FORKS — For the past three seasons the winner of the Forks-Elma football games has advanced to the district playoffs as the Evergreen League’s No. 3 seed.
And that third seed is likely to come down to tonight’s matchup between the Spartans (1-1, 4-3) and Eagles (1-1, 4-3).
Forks won in 2016 and 2017, while Elma turned the tide last season.
The Spartans will not be at full strength for this game with multiple players battling injuries including starting running back/linebacker Hayden Baker. Baker suffered a high-ankle sprain early in last week’s nonleague game at Olympic and Forks fell 41-6 against the Trojans.
The Eagles also are an experience-laden squad with 14 seniors on the roster while the Spartans have one senior on the squad.
• The Pick: Elma
Hoquiam at Sequim, 6:30 p.m.
SEQUIM — The Wolves (4-1, 6-1) step out of the Olympic League playoff chase for what head coach Erik Wiker described earlier this season as “a pre-playoff” game with a solid Grizzlies squad (2-1, 5-2).
Hoquiam has shown a penchant for drawing penalties this season and has lost big when it played 1A powerhouse Montesano last week (48-0) and La Center earlier in the season (48-14).
• The Pick: Sequim
Crescent at Neah Bay, 7 p.m.
NEAH BAY — The Red Devils (1-1, 5-1) can stay in contention for the Northwest Football League’s second seed to the Quad-District Tournament with a win over the Loggers (1-2, 3-4).
That second seed is a good spot to be as it comes with a first-round district bye.
Crescent is likely to be the fourth seed to the playoffs.
Expect a closer game this time around if Loggers’ quarterback/linebacker Eric Emery stays healthy. He was hurt early in Neah Bay’s 54-14 win on Sept. 9.
It’s been fun to see Neah Bay head coach TJ Greene take in Crescent contests and Loggers head coach Brian Shimko watching Neah Bay games when the schedule permits.
The two squads should be really familiar with each other.
• The Pick: Neah Bay
Port Angeles at North Kitsap, 7 p.m.
POULSBO — The Roughriders (0-4, 0-7) are eliminated from playoff contention but could throw a wrench into the Olympic League standings if they could somehow pull off an upset of the first-place Vikings (4-0, 5-2).
• The Pick: North Kitsap
Vashon at Chimacum, 6:30 p.m.
PORT TOWNSEND — The Cowboys (1-3, 1-6) nearly pulled off a huge rally against Bellevue Christian last week and have an excellent opportunity to pick up their second win on the season against the winless Pirates (0-4, 0-7).
• The Pick: Chimacum
Port Townsend at Klahowya, 6:30 p.m.
SILVERDALE — The Redhawks (1-2, 3-3) make their first-ever trek to play at the Eagles (1-2, 1-5) new on-campus stadium at 7607 NW Newbury Hill Road.
Spectator information, including where to park, can be found at tinyurl.com/PDN-Klahowya.
The Eagles played Charles Wright tough last week in a 21-7 loss and have a talented running back in Hunter Wallis.
• The Pick: Port Townsend
Quilcene 2, Tacoma Baptist 0 (forfeit)
QUILCENE — The Rangers (4-0, 6-1) clinched a share of their third straight SeaTac League title with a forfeit win over the Crusaders.
They can wrap the whole thing up without playing again if Evergreen Lutheran knocks off Muckleshoot tonight.
Quilcene would earn a Quad-District first-round bye with the league title and would play the winner of a game between the District 1/3/4 No. 6 and the District 2 No. 2 on Nov. 15 or 16.
To make up for the cancellation, which came during the Rangers’ Homecoming Week, the Quilcene ASB has come up with an alternative option.
A football team versus volleyball team volleyball match between the Quilcene teams will be held in the school gym at 1 p.m.
Concessions will be sold, the homecoming royalty will be announced and the school’s pep band will perform.
• Last Week: 4-3
• Season to date: 40-7.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
