Bracket Breakdown: WIAA 2A state football tournament first-round previews, stat leaders, game picks

Longest road trip of weekend belongs to Woodland Beavers, whose community mitigated travel issues for program's first WIAA playoff game since 2005

It's been a special season for the Woodland High School football program.

Not only did the Beavers win the 2A Greater St. Helens League title for the first time since 2007, but they're also back in the WIAA state tournament for the first time since 2005.

Woodland coach Sean McDonald had a feeling back in the spring this group had potential and to see it all come to fruition this fall has been amazing.

"We bought into a process, did everything right and really came up in some big games with some playmakers making big time plays," McDonald said. "We played every week like it was the league championship and to see it through is just indescribable."

For all of the success the program has seen this year, Woodland was given the No. 9 seed in the Class 2A tournament which means hitting the road this weekend.

The Beavers' opponent? Clarkston, the tournament's No. 8 seed that sits 360 miles away. It's about as far southeast as you can travel before reaching Idaho.

With the school district's most recent levy failure, transportation to sporting events was cut, meaning Woodland players and coaches have had to find their own way to games this fall.

No exception was made for the postseason.

So after playoff seedings were announced Sunday, community members rallied to raise funds for two charter buses, meals and hotel accommodations for the overnight trip.

By Tuesday afternoon – just a little more than 48 hours later – all $2,500 was raised for the team's players, coaches and cheerleaders.

"I want to thank everybody. I can't believe the support we've been shown the last few days," McDonald said. "The community pouring into our program is awesome. They're taking care of these boys and putting us in a good spot to go out and win a game."

Editor’s note: Here’s a game-by-game breakdown, including top individual performers, outlook and score predictions of this weekend’s 2023 WIAA Class 2A football first-round matchups.

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NO. 16 PORT ANGELES ROUGHRIDERS (7-3) at NO. 1 TUMWATER THUNDERBIRDS (10-0)

Photo by John O'Leary

7 p.m. Friday at Tumwater District Stadium, Tumwater

Statistical leaders: For Port Angeles – No stats provided. For Tumwater – QB Ethan Kastner (59-80, 1,149 yards, 21 TDs), FB Kooper Clark (69 carries, 744 yards, 13 TDs), RB Logan Cole (56 carries, 572 yards, 14 TDs), RB Jaylin Nixon (45 carries, 498 yards, four TDs), TE Jacob Dillon (16 catches, 407 yards, seven TDs), LB Beckett Wall (52 tackles, nine TFL, three sacks) and DL Malijah Tucker (42 tackles, 16 TFL, six sacks).

What to watch for: Tumwater is back in some familiar territory this year as the tournament's top seed. The Thunderbirds made the state tournament a year ago, but were bounced in the first round. In 2023, they're back after running through their league once again. Only one team has come within 20 points of Tumwater on the final scoreboard this season – the tournament's No. 4 seed North Kitsap. After last year's early playoff exit, it's looking like things are back to the status quo with Tumwater leading the race.

Pick: Tumwater, 49-14.

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NO. 9 WOODLAND BEAVERS (8-2) at NO. 8 CLARKSTON BANTAMS (7-2)

Photo by Gary Bye/Clarkston athletics

Noon Saturday at Clarkston High School

Statistical leaders: For Woodland – QB Brett Martynowicz (72-140, 1,109 yards, 12 TDs), RB/DB Elijah Andersen (195 carries, 1,319 yards, 21 TDs; 29 catches, 570 yards, seven TDs; 69 tackles, two INTs on defense), RB Karsen Northcut (62 carries, 433 yards, four TDs; 60 tackles, 28 TFL, two sacks on defense). For Clarkston – QB Carter Steinwand (143-221, 1,816 yards, 17 TDs; 59 carries, 357 yards, 10 TDs), RB J.J. Di Sarno (125 carries, 680 yards, seven TDs), WR Ryken Craber (50 catches, 904 yards, seven TDs) and LB Josh Hoffman (85 tackles, 10 TFL, three sacks).

What to watch for: A matchup of two teams that didn't reach this point of the season last year looks to be one that has the potential for a lot of offense. Led by Anderson, the 2A GSHL MVP, Woodland's offense will be up for a challenge against Clarkston's size on the defensive front. On the other side of the ball, Clarkston's offense has shown it is capable of putting up big numbers with Steinwand able to hurt a defense with his arm or legs.

