(All games are Sept. 1)
Eatonville at Olympic
Eatonville’s quarterback Job Kralik returns for his senior campaign after leading the Cruisers to an 8-2 record. Kralik completed over 70% of his passes and totaled 27 touchdowns in the air and ground. His main target Ky Nation returns for his junior season. He earned 847 total yards and 10 touchdowns.
Olympic lost some top-tier talent, including its quarterback and runningbacks. Luckily, Luke Silva can carry a heavy workload on offense. He averaged 68 receiving yards and a touchdown per game. In addition, Silas McAvoy can make an impact too after averaging seven tackles per game last year.
The Cruisers defeated a powerful Trojans team last year 47-27 and should be able to capture another victory.
East Jefferson at Kingston
East Jefferson returned many offensive pieces to a team that averaged 20 points per game. The 1A school struggled against larger competition last season, including losing to Kingston in the season opener 50-22. Since both teams lack depth, it can be chaos by the end of the game.
Kingston has several questions after going through three coaches this offseason. Luckily, Ethan Goldizen and the Bucs are back on track with a senior-heavy offensive and defensive line. Despite losing a lot of players last season, Kingston’s returners should hand Goldizen his first win as a high school head coach.
Mount Douglas Secondary School at Bremerton
Mount Douglas Secondary against Bremerton will be the most exciting game of the week. Mount Douglas travels from B.C. for its season opener. Therefore, the Rams will deal with different rules in Bremerton.
Mount Douglas reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs last season and has a rich history in its 25-year existence. On the other hand, the website lists only 20 players on the Rams varsity roster.
Bremerton has a larger roster and returns nearly all of its top players. Oliver Christian, Madden Benson and Trenton Bulmer will look to run the Rams to the ground at home.
Bainbridge at Hazen
Hazen lost its quarterback, a few wide receivers and defensive players from last year’s team that defeated Bainbridge 25-20. Although the Spartans lost, it was a game they could have won if they limited turnovers. Therefore, Dan Schoonmaker should be able to capture his first win as a head coach.
He is combining some old flashes of Bainbridge with a mix of North Kitsap’s playbook. In addition, Jack Grant returns as the junior quarterback and has improved tremendously each season. If the Spartans limit turnovers and penalties on the road, they can start the season on top.
North Kitsap at Mt. Tahoma
Mt. Tahoma lost to North Kitsap 29-14 in Poulsbo last season. The T-Birds lost its quarterback, running back and top wide receiver. On the bright side, wide receiver Jah-jah Abdullah returns after getting 68 receiving yards, one touchdown and 5.8 tackles per game last year.
North Kitsap is a state contender led by Logan Sloman. Sloman earned 1,271 all-purpose yards, 16 touchdowns and 9 interceptions last season. In addition, Cole Edwards returns at quarterback and the Vikings line is one of the largest in recent history.
The Vikings should handle the T-Birds on the road to start the season.
Central Kitsap at Mariner
Central Kitsap is a senior-heavy squad led by Tristan Hall. Hall finished last season with 515 yards. The rest of the squad struggled to pick up the workload. Therefore, it is tough to believe the Cougars campaign this season will start with a victory.
Mariner went 7-3 in the 4A Wesco Division last season. The Marauders are also a senior-heavy lineup that provides play-making and scoring. Mariner should handle the Cougars at home easily.
South Kitsap at Bethel
South Kitsap lost its head coach and top playmakers during the offseason. Although the Wolves lost a heartbreaking 6-0 to Bethel last season, the Wolves do not have the answers to flip the script this time. The Wolves scored an average of 16 points per game and face some of the toughest competition in the state.
Bethel’s junior quarterback Evan Barnes leads a younger team in the season opener. With two teams lacking experience and playmakers, Bethel should win another low-scoring bout.
Klahowya at Coupeville
Klahowya had an unexpected rough season last year, including a 41-21 loss to Coupeville. Yet, Carson Moore, Nathan Turk and Jackson Kealoha return as a powerful offensive trio. These three can help push the offense further than last season.
Four of Coupeville’s top offensive players and five of its top defensive players graduated last year. The Wolves return their quarterback with new talent surrounding him. Since the Wolves are trending downward and the Eagles are upward, it can be a close game.
