WITH A FEW weeks left in the season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape in prep football.
As of Saturday, all but two of the North Olympic Peninsula’s nine teams can claim at least a reasonable shot at the postseason.
Port Townsend has already been eliminated from playoff contention, and its chief rival, Chimacum, needs to not only win out but get a ton of help.
Meanwhile, Port Angeles and Sequim already have spots locked up.
It’s just where each will land that’s in question.
With that in mind, here’s a quick glance at where each team with playoff hopes stands going down the stretch run:
Port Angeles
■ Best case: Roughriders win out and get a Sequim win over North Kitsap next week to claim Olympic League title.
That would mean a date with the Class 2A SPSL’s fourth seed (Steilacoom or Washington) at North Kitsap in the preliminary state playoffs.
■ Worst case: Two straight losses could put the Riders in a pigtail playoff with Interlake.
■ My best guess: The Riders split their last two and then must travel to face the 2A Seamount’s top team (Hazen or Renton) in the preliminary playoffs.
Sequim
■ Best case: Wolves continue October dominance with two more wins to earn a second straight Olympic League title.
They get 2A SPSL No. 4 Steilacoom or Washington at North Kitsap in the preliminary playoffs.
■ Worst case: Wolves lose two in a row and drop into third seed and preliminary playoff at 2A Seamount champion.
■ My best guess: I picked them to win league at the start of the season, and I’m not changing now.
Chimacum
■ Best case: Cowboys win out, Cedar Park Christian and Orting lose out, forcing the dreaded Kansas City tie-breaker between the three for a spot in the 1A preliminary playoffs.
■ Worst case: Cowboys lose out and finish in a three-way tie for last place in the 1A Nisqually.
■ My best guess: Somewhere in between, with the Cowboys splitting their last two — which includes a game against PT — and missing postseason.
Forks
■ Best case: Spartans knock off Tenino and Elma in succession, get some help, and claim SWL-Evergreen’s third seed to 1A preliminary playoffs.
That would mean a game at SWL-Trico No. 2 (LaCenter).
■ Worst case: Spartans drop final two games and finish out of playoffs in sixth place.
■ My best guess: Leaning toward the “worst case,” but could envision a Forks split that results in the SWL-Evergreen’s fourth and final playoff bid at Trico champ Kalama.
Of course, the Spartans could split and still remain out of the playoffs.
Quilcene
■ Best case: Rangers top Peninsula rivals Neah Bay, Clallam Bay and Crescent in succeeding weeks for Northwest Football League’s third or fourth 1B playoff bid.
A fourth seed would result in a game against the league champ (Lummi, Neah Bay or Lopez) in the 1B preliminary playoffs.
■ Worst case: Rangers lose two or three of their remaining games and are left out of the postseason.
■ My best guess: Road games at Neah Bay and Crescent will be tough. I’ll go with 1-2 and just out of the playoffs.
Neah Bay
■ Best case: Win out against Quilcene, Lummi and Clallam Bay and claim Northwest Football League title with a game against league’s No. 4 in 1B preliminary playoffs.
■ Worst case: Lose all three and end up on the outside looking in.
■ My best guess: The game at Lummi two weeks from now might be too much to ask. Give me a 2-1 finish and a spot in a pigtail playoff against Lopez.
Crescent
■ Best case: Regroup after bye next week, then beat Tulalip and Quilcene for fourth playoff spot in Northwest Football League.
■ Worst case: Lose last two games and finish out of the playoffs.
■ My best guess: Loggers sweep and squeak into 1B preliminary playoff against Lummi.
Clallam Bay
■ Best case: Continue remarkable rise to respectability with wins at Muckleshoot and Quilcene, then shock the world with upset of Neah Bay.
Depending upon what happens in other games, that could result in No. 2, 3 or 4 Northwest Football League playoff spot.
■ Worst case: Bruins drop all three and are out of postseason.
■ My best guess: Bruins drop two of three and miss playoffs by one game.
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Matt Schubert is the outdoors and sports columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column regularly appears on Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at matt.schubert@peninsuladailynews.com.