Pick: Clarkston, 45-35.

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NO. 13 EPHRATA TIGERS (6-3) at NO. 4 NORTH KITSAP VIKINGS (9-1)

Photo by Vince Miller

1 p.m. Saturday at North Kitsap High School, Poulsbo

Statistical leaders: For Ephrata – QB Brady Hendrick (77-158, 1,075 yards, 10 TDs; 119 carries, 573 yards, five TDs), RB Elijah Chavez (96 carries, 349 yards, three TDs), TE/DE Eric O'Neel (16 catches, 291 yards, two TDs, 20 carries, 179 yards, four TDs), WR Hans Roberts (22 catches, 335 yards, four TDs; 15 carries, 171 yards, TD) and WR Llandon Ahmann (20 catches, 211 yards, two TDs). For North Kitsap – QB Cole Edwards (117-179, 1,540 yards, 16 TDs), RB Carter Dungy (147 carries, 958 yards, 16 TDs), RB Morgan Paul (26 carries, 238 yards, three TDs), WR/DB Logan Sloman (44 receptions, 734 yards, 11 TDs; 41 tackles, 11 PBUs, six INTs on defense).

What to watch for: After coming oh-so-close to a state title last year, North Kitsap has all the makings to be knocking on the door again. The Vikings' only loss this season was in an early-season game against top-seeded Tumwater. With nearly the entire team back from last year's state runner-up squad, Ephrata should have its hands full with the Vikings' offense. Look for all-around weapon Sloman to lead the charge for North Kitsap on both sides of the ball.

Pick: North Kitsap, 38-14.

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NO. 12 BREMERTON KNIGHTS (8-2) at NO. 5 LYNDEN LIONS (7-2)

Photo by Vince Miller

6 p.m. Friday at Civic Stadium, Bellingham

Statistical leaders: For Bremerton – QB Madden Benson (45-101, 768 yards, nine TDs), RB Jalin Littleraven-Oliver (98 carries, 880 yards, 12 TDs), RB/LB Oliver Christian (82 carries, 781 yards, 13 TDs; 82 tackles, 8.5 TFL, three sacks, two INTs on defense), WR Trenton Bulmer (24 catches, 361 yards, seven TDs) and LB James Penitusi (43 tackles, 14.5 TFL, eight sacks). For Lynden – QB Brant Heppner (90-180, 1,442 yards, 17 TDs; 79 carries, 324 yards, eight TDs), RB Max Assink (81 carries, 462 yards, four TDs), RB/LB Charlie Ayres (54 carries, 251 yards, four TDs; 56 tackles on defense), WR Cooper Moore (27 catches, 483 yards, three TDs) and WR Brady Elsner (28 catches, 337 yards, seven TDs).

What to watch for: The two-time defending champions' quest for a third consecutive title will begin at their home-away-from-home at Civic Stadium in Bellingham. Heppner's health might be the Lions' biggest question mark this postseason as he suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago against Anacortes that eventually took him out of the game. The Lions can survive with Heppner as a pure passer in the first round, but if his dual-threat ability isn't at 100% down the stretch they lose a key dimension on offense. 

Pick: Lynden, 24-7.

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NO. 15 ROGERS OF SPOKANE PIRATES (8-2) at NO. 2 ANACORTES SEAHAWKS (9-0)

Photo by Todd Milles

1 p.m. Saturday at Anacortes High School

Statistical leaders: For Rogers – QB Aaron Kinsey (293 rushing yards, 123 receiving yards, 325 passing yards, nine TDs), RB Gavynn Bodman (108 carries, 607 yards, seven TDs), WR Orlando Moore (30 receptions, nine total TDs), . For Anacortes – QB Rex Larson (110-153, 1,506 yards, 17 TDs), RB/LB Brock Beaner (85 carries, 836 yards, 11 TDs; 148 receiving yards; 65 tackles, 11 TFL, six sacks, three FF, two INTs on defense), WR/LB Rylin Lang (35 catches, 456 yards, eight TDs; 66 tackles, seven TFL, three FF, one INT on defense), ATH Brady Beaner (363 rushing yards, 381 receiving yards, nine TDs; 74 tackles, three TFL, two FF, nine PBUs on defense) and LB Tyler Olson (55 tackles, 11 TFL, two INTs).

