FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Federal Way at Edmonds-Woodway

What's at stake: A berth into the first round of the 16-team Class 4A State Football Playoffs. The winner of the Federal Way/Edmonds-Woodway game will play the winner of a game between Jefferson and Skyline. The TJ/Skyline winner will host the first-round game on Nov. 15 or 16.

By Casey Olson • November 7, 2013 2:15 pm
Federal Way senior quarterback/defensive back Keenan Curran and the Eagles will take on the Edmonds-Woodway Warriors at 7:30 p.m. at Edmonds Stadium on Friday night. The winner will advance into the 16-team Class 4A State Football Playoffs.
Federal Way senior quarterback/defensive back Keenan Curran and the Eagles will take on the Edmonds-Woodway Warriors at 7:30 p.m. at Edmonds Stadium on Friday night. The winner will advance into the 16-team Class 4A State Football Playoffs.

What: Federal Way (7-2) at Edmonds-Woodway (8-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8

Where: Edmonds Stadium

Broadcast: The Federal Way/Edmonds-Woodway game will be video broadcasted on the website, www.SoundLiveSportsNetwork.com

What’s at stake: A berth into the first round of the 16-team Class 4A State Football Playoffs. The winner of the Federal Way/Edmonds-Woodway game will play the winner of a game between Jefferson and Skyline. The TJ/Skyline winner will host the first-round game on Nov. 15 or 16.

How they got here: Sixth-ranked Federal Way (7-2) finished third in the SPSL South with regular-season losses to Graham-Kapowsin and Curtis in the final week of the season. It was the first time since 2010 that the Eagles didn’t win the SPSL South title.

Seventh-ranked Edmonds-Woodway (8-1) finished up as the second-place team in the Wesco League after losing to Lake Stevens in the league championship game last week in a shootout, 53-49.

Why Edmonds-Woodway will win: The Warriors feature a high-powered offense that averages more than 415 yards a game, including 267 yards a game on the ground.

Edmonds-Woodway has been led all season by senior running back Junior Opoku-Mensah. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder has 1,453 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has been over 125 yards in every game except one. Opoku-Mensah also has multiple touchdowns in seven games, including five during a 24-carry, 270-yard performance against Mariner.

Senior quarterback Davis Giles has 1,384 yards through the air and 18 touchdowns and only six interceptions. His main targets are Jason Smarr (11 catches, 503 yards, 6 TDs), Scott Myricks (18 catches, 336 yards, 6 TDs) and Theo Lebesis (10 catches, 210 yards, 4 TDs).

The Warriors’ defense had two shutouts, but gave up 14 or more points in five games, including 53 last week against Lake Stevens. Senior Connor McCole has four interceptions at defensive back and senior linebacker Mac Mclachan leads Edmonds-Woodway with 65 total tackles.

Why Federal Way will win: The Eagles are going to score points. They have been doing it all season. In their seven wins, Federal Way has averaged 47 points a game. But, in their two losses to Graham-Kapowsin and Curtis, the Eagles have scored only 14 points a game.

Like they have all year, Federal Way will be leaning heavily on junior Chico McClatcher. The all-everything running back has scored a grand total of 24 touchdowns this season, including touchdowns in every way possible: rushing, passing, receiving, defensive and kick returns.

The Eagles will also count on senior quarterback/wide receiver/running back Keenan Curran, who has over 2,000 yards of total offense and is also one of the best defensive backs in the state.

The game will be won on the defensive side of the ball, where Federal Way struggled during their two losses.  Federal Way will have to limit mistakes that have been very costly during their losses to Graham-Kapowsin and Curtis.