High School Football | Southridge, Kamiakin meet in top-billed MCC game of the week

Another week, another big matchup in the Mid-Columbia Conference football battles.

This time, it’s at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick, where Southridge (1-1 MCC, 1-1 overall) visits Kamiakin (0-1, 1-1).

Kickoff is at 7 p.m., Friday.

What we’re finding out these first two weeks is that both the Suns and the Braves have some big-time offensive talent.

For Matt Johnson’s Southridge team, it’s still learning the Wing-T offense. But the Suns are running it quite well already.

Senior running back Jimmy Rush has 261 yards rushing in the Suns’ first two games. And Lucien Cone is always a threat to break something wide open on any play.

Carter Poland has done a good job of running Kamiakin’s offense at quarterback. And he does it in a way that gets everybody involved.

Senior wide receiver Fabian Hernandez has been the Braves’ go-to receiving threat, while Walker Fabrri has shown that he’s dependable running with the football.

So then, this game might come down to defense and line play.

Can the Braves handle assignment football when facing the Suns’ offense, which can chew up big chunks of clock? Can the Suns D handle Kamiakin’s wide open air attack?

Those questions to be answered Friday night.

Other MCC games

All times are 7 p.m., Friday

• Chiawana (2-0) at Pasco (0-2), Edgar Brown Stadium: Can host Bulldogs handle Riverhawks running back Ian Mohl? Battle for City of Pasco bragging rights.
• Hanford (0-2) at Richland (2-0): Battle for City of Richland bragging rights. Bombers QB Josh Woodard had breakout game last week against Hermiston.
• Kennewick (2-0) at Sunnyside (0-2): Lions out of town for third straight week to start the season. No matter. Team has been lights out on both offense and defense.
• Walla Walla (0-2) at Hermiston (1-1): Isaac Corey has shown the league that even as a sophomore, he will be a force to be reckoned with as Hermiston’s quarterback.

Tri-City Americans

The 2022 Red Lion Preseason Tournament runs Friday through Sunday at the Toyota Arena.

It’s the last weekend before the Western Hockey League regular season begins.

Because the tourney is in the Arena and not the Toyota Center (new chairs are being installed), there is a limited capacity for 400 fans. A one-day ticket costs $10 for all games that day.

Here’s the schedule:

On Friday at 3:05 p.m., Portland takes on Spokane.

At 7:05 p.m. later that night, Everett plays Tri-City.

On Saturday, Everett plays Seattle at 2:05 p.m.; and Portland takes on Tri-City at 6:05 p.m.

Sunday’s lone game has Spokane playing Tri-City at 2:05 p.m.

▪ Five current Americans and one former Am left this week to attend NHL camps. Parker Bell is with Calgary, while captain Marc Lajoie will be in Los Angeles’ camp.

Newly acquired Jalen Luypen is head to Chicago’s camp, while Adam Mechura will be with Arizona, and goalie Tomas Suchanek is in the Buffalo Sabres camp.

Former standout Sam Huo has been invited to the Columbus Blue Jackets camp.

Unlimited hydroplanes

The final H1 Unlimited hydroplane race is being held this coming weekend in San Diego.

The HomeStreet Bank San Diego Bayfair will feature five unlimiteds, just like last month at Seafair.

Jimmy Shane in the U-1 Miss HomeStreet is looking to clinch another national high points championship.

Meanwhile, driver J. Michael Kelly in the U-9 Miss Tri-Cities is chasing Shane.

Dustin Echols gets the call to driver the U-40 Miss Beacon Plumbing — which means no Dave Villwock driving; Jamie Nilsen will again be in the cockpit of the U-11 Legend Yacht Transport; and Jeff Bernard will be piloting the U-91 Goodman Real Estate.

Sunday’s final heat is set for 3:40 p.m.

Prep notes

Kelsey Fulton scored on a penalty kick to give the Richland girls soccer team a 1-0 victory over visiting Chiawana on Wednesday night. This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams, who should be vying for an MCC title. However, don’t sleep on Kamiakin or Southridge.

Richland also outlasted Chiawana 3-2 on Tuesday night in MCC volleyball. Those two teams, as well as Kamiakin, Kennewick and Hanford, look to be battling for the conference title this season.

College notes

Former Chiawana grad Kylie Thorne had a great weekend in the Los Angeles area a few weeks ago.

Thorne, a sophomore hitter for the Central Washington University volleyball team, had 13 kills, 3 aces and 12 digs to help lead the Wildcats to a 3-1 win over Cal State L.A. on Sept. 1.

The next day, Central beat Chaminade 3-2, as Thorne had 11 kills.

And on Sept. 3, Thorne added 9 kills and 4 aces to propel CWU past Biola, Calif., 3-0.

▪ EWU’s Sage Brustad (Richland) had a team-best 16 kills, while teammate Alyssa Radke (Connell) added 12 more, as the Eagles lost 3-1 to Gonzaga in college volleyball action on Tuesday night.

This story was originally published September 15, 2022 at 12:50 PM.