'Tis the season for state tournament rematches

The Class 4A playoffs seem to be about rematches.

Last week, we had the rematch of last year's championship game between Oak Harbor and Bothell. Next week, we could have a rematch of last year's semifinal between Edmonds-Woodway and Bothell. Or possibly a repeat of the Sept. 13 Greater Spokane League game between Ferris and Lewis & Clark.

And, as evidenced by Bothell's triumph last week, losers have the most to prove when it comes to replaying a big game.

All four teams in this year's semifinals came up short last year. Bothell lost in the final. E-W lost in the semis. And Lewis & Clark and Ferris couldn't get out of Spokane, losing in the qualifying round. So all four are driven to go farther than the year before.

And all four have been striving for the top of the mountain for a fairly long time.

Bothell is competing in the playoffs for the sixth straight year and for the seventh time in eight years. E-W is making its fourth straight state playoff appearance.

The two Spokane schools are relative newcomers. This is L&C's first time out of the qualifying round after eight attempts in 11 years. Ferris made four attempts over seven years before escaping the qualifying round.

Here's a look at Saturday's semifinals:

Lewis & Clark vs. Edmonds-Woodway

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Tacoma Dome

Records: L&C is 9-2 overall. E-W is 12-0.

Last year: E-W lost 28-14 to Bothell in the semifinals. L&C was eliminated in the qualifying round.

Last week: L&C running back Alex Shaw carried 29 times for 260 yards and a touchdown in a 35-0 win over Inglemoor. E-W quarterback Kyle McCartney threw a 49-yard pass to wide receiver Antoinne Wafer on a fourth-down play to set up a game-winning TD run by RB Tony Heard in the fourth quarter of a 24-21 win over Eastlake.

Players to watch: L&C QB Steven Eglet completed 14 of 18 passes for 127 yards and two TDs against Inglemoor. Heard ran 23 times for 148 yards and three TDs against Eastlake and has 2,153 rushing yards this season.

Breaking down the game: Both teams are coming off wins over Kingco also-rans, who were beaten by Bothell in the regular season. L&C's offensive line pushed Inglemoor around, but E-W has the size to equal that of the Spokane team. Both teams appear to have solid running and passing attacks. Wafer's kick returning skills might make a difference.

John McDonald's pick: E-W 28-21.

Mike Cane's pick: E-W 17-14.

Tom Lafferty's pick: Lewis & Clark 27-21

Bothell vs. Ferris

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Joe Albi Stadium, Spokane

Records: Both teams are 12-0.

Last year: Bothell defeated Edmonds-Woodway 28-14 in the semifinals. Ferris was eliminated in the qualifying round.

Last week: Ferris wide receiver Jared Karstetter caught seven passes for 114 yards and two TDs in a 49-14 win over Graham-Kapowsin. Bothell RB Patrick Ottorbech ran 12 times for 138 yards and three TDs in a 42-14 win over Oak Harbor.

Players to watch: Ferris QB Jeff Minnerly was 14-for-20 for 242 yards and four TDs and RB McKenzie Murphy ran for 129 yards and three TDs against Graham-Kapowsin. Bothell QB Johnny Hekker was 10-for-12 for 161 yards and two TDs against Oak Harbor. Hekker has 1,825 passing yards this season.

Breaking down the game: Bothell got its revenge over Oak Harbor, but the Cougars still have unfinished business. They want that title that eluded them last year. Except for last week's game, Ferris hasn't played a team from the west side of the mountains and has had the luxury of being at home throughout the playoffs. Last year Oak Harbor made the trip to Spokane for the semis and won. After beating the Wildcats last week, the Cougars have to think they can pull off the feat as well.

John McDonald's pick: Bothell 35-21.

Mike Cane's pick: Bothell 24-17.

Tom Lafferty's pick: Ferris 17-16

All three prognosticators were 2-1 last week. Prep Editor John McDonald is 39-18 on the season. Prep Writer Mike Cane and KRKO broadcaster Tom Lafferty are 38-19.

'Tis the season for state tournament rematches

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