SEQUIM — Sequim’s defense will face its most difficult test of the season so far tonight against North Kitsap.
The undefeated Wolves (1-0, 3-0) have only allowed 16 points in its three games this season, and 10 of those game in a defensive tussle with Kingston last week.
North Kitsap (1-2) only managed nine points (three field goals) in its losses the past two weeks to W.F. West and Black Hills.
But the Vikings have dominated the Olympic League the past two years, going undefeated in 2013 and 2014.
Tonight’s game kicks off at 7 p.m.
Bremerton at Port Angeles
PORT ANGELES — The Knights might be just what the Roughriders need after an inconsistent start to the season.
On the flipside, though, Bremerton (0-1, 0-3) could be saying the same thing about Port Angeles (0-1, 0-3).
The Riders enter their homecoming game tonight with a 1-2 record, including a 20-14 loss to North Mason last week.
The Knights are 0-3 and have been shutout by Olympic and Klahowya in their last two games.
Lyle-Wishram at Neah Bay
NEAH BAY — The Red Devils (2-0) wrap their nonconference schedule against the Cougars, who they beat 58-6 on the road last season.
Lyle-Wishram is 2-1 on the season after beating Siletz Valley (Ore.) 38-36 in its season opener, picking up a win by forfeit over Twin Valley, and losing 24-18 to Naselle.
After playing his starters for only one quarter in last week’s 50-0 shutout of Taholah, Red Devils head coach Tony McCaulley is hoping for a bigger challenge tonight.
“Lyle-Wishram, them and Naselle, are probably the two best teams from the south,” McCaulley said.
“I’d like us to get tested and have a tough game. That would help us later on.”
Coupeville at Port Townsend
PORT TOWNSEND — The eighth-ranked Redhawks are off to a dominating start, having outscored their first three opponents 145-6.
And considering the way they’ve dominated Olympic League 1A since its inception in 2014, there’s no reason to think their roll will be slowed tonight or, really, any time soon.
However, there was one league blemish last year, a 29-21 loss to Coupville, a game in which Port Townsend was missing key players and struggled to protect the ball.
“I was irritated,” Redhawks lineman Lucas Foster said of that loss.
“We had some flaws. We had some moments where we just had some flaws.
“We didn’t come prepared to that game. But next time we played them, we came back even more prepared. We were ready to play.”
Two weeks after that loss, Port Townsend took it to Coupeville 56-20.
Rochester at Forks
FORKS — The Spartans return home tonight for their homecoming game against the Warriors looking to rebound from their 62-0 loss to Montesano.
A week after putting up more than 500 yards on Chimacum, Forks (0-1, 1-2) managed only 140 against the Bulldogs.
Rochester (1-2) is on a two-game losing streak, including a 27-14 loss to Elma last week.
Chimacum at Klahowya
BREMERTON — The Cowboys nearly ended their losing streak last week in a 28-26 loss to Coupeville.
“The guys, the last two games, have fought to the end,” Chimacum coach Mike Dowling said.
“We’re right there. We’re knocking on the door, but we haven’t been able to get through it.
“It’s a good group of guys, and I feel for them.”
The Cowboys (0-1, 0-3) have been much improved over last year at stopping the run, but they must stop the pass if tonight is to be the game they end the losing streak.
That plays into the Eagles’ (0-1, 1-2) strength, as they haven’t run the ball well this season and rely heavily on the pass.
Quilcene at Crescent
JOYCE — Against the Rangers last year, Loggers quarterback Neil Peppard threw five interceptions.
Eli Harrison, who went on to earn Associated Press All-State defensive back honors, picked off three in the first quarter.
Peppard has cut down on his interceptions dramatically this year, which is a source of weekly pride for first-year Crescent (2-1) head coach Brian Shimko.
Taking care of the ball will be paramount to Crescent’s hopes of upsetting the Rangers (2-0), who have 28 players, which is one of the largest rosters in school history, on Saturday.
Leading the way is Harrison, who also plays quarterback and has racked up the kind of rushing yards that All-Stater Colten Pol had last year for Quilcene.
Muckleshoot at Clallam Bay
CLALLAM BAY — Two weeks ago, the Kings (0-2) had to throw in the towel at halftime of their game against Crescent due to a lack of healthy players.
That shouldn’t be a problem Saturday.
“They’re not too far from what we have,” Bruins coach Cal Ritter said.
Clallam Bay (1-2) suited up 12 players in their 50-30 loss to Quilcene last week.
Good news for the Bruins is that freshman playmaker Clayton Willis will return for this game, Ritter said.