What to watch for: An up-and-coming team last year, Anacortes has taken another step forward this year that started with unseating Lynden from the Northwest Conference throne. Led by Brock Beaner, the bruising running back and linebacker, the high-octane skill players of the Seahawks have flown out of the gates this year, easily handling every team not named Lynden on their schedule. With last year's playoff experience and quarterfinal appearance under their belt, it's hard to imagine this squad not going on a deep run.

Pick: Anacortes, 49-20.

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NO. 10 WASHOUGAL PANTHERS (8-2) at NO. 7 ORTING CARDINALS (9-1)

Photo by Vince Miller

7 p.m. Friday at Orting High School

Statistical leaders: For Washougal– QB Holden Bea (139-216, 2,430 yards, 31 TDs; 105 carries, 789 yards, 15 rushing TDs), RB Will Cooper (109 carries, 693 yards, eight TDs), WR Sam Evers (56 catches, 1,069 yards, 15 TDs) and DB Elijah Franco (83 tackles, five INTs, one FF). For Orting – QB Zack Gemar (55-87, 822 yards, 13 TDs) RB Carson McCall (66 carries, 528 yards, eight TDs; 18 catches, 335 yards, two TDs), WR Aiden Mendenhall (nine catches, 170 yards, four TDs) and LB Russell Amadeo (59 tackles, two TFL).

What to watch for: Two very different offenses are taking the field in Orting this week. Washougal's best weapon is Bea, who has shown off his arm every week as the Panthers love to air it out, but he's just as deadly with his legs. Orting's offense provides its own challenges for a defense out of the Wing-T. The Cardinals are solid up front, which some coaches say is key for teams to keep their seasons alive at this point in the year.

Pick: Orting, 28-20.

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NO. 14 OTHELLO HUSKIES (7-2) at NO. 3 ENUMCLAW HORNETS (10-0)

Photo by Vince Miller

1 p.m. Saturday at Enumclaw Expo Center

Statistical leaders: For Othello – No stats provided. For Enumclaw – QB Gunnar Trachte (79-120, 1,183 yards, 17 TDs), RB Tristan Donovan (101 carries, 635 yards, eight TDs), RB Seamus Twohey (54 carries, 333 yards, 11 TDs), WR Karson Holt (37 catches, 473 yards, five TDs; 56 tackles, 13 TFL, seven sacks on defense) and LB Anthony Mills (73 tackles, one TFL) and DL Ryker Popke (69 tackles, 11 TFL).

What to watch for: Until running into the eventual state champion last year, Enumclaw was on a roll. The Hornets picked up right where they left off, bulldozing their way through their schedule and claiming the 2A South Puget Sound League. Enumclaw has gotten this far this season by running the ball and then running the ball some more, but Trachte can sling it and is one of the most capable signal callers among the teams left standing.

Pick: Enumclaw, 42-21.

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NO. 11 W.F. WEST BEARCATS (7-3) at NO. 6 HIGHLINE PIRATES (9-1)

Photo by Vince Miller

7 p.m. Friday at Highline Memorial Stadium, Burien

Statistical leaders: For W.F. West – QB Gage Brumfield (108-197, 1,483 yards, 19 TDs; 675 rushing yards, 14 TDs), RB/LB Declan McDonald (522 yards, eight TDs; 59 tackles, six TFL, two sacks on defense), WR Connor Coleman (28 catches, 413 yards, five TDs) and DL Andrew Penland (66 tackles, eight TFL, one sack). For Highline – QB Ronan Rasmussen (75-113, 1,359 yards, 18 TDs), RB Jamaine Matthews Jr. (75 carries, 813 yards, 18 TDs), WR Marquawn McCraney (34 catches, 864 yards, 15 TDs), LB Yannis Togi (58 tackles) and LB Rashad Carriere (51 tackles, nine sacks)

What to watch for: Things have looked good for Highline this season outside of an early loss to Class 4A Kennedy Catholic. The Pirates also fall into the same boat as Enumclaw and Anacortes as a team that flashed potential last year, but is looking to build off that this year with an even deeper playoff run. McCraney might be the most dynamic athlete on any of these rosters, but don't write off W.F. West and Brumfield in his first full season under center.

Pick: Highline, 35-21.

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