahoma.....1-7
 8. Foss.............0-8

Fife 3, River Ridge 0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-15)

2A SPSL Standings
1. White River.......7-0
2. Franklin Pierce...6-1
3. Steilacoom........5-2
4. Fife..............4-3
5. Orting............3-4
6. Washington........2-5
7. Clover Park.......1-6
8. River Ridge.......0-7

Men’s Soccer
Saint Martin’s 2, Western Washington 1 – Box Score

Kyle Witzel and Austin Yon scored second half goals to lead Saint Martin’s to a 2-1 win over Western Washington in Bellingham on Saturday night. The Saints picked up their first GNAC win of the season and their first win against Western since 2011. Nick Rosato made three saves in goal for SMU. The Saints are now 1-4-0 in the GNAC and 2-6-0 overall.

Evergreen 11, Walla Walla 0 – Box Score

Tanner Williams and Juan Lopez each tallied a hat trick in Evergreen’s 11-0 dismantling of CCC newcomer Walla Walla on Saturday night. Juan Oropeza, Ziggy Awad, Ryan Porch and Connor Beck all got in on the action with goals in the romp. Angel Guerra recorded the shutout in goal for the Geoducks who improved to 7-1-0 overall and 4-1-0 in CCC play.

Tacoma CC 3, SPSCC 0 – Box Score

Olympia High School alum Connor Desmond scored the first goal and another Oly grad, Evan Munn, made four saves for Tacoma Community College to lead them to a 3-0 win over SPSCC on Saturday in Tacoma. Brock Leeper made four saves for the Clippers.

Women’s Soccer
Montana State-Billings 4, Saint Martin’s 1 – Box Score

College Volleyball
Evergreen 3, Walla Walla 0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-22) Box Score

Girls Soccer
Black Hills 4, Timberline 1

High School Football
Wilson 24, Shelton 23

Tyler Giraldes scored on a one yard run with 1:04 left to play pulled Shelton to within a point, 24-23. But Wilson got a finger on the PAT to drive it wide right and preserve the one point lead. Shelton recovered the onside kick and drove down to the 13 yard line after a penalty wiped out a Wilson interception. With nine seconds left, Cody Bragg’s field goal hit the right upright and fell no good and the Wilson Rams held on to take the big 3A Narrows League win.

Wilson out gained the Highclimbers 360 yards to 128 yards on offense and they converted 10-of-15 3rd downs with 204 yards on those plays. Elijah Jones ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

But the Rams turned over the ball four times leading to ten Highclimbers points. Two of those turnovers were on special teams with a fumble on a punt and a fumble on a kickoff. They also allowed a 99 yard kickoff return touchdown to Colton Paller, had a punt blocked and couldn’t recover the onside kick with a minute left in the game.

Shelton fell to 1-2 in the 3A Narrows League and 2-3 overall while the Rams improved to 2-1 in league and 2-3 overall.

In other action…
Black Hills 24, WF West 21 | Wolves 5-0 on Furu’s 30 yard touchdown run.
Central Kitsap 31, Capital 20 | Capital fell to 1-4 overall, 1-2 in league.
North Thurston 28, Foss 7 | Sibley and Morgan with two touchdowns apiece.
Olympia 32, Issaquah 14 | Scott Gunther runs for four touchdowns. Bears 5-0.
North Beach 54, Rainier 22 | Rainer led 22-20 at halftime.
River Ridge 40, White River 6 | Hawks 5-0 for the first time.
Rochester 27, Aberdeen 6
Tenino 47, Forks 14 | Beavers move to 4-1 overall.
Bellarmine 33, Timberline 6 | Blazers now 1-4, 1-2 in league.
Tumwater 54, Columbia River 14 | Jarid Barrett runs for four touchdowns.
Stadium 40, Yelm 37 | Brandon Thompson runs for four TDs in loss.

