Week 4: High school football games to watch in the South Sound, predictions

Read team previews and score predictions for five games across the South Sound in Week 4, plus our pick for the state game of the week.

No. 10 Franklin Pierce Cardinals vs. No. 7 Orting Cardinals

7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 at Orting Cardinal Stadium

Who’s up for another physical, 2A SPSL rivalry on the ground? Orting (3-0) walked out of Fife High School last weekend with a thrilling, 20-19 victory over the Trojans and control of its own destiny through the rest of league play — but Franklin Pierce (3-0) has an opportunity to steal that control for themselves Thursday night. It should be a busy night for Orting’s Carson McCall, the all-purpose back with a team-high 55 rushing yards per game, but QB Zach Gemar flashed an ability to throw on the run or take off with his legs when plays break down. We’re excited to see how Franklin Pierce’s run game attacks Orting’s front seven. Franklin Pierce RB Bryson Allen torched non-league opponents in three early games, averaging a ridiculous 16 yards per carry with 417 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Could he be the formula to an upset in Orting?

TNT pick: Orting 27, Franklin Pierce 21

Auburn Trojans vs. Stadium Tigers

7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 at Stadium Bowl

Darius Sum’s numbers are straight out of a video game: 52 carries for 698 yards (13.4 AVG) and 10 touchdowns through the junior’s first three games, along with six receptions for 48 yards and another score. The Stadium bellcow paces running backs statewide by over 200 rushing yards and sits atop the touchdown leaderboard (11) alongside South Kitsap’s Brycen Clay. How many yards are in store for Sum in Week 4? Expect plenty of points at Stadium Bowl, when Sum and the Tigers host new rival Auburn in 4A NPSL play. Trojans QB Baylen Erdmann tossed four touchdown passes last weekend in a 63-40 win over Kentridge, guiding an offense averaging 38.3 points per game this fall. We like Stadium in a shootout.

TNT pick: Stadium 35, Auburn 28

Bethel Bison vs. Olympia Bears

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Ingersoll Stadium

After a season-opening loss to reigning 3A state champion Bellevue — who we believe is the best team in the state this year, regardless of classification — Bethel bounced back with consecutive wins over Emerald Ridge and North Creek the next two weeks, holding the two opponents to 13 points scored in the wins. Dating back to last year, Bethel’s defense has been among the best in the 4A SPSL, led this year by top-ranked recruit LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale. These two teams have played tight games lately; Bethel won last year 32-30, won in 21-13 two years ago and won 41-35 in 2021. Olympia comes into this year’s game undefeated, picking up wins over rival Capital, Issaquah and Hazen in the first three weeks. QB Cam Downing put up good numbers last week, completing 19-of-27 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns, targeting No. 1 WR Harper Hejtmanek (207 yards, three TDs). Expect another close game this year between the Bison and Bears.

TNT pick: Bethel 21, Olympia 17

Gig Harbor Tides vs. No. 6 Lincoln Abes

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Lincoln Bowl

In QB Sione Kaho’s first two starts at Lincoln Bowl this fall, stingy Yelm and Camas defenses kept Lincoln’s star signal-caller uncomfortable and held him below 200 passing yards in two non-league losses. Will a third go-around be the charm? This time, the result counts in the inaugural 3A Puget Sound League when the Abes welcome new-rival Gig Harbor to Tacoma on Friday night. Darrin Reeves’ Tides live by the “run the ball, stop the run” mantra — but how they counter Kaho’s arm could be the difference. Lincoln (1-2) and Gig Harbor (1-2) scheduled daunting non-league slates to stay battle-tested; the latter trekked to Laguna Beach (CA) earlier this month and hosted Lake City (ID) at Roy Anderson Field last weekend. Tides RB Ryland Geldermann is impressing early with 13 carries for 112 yards (48 long) over Lake City.

TNT pick: Lincoln 28, Gig Harbor 17

Federal Way Eagles vs. Enumclaw Hornets

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Pete’s Pool

Two questions on our minds: can Enumclaw match up on the back end with Federal Way’s speedy receivers and can Federal Way match up with Enumclaw up front? Both teams lost to Decatur already this season in very different ways. Enumclaw lost a close defensive battle, 14-7 in Week 1 while Federal Way watched a lead crumble away in a 35-34 overtime loss. Federal Way has had no issue scoring points this year. QB Andy Cortez has moved the ball at will, targeting receivers Zamarie Tellez and Austin May. Enumclaw posted back-to-back blowout wins over Todd Beamer and Kentlake after the Week 1 loss to Decatur.

TNT pick: Enumclaw 21, Federal Way 20

STATE GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 3 Lynden Lions vs. No. 1 Anacortes Seahawks

It’s a (TNT rankings) top three showdown in Anacortes on Friday between defending 2A state champion and top-ranked Anacortes and third-ranked Lynden. It’s also more than likely the 2A Northwest Conference championship game, though Archbishop Murphy could have something to say about that, too. Anacortes won last year’s meeting, 15-8, en route to a perfect season and state title. Anacortes has two of the state’s best skill position players in brothers Brock and Brady Beaner. Lynden is looking for revenge and is balanced on offense with quarterback Brant Heppner and running back Max Assink. This should be another 2A classic up north.

TNT pick: Anacortes 28, Lynden 21