Logo

 
TRI-CITIES, Washington - All the B-8 marbles are on the Tacoma Dome floor Saturday night, as the Loggers of Wishkah Valley and the Tigercats of Lacrosse-Washtucna-Kahlotus meet for the second time this season for the gold ball. LWK won that initial match 44-38 in the second week of the season and have gone on to beat the likes of TCPrep and Cusick and they look to repeat for their 5th B-8 championship in the past 7 years. Wishkah is looking for its first gold ball since beating St. John Endicott in 1984, having twice disposed of a tough Lake Quinault team to earn their way into the final.

Offense: The Tigercats are anchored by a traditional strength, stellar line play. The O-line provides running room for tailback Garret Blauert and pass protection for Justin Aune. LWK can smash it all day long, and when the linebackers start to sneak in too close, Justin Aune can lob the ball downfield to steady receivers or into the soft hands of TE Beaux Martin. The Loggers are led by their do-all QB Nick Marsh and running back/receiver Johnny Boggs. The Loggers can both run and pass with equal efficacy. Scoring averages over the year favor LWK over WV. There is little doubt that Blauert will get his yards, and if Aune can hit his receivers effectively, WV will have a hard time keeping the ‘Cats out of the end zone. Advantage, LWK.

Defense: WV has a huge line anchored by Marsh and Boggs. LWK runs a big line as well that can terrorize backfields. Beaux Martin spends a good deal of time in opposing backfields, backed by linebacker Garret Whitney. Size favors the Loggers, while speed and experience would seem to favor LWK. The secondary of WV may be suspect, however. Advantage, LWK.

Special teams: Were the downfall of Wishkah Valley in the first game, as two special team fumbles led to LWK TDs. If WV takes care of business on this side of the ball back in September, the Loggers go in as the undefeated team. Can’t quite believe that WV will allow the same mistakes to take place. Advantage, DRAW.

Intangibles: LWK has a history of playing in the Dome successfully and they have slayed some giants on their march to the Final. WV has played Quinault very tough and almost pulled it out the first time around, but they also had a strange lapse against Highland Christian late in the season that calls into question their pass protection. LWK has shown that they can throw effectively, even from their typical run-first offense. WV’s long absence from the Final could work against them. Advantage: LWK.

Prediction: Overall record, strength of schedule and recent playoff experiences would seem to favor LWK. Tigercats 42, Loggers 30.