Prep football: Prosser visits Ellensburg on Friday

The biggest Mid-Columbia high school football game of the regular season — to this point — happens in Ellensburg on Friday when Prosser visits Ellensburg.

The contest features the top two teams in the Class 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference. Both of them are 6-0 overall, 5-0 in CWAC play.

The Bulldogs feature a nasty 1-2 punch in Mason Sherwood and Luke Rinehart, who’ve combined for 777 yards rushing.

Meanwhile, quarterback Donny Ellersick has passed for 954 yards, and thrown 17 TD passes to just two interceptions.

Prosser, meanwhile, has quarterback Tanner Bolt with 1,249 yards passing, with 20 TDs and three interceptions. His two main targets are Kason Blair (18 catches, 270 yards) and Javier Diaz (17-351).

This could be the first of two meetings between these two teams, just like last season. After the regular-season contest, the Mustangs and Bulldogs met again in the state quarterfinals. Last year, Ellensburg won both games.

“Big games come down to limiting mistakes, executing at a high level, and making plays when we have an opportunity to make a play,” said Prosser coach Corey Ingvalson. “Key matchups will be our run defense versus their run game.”

Meanwhile, Ellensburg coach Randy Affholter is concerned about the Mustangs’ high-powered offense.

“We need to stop their up-tempo offense,” Affholter said. “Offensively, we need to handle their linebacking corps. They are tough.”

Affholter also said keep an eye on the line play, and the defensive backs-wide receivers matchups.

Here’s a quick look at other key games tonight:

Selah at Othello, 7 p.m.

This could be key in the battle for the No. 3 playoff berth in the CWAC. Reese Jones has been lights out for the Huskies running the ball.

Pasco at Richland, 7 p.m.

It’s Homecoming at Richland, something all coaches hate because of the distractions. Richland coach Mike Neidhold is wary of Pasco, which has had an up-and-down season. “Pasco has a few guys that can really run, and you have to keep an eye on Kolby Killoy,” said Neidhold. “Don’t forget he led the league in passing yards last season, so we know he can throw it around a bit.”

Walla Walla at Chiawana, 7 p.m.

This could very well be for the second Class 4A playoff berth and a better draw against the Greater Spokane League. So both teams will be treating this like a playoff game.

Kennewick at Southridge, 7 p.m.

This is an important game for both teams. The Lions still have a shot at a 3A playoff berth if they win, because they take on Hanford in a few weeks. The Suns are coming off their first MCC win last week in Walla Walla. A win tonight, and one next week against Pasco, could put them back into the playoff picture.

Royal at Kiona-Benton, 7 p.m.

Royal is ranked No. 1 in the latest 1A state poll. Kiona-Benton should also make the postseason.

“We need to be solid on special teams,” said Ki-Be coach Darren Mezger. “We have to play solid assignment football on both sides of the ball, and we have to play our most physical game of the year to match up with Royal.”

Royal coach Wiley Allred isn’t taking anything for granted.

“We need to tackle, and play solid defense,” said Allred. “Their skill guys are scary.”

Southeast 2B

Finally, the four-team Southeast 2B league play begins, with Asotin at Tri-Cities Prep (at Chiawana High at 7 p.m.), and Waitsburg-Prescott at DeSales (7 p.m.). Doesn’t matter what these teams have done to this point. These next three weeks are all that matters as far as the playoffs are concerned.

Touchet at Colton, 3 p.m.

Yes, we all know that Liberty Christian is the top team in the state 1B poll. But there are still some pretty good teams in this 8-man league, including Touchet (ranked third in the latest poll) and Colton (received some votes).

“For Touchet to beat Colton, our defense will have to be able to cover the pass,” said Touchet coach Gary Dorman. “Colton passes about 75 percent of the time and they have a very efficient and accurate quarterback (in Carter Dahmen). They have receivers that go to the ball very well and run routes very well. We don't see that in 8-man football as often as others.”

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Prep football: Prosser visits Ellensburg on Friday."