Playoff seeding depends on Friday night outcomes

There’s not only a league championship on the line for the Wildcats during this Friday’s game at Marysville-Pilchuck, but some significant playoff implications.

A win against the Tomahawks assures the Western Conference North championship and provides a huge bonus for Oak Harbor as the league’s top seed.

The Wildcats would not only “host” a 4A state tournament qualifying game, but if they advance past the qualifier will host a first round state game. As a number two seed they would get to host a qualifying game, but would have to travel beyond that.

As the top team for the WesCo North they will also get to face a lower seed from the South Puget Sound League South division in the qualifying round, opposed to a higher seed from a tough Narrows Bridge division.

Possible opponents from the SPSL North include Spanaway Lake, Federal Way and Rogers. Possible opponents from the Narrows Bridge are Gig Harbor, Shelton and South Kitsap.

To earn the league title and the other benefits OHHS has to beat MPHS, arguably the strongest 1-7 team in the state, or hope Cascade can knock off Arlington.

“On the road, in Marysville, it’s always a tough place to play,” OHHS coach Dave Ward said.

The Tomahawks, picked by several publications and coaches at the beginning of the season to vie for the WesCo North title, have had a rough go in 2005.

Six of Marysville’s seven losses have come by a touchdown or less.

They also possess one of the league’s top rushers, Marquise Moses, who has carried the ball 116 times for 757 yards and eight touchdowns.

Regardless of what happens, OHHS can finish no worse than second place in the WesCo North and has earned the right to host a state qualifying game at Mount Vernon High School, Saturday, Nov. 5.

They cannot play at Memorial Stadium in Oak Harbor because its condition is ruled unsuitable for post-season play in football and soccer. Quality of the playing surface, lack of seating and not enough parking are just a few of the reasons playoff games can’t be played in Oak Harbor.

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