SEQUIM — Nothing is etched in stone, but No. 10 North Kitsap again appears to be the class of the Class 2A Olympic League and the likely league champion once again.
After that, the picture muddies a bit, with some surprise teams and some squads continuing to grow after making moves last season.
Sequim (0-0, 2-1) hosts Bremerton (1-0, 3-0) tonight at 7 p.m. The Knights are coming off a 37-23 win over Olympic and are building off a 2016 season that saw Bremerton reach the West Central District playoffs.
The Knights have a new artificial turf field at Memorial Stadium and a host of talented athletes on both sides of the ball as they continue to build forward momentum.
Last year, Gavin Velarde’s opening kickoff return for a touchdown stood up in a defensive battle won 7-0 by Sequim.
Velarde should be back after sitting out the Wolves’ thrilling 23-22 win over Centralia last week.
“It’s always tough against Bremerton,” Sequim coach Erik Wiker said. “We saw a big improvement in effort and discipline with their kids with the new coaching staff last year and they always have athletes.”
Prediction: Sequim 24, Bremerton 20
Port Angeles at North Mason
BELFAIR — The Bulldogs (1-0, 3-0) are the biggest surprise in the Olympic League, rolling out to an undefeated start, albeit against teams with a combined 0-9 record on the season.
North Mason also has new artificial turf at Phil Pugh Field, formerly a bog during wet weather games, to go along with a new high school that opened last year.
“We feel we can match up with North Mason,” Roughriders coach Bret Curtis said. “We think we can go down there and win this game.”
The Bulldogs’ stout offensive line, with three players weighing in at 255 pounds or more, will have something to say about that.
Prediction: North Mason 28, Port Angeles 14
Neah Bay at Forks
FORKS — If the Red Devils (0-2) can cut down on turnovers, a problem that has plagued the team in two early losses, they might be able to hang with the Spartans in Forks’ homecoming game.
But Forks (3-0) is too big, too strong and maybe most importantly, too fast for Neah Bay to keep up.
Prediction: Forks 48, Neah Bay 8
Bellevue Christian at Port Townsend
PORT TOWNSEND — Homecoming for the Redhawks, even though they played at home last week. The Olympic-Nisqually season will kickoff at 7:30 p.m., in order to observe Rosh Hashanah.
Something’s got to give, record-wise, as both teams enter with 0-3 marks.
Prediction: Port Townsend 14, Bellevue Christian 13
Saturday’s Games Quilcene at Crescent
JOYCE — Nothing but pride is on the line in this nonleague game at 1 p.m. Saturday between the Loggers (2-1) and Rangers (2-0), but it’s still an important measuring stick for the two teams.
Crescent head coach Brian Shimko talked about this game during preseason practices. He wants to get a win against Quilcene after falling to the Rangers 40-24 last year and 32-24 in 2015.
Prediction: Quilcene 30, Crescent 29
Clallam Bay at Evergreen Lutheran
TACOMA — The Bruins get another six-man game against the Eagles (0-2) at 1 p.m. at Franklin Pierce High School.
Prediction: Clallam Bay 45, Evergreen Lutheran 39
Chimacum at No. 8 Cascade Christian
SUMNER — Out of the frying pan and into the fire for the Cowboys. A week after being gouged for 515 rushing yards in a 52-7 loss at Forks, Chimacum heads south to take on a Cougars team that fell 34-29 to No. 5 Meridian last week.
Prediction: Cascade Christian 51, Chimacum 12
Last Week: 5-0.
Season to date: 14-2.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
