WIAA 2B football championship preview: Napavine, Okanogan making habit of December showdowns

Rematch of last year's state championship game marks fourth time these programs have met with Class 2B title on line

Editor's note: This Class 2B preview package was written up by SBLive WA staff for the WIAA state program. Game predictions made by reporters Todd Milles, Hailey Palmer and Tri-Cities-based Evans Rankings' founder Matt Evans.

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Napavine coach Josh Fay had a simple message for Okanogan coach Erick Judd when the the two men shook hands after the Tigers’ 41-27 victory in last year’s Class 2B championship game in Lakewood:

"We’ll see you next year," Fay said.

Fay was on it, because 364 days later, the two teams will meet in the season's final game for the fourth time in the past decade - this time at Husky Stadium.

"It takes a lot to make it back," Judd said. "Even with those expectations, you have to find a way to get there."

For Okanogan, that path had a lot of zeroes. The Bulldogs have recorded six shutouts this season - and allowed just one score since September. Defensive lineman Kasey Erickson leads a strong group up front that can mix and match personnel depending on how offenses want to attack.

"They’re playing with a lot of confidence right now," Judd said.

The Tigers, though, are a different beast offensively. Quarterback Ashton Demarest leads a side with a plethora of offensive weapons. Napavine averaged 43 points per game against in-classification competition this year.

"Who are you going to stop? They have (James) Grose, (Conner) Holmes, (Colin) Shields, (Cael) Stanley,” Judd said. "And if you somehow get them, Demarest is the first one you’re going to have to stop."

While these programs are plenty familiar with each another — and hold an immense respect for each other's remarkable consistency — the stage is bigger than ever before. Picturesque Husky Stadium plays first-time hostm and the players couldn’t be more excited, the coaches agreed.

"If it was (basketball movie) ‘Hoosiers’, we’d go measure the rims for them," Fay quipped.

"We’ll tell them to soak it all in, but as soon as things get going, it’s just another football field."

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CLASS 2B CHAMPIONSHIP PRIMER

Photo by Joshua Hart

NO. 2 OKANOGAN BULLDOGS (12-0) vs. NO. 1 NAPAVINE TIGERS (11-1)

11 a.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium, Seattle

Coaches: Erick Judd is in his 13th season at Okanogan (115-26 record). Joshua Fay is in his 17th season at Napavine (175-32 record).

WIAA championship history: Okanogan won the Class 1A title in 1999, and back-to-back Class 2B titles in 2014-15 against Napavine. The Tigers won a Class 1B championship in 1976, and Class 2B titles in 2008, 2016 and last year — over Okanogan.

Road to 2023 Gridiron Classic: Second-seeded Okanogan defeated No. 7 Goldendale in the quarterfinals (38-0) and No. 3 Northwest Christian of Colbert in the semifinals (21-0). Top-seeded Napavine defeated No. 8 River View in the quarterfinals (43-14) and No. 4 Onalaska in the semifinals (36-26).

Statistical leaders: For Okanogan — QB Carter Kuchenbuch (29-60, 486 yards, nine TDs; 94 carries, 918 yards, 23 TDs), RB Steele Rico (93 carries, 602 yards, 11 TDs), RB David Huffstetler (117 carries, 868 yards, 12 TDs), WR Tanner Grooms (67 carries, 705 yards, 10 TDs) and DL Kasey Erickson (48 tackles, 15 TFL, six sacks). For Napavine — QB Ashton Demarest (115-208, 2,109 yards, 28 TDs; 107 carries, 903 yards, 16 TDs), RB Cael Stanley (78 carries, 598 yards, 11 TDs), WR Karsen Denault (24 catches, 522 yards, nine TDs) and LB Grady Wilson (85 tackles, 10 TFL).

Palmer's pick: Napavine, 40-32.

Milles' pick: Okanogan, 29-26.

Evans' pick: Napavine, 38-21.

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