No two weeks of the high school football season are alike.
But why is it that some weeks of the season have so many thrilling and pivotal matchups while other weeks have so few.
For example, last week’s schedule of games — how should we put this? — lacked drama.
Oh sure, there was Prairie’s comeback 23-21 win over Hudson’s Bay. And Washougal’s 25-22 win over Mark Morris was another good one.
But every other game was decided by two touchdowns, if not much, much more.
We don’t expect that to be the case this week, as every local league has one big matchup with playoff ramifications, if not two.
So let’s take a peek at this week’s slate of games and examine their impact on November’s schedule.
4A GSHL
Camas finishes the regular season with two big games, starting Friday when the Papermakers host Skyview.
If Camas wins, Skyview can start planning for heading to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed from the 4A Greater St. Helens League. And Camas’ Week 9 showdown with Union will be for the league title.
But if Skyview wins, a possibility of a three-way tie for first in the league exists if Camas beats Union in Week 9. If Union beats Camas, Skyview would then likely would slot in as the No. 2 seed.
3A GSHL
Friday’s game in Kelso between Mountain View and Kelso will be for the league title, with the loser most likely slotting in at No. 2.
Evergreen hosts Hudson’s Bay at McKenzie Stadium on Friday. If Evergreen wins, the Plainsmen’s Week 9 matchup with Prairie will decide the third and final berth.
However, if Bay wins Friday, a three-way tie is possible if Evergreen beats Prairie in Week 9. A Prairie win in Week 9 will give the Falcons the third seed regardless if Evergreen or Bay wins this week.
2A GSHL
The 2A Greater St. Helens League could be all sorted out after Week 8, depending on outcomes.
If Hockinson beats Washougal and Woodland beats Columbia River, the three seeds to the playoffs will be set — No. 1 Hockinson, No. 2 Woodland, No. 3 Columbia River — regardless of Week 9 outcomes.
However, if River beats Woodland, we’ll have another three-way tie possibility for third place.
That would occur if Woodland loses to Mark Morris in Week 9 and Washougal beats R.A. Long. Assuming a Washougal loss to Hockinson this week, that would set up a three-way tie between Woodland, Mark Morris and Washougal. However, if Woodland wins, the Beavers claim the No. 3 seed with River taking No. 1.
Hockinson locks up the No. 1 seed with a win this week over Washougal or next vs. Ridgefield.
1A Trico
There are two berths available to Trico teams to the district playoffs with the league champion receiving an automatic berth to the 1A state playoffs.
King’s Way Christian and Seton Catholic, both 0-3 in league, are longshots to claim a playoff berth, leaving Stevenson, Columbia-White Salmon, La Center and Castle Rock in the hunt.
If Columbia beats La Center on Friday in White Salmon, the Bruins will head into their Week 9 rivalry game at Stevenson with the league title on the line. The La Center-Castle Rock game in Week 9 likely would be a playoff for the No. 3 seed.
However, if La Center wins, the Wildcats will be rooting for a White Salmon win in Week 9 as that could set up a three-way tie for first in the league, assuming La Center beats Castle Rock. If Castle Rock wins, the Rockets would grab in the No. 3 seed, and La Center would be out of the running.
However, in that scenario, if Stevenson and Castle Rock win in Week 9, there would be a three-way tie for second place.
So, it’s possible to get through Week 9 without needing a tiebreaker in any of the local leagues. But there are plenty of paths that lead to that conclusion.
It should be a wild next weeks, or more.
Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep editor for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4538, tim.martinez@columbian.com or follow his Twitter handle @360TMart.