Men’s Soccer
Evergreen 7, Multnomah 0 – Box Score

Evergreen moved to 6-1-0 overall and 3-1-0 in the CCC with a 7-0 win over CCC newcomer Multnomah. Juan Lopez and Issa Hassan each scored twice and Ziggy Awad, Nate Boatright and Willie Spurr each added goals in the easy win. The Geoducks held a 29-6 shots advantage with 16 on goal compared to just two for the Lions.

I keep losing track of time and forgetting to get my girls picks. My apologies. Will make it a point next week because without their picks, I don’t know how to look at these games.

Anyway, here is the full schedule with broadcast information.

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Black Hills Wolves @ WF West Bearcats
Bearcats Stadium, Chehalis – 7:00 PM | Radio: KELA

Capital Cougars @ Central Kitsap Cougars
Silverdale Stadium – 7:30 PM

North Thurston Rams @ Foss Falcons
Mount Tahoma Stadium, Tacoma – 7:00 PM

Olympia Bears vs. Issaquah Eagles
Ingersoll Stadium – 7:00 PM

Rainier Mountaineers @ North Beach Hyaks
North Beach HS – 7:00 PM

River Ridge Hawks vs. White River Hornets
South Sound Stadium – 7:00 PM | Webcast: Eli Sports

Rochester Warriors vs. Aberdeen Bobcats
Rochester HS – 7:00 PM

Shelton Highclimbers @ Wilson Rams
Stadium Bowl, Tacoma – 7:00 PM | Radio: KMAS

Tenino Beavers vs. Forks Spartans
Tenino Stadium – 7:00 PM | Radio: Forks 1490

Timberline Blazers @ Bellarmine Lions
Memorial Stadium, Tacoma – 7:00 PM

Tumwater T-Birds vs. Columbia River Chieftains
Tumwater Stadium – 7:00 PM | Webcast: Eli Sports

Yelm Tornadoes vs. Stadium Tigers
Yelm HS – 7:00 PM

I have been slow to post scores this week, so let’s catch everybody up in a big way…

High School Volleyball
Monday
Capital 3, Lincoln 1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 27-25)
North Thurston 3, Mount Tahoma 0 (25-12, 25-5, 25-13)
Columbia River 3, Black Hills 0

Tuesday
Tumwater 3, Kelso 0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-20)
Timberline 3, Olympia 1 (25-15, 13-25, 25-15, 25-15)
Northwest Christian 3, Ilwaco 0 (25-6, 25-21, 25-11)
Steilacoom 3, River Ridge 0 (25-8, 25-10, 25-12)
Prairie 3, Black Hills 2

Wednesday
Capital 3, Shelton 0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-20)

Thursday
Timberline 3, Gig Harbor 2 (17-25, 26-24, 18-25, 25-16, 15-11)
Olympia 3, South Kitsap 0 (25-17, 25-4, 25-18)
North Thurston 3, Wilson 0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-10)
Northwest Christian 3, Rainier 0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-13)
Washington 3, River Ridge 0 (25-15, 26-24, 24-14)

Girls Soccer
Tuesday
Capital 3, North Thurston 1
Yelm 3, Timberline 0
Olympia 1, Tumwater 1
Orting 3, River Ridge 2
Prairie 3, Black Hills 0

Thursday
Capital 1, Central Kitsap 1
North Thurston 1, Wilson 0
Yelm 3, Olympia 1
Stadium 6, Timberline 2
Fife 5, River Ridge 1
Columbia River 2, Black Hills 1

College Volleyball
Tuesday
Northwest 3, Evergreen 0 (25-12, 29-27, 25-15) – Box Score

Thursday
Alaska Fairbanks 3, Saint Martin’s 2 (25-17, 25-15, 24-26, 20-25, 15-7) – Box Score

Women’s Soccer
Tuesday
Concordia 2, Saint Martin’s 0 – Box Score

Thursday
Trinity Lutheran 3, Evergreen 1 – Box Score

Men’s Soccer
Wednesday
Highline 5, SPSCC 0 – Box Score

Thursday
Simon Fraser 4, Saint Martin’s 0 – Box Score