PORT ANGELES — The Port Townsend Redhawks will try and take flight after being grounded by ineligibility issues and forced to forfeit a game against Sequim in week one of the high school football season.
The Port Angeles Roughriders will enjoy facing a team more on their level in terms of size, strength, speed and experience after falling 44-0 on the road against Class 3A Mount Tahoma in week one.
Port Angeles (0-1) has the advantage having already played its first game, while Port Townsend will likely deal with some initial miscues common in season openers: penalties, missed assignments and making sure to have 11 players out for offense, defense and special teams.
Prediction: Port Townsend 28, Port Angeles 14.
Sequim at Montesano
MONTESANO — Expect fireworks and lots of them. The two team’s hit the century mark on the scoreboard last year in the Bulldogs’ 66-34 win over the Wolves in Sequim. The Wolves returned three kickoffs for scores in the 2016 game.
Montesano, a Class 1A powerhouse, is ranked fifth in the latest Associated Press poll. The Bulldogs opened the season with a 41-20 win over 2A Aberdeen last week.
Sequim, meanwhile, sat idle after Port Townsend was forced to forfeit, and will make its season debut tonight.
The Wolves will have to shut down reigning 1A Evergreen League MVP Carson Klinger to pull off the road upset. Klinger scored seven touchdowns against Sequim last year, rushing 20 times for 226 yards and five TDs, catching a 34-yard TD reception and returning a kickoff 90 yards for another score.
Prediction: Montesano 41, Sequim 21.
Forks at King’s Way
VANCOUVER — The Spartans were driving on the Knights at home last season before an interception helped turn the fourth-quarter momentum in King’s Way Christian’s way in Forks’ 42-28 defeat.
Forks coach Emil West said his players “had sent about a 100 text messages” to him after watching film of the Spartans’ season-opening 68-0 blowout of an overmatched Vashon last week.
“They are locked in for this one,” West said.
Prediction: Forks 27, King’s Way 21.
Neah Bay at Lummi
BELLINGHAM — The Red Devils looked a bit listless in last week’s 21-6 11-man loss to Chimacum. Neah Bay couldn’t get untracked offensively, managing under 100 yards running and passing, and the Red Devil defense struggled with the Cowboys’ misdirection-based offense.
Neah Bay coach Tony McCaulley said last week that he agreed that most teams make their biggest improvement from week one to week two.
“We’re going to have to have some improvement and maybe make some changes if we want to play with Lummi,” he said.
This game is a nonleague contest and has no bearing on playoff seeding. The teams also will meet later in the season at Neah Bay.
Prediction: Lummi 34, Neah Bay 20
Saturday’s Games
Oakville at Quilcene
QUILCENE — The Rangers won’t find the Acorns to be a tough nut to crack. I expect the Rangers to roll in their first home game of the season.
Prediction: Quilcene 54, Oakville 14
Crescent at Mary M. Knight
MATLOCK — The Loggers showed they can be a dangerous football team in last week’s 78-64 loss to highly-touted Tacoma Baptist. Crescent (0-1) should have an easier time against the Owls (0-1) on Saturday.
Prediction: Crescent 62, Mary M. Knight 24
Week One Predictions: 4-1.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
