FORKS — So what have we learned about prep football on the North Olympic Peninsula two weeks deep into a 10-week-long regular season march?
Forks (2-0) which hosts Chimacum (2-0) in the weekend’s prime matchup, a non-league contest tonight at 7 p.m., has put a hurting on its first two opponents, vanquishing Vashon 68-0 in week one and putting up 40 unanswered points in a 54-21 win over King’s Way Christian last week.
The decision to move Cole Baysinger, the team’s best overall athlete, to another new position on offense, his third in the last three seasons, has paid major dividends for the Spartans.
After stints at quarterback as a sophomore, including throwing for nearly 400 yards in a thrilling win over Chimacum in 2015, and wide receiver last season, Baysinger has racked up rushing totals of 230 and 236 yards and nine touchdowns in the team’s opening games.
There are plenty of games left but Baysinger is far and away the frontrunner for All-Peninsula Football MVP honors, particularly if the Spartans keep piling up the points and wins heading into Evergreen League play.
Chimacum, meanwhile, snapped a nine-game losing streak in a season-opening win over Neah Bay and followed up with a second-straight solid defensive performance in a 13-6 win over South Whidbey last week.
The Cowboys defense has yielded just one touchdown so far, the result of vastly improved team tackling.
Chimacum defenders are getting into opponents’ backfields for tackles for loss and rallying to the ball for group tackles — a style of play likely to lead to even more wins this season.
Against an experienced and stout Forks offensive line, however, the Cowboys will face their toughest game yet.
Prediction: Forks 39, Chimacum 16
Centralia at Sequim
SEQUIM — The Wolves confronted a tough task in their season-opening loss to Montesano last week. Opening against a perennial powerhouse isn’t an easy task, and wasn’t even considered until Port Townsend had to cancel its originally scheduled opener with Sequim.
Then last week’s smoky skies moved practice indoors, never a preferred option for putting in a game plan.
This week, the Wolves should fare better against a Centralia Tigers (1-1) team led by first-year head coach Jeremy Thibault.
Thibault likes to employ the onside kick and Tigers quarterback/punter Kolby Baird is known for a big leg, so options for Sequim’s returners might be limited.
Prediction: Sequim 34, Centralia 28
Port Angeles at No. 10 North Kitsap
POULSBO — Flying high after taking down Port Townsend to earn their first win in two seasons, the Roughriders are rewarded with a road game against the defending Olympic League-champion Vikings.
North Kitsap’s road to a repeat league title begins tonight.
Prediction: North Kitsap 48, Port Angeles 6
No. 3 Mount Baker at Port Townsend
PORT TOWNSEND — The Redhawks (0-2) are young, inexperienced at the varsity level at some positions and small in terms of turnout and size.
That does not translate to a recipe for success against the power-running attack deployed by the Mountaineers (2-0).
Mount Baker has a balanced backfield with three players averaging more than 10 yards per carry on the season. Those numbers probably won’t dip after a trip to Port Townsend.
A bright spot for the Redhawks? Sophomore safety Noa Apker-Montoya totaled two interceptions, including a return for a touchdown against Port Angeles last week. Apker-Montoya had 10 interceptions as a freshman — a school record.
Prediction: Mount Baker 54, Port Townsend 6
Saturday Clallam Bay at Crescent (6-Man)
JOYCE — Expect breakaway touchdowns, plenty of juke moves and ample points on the scoreboard in a six-man football game in Joyce at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Quarterbacks (and those who take the snap from center) can’t advance the football without a pitch, so running backs will be utilized even more than usual.
Crescent has more running backs in its arsenal, so I expect the Loggers to tame the Bruins.
Prediction: Crescent 52, Clallam Bay 30
Quilcene on bye, Neah Bay canceled
QUILCENE — The Rangers have the week off, while Seattle Lutheran canceled a game with Neah Bay originally scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight.
Quilcene (2-0) visits Crescent next Saturday, while the Red Devils (0-2) visit Forks for an 11-man game.
Last Week: 5-1
Season to date: 9-2
