An unbeaten regular season – mostly by lopsided scores – helped East Valley earn the third seed in the Class 2A state-qualifying round.
With a diverse offense led by a crew of seniors that were making noise early in their Red Devil careers, the team is now on the cusp of making a deep run after capturing the program’s first conference championship since 2004.
Coach Eric Berg’s son Jaxon Berg leads the offense, and has thrown for 79 touchdowns – including eight last week against Ellensburg to match the Yakima Valley record set by Prosser legend and current New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore.
His top target is Montana State-recruit Greyson Stevens who has a team-high 14 TD receptions.
Braden Albrecht leads the Yakima Valley in rushing (1,130 yards) and total TDs (21), and is complemented by do-it-all Cody Gasseling.
The Red Devils’ defense, too, is formidable with lineman Zeliah Wade wreaking havoc, and stellar linebacking group topped by Logan Jones and Gasseling.
Now, the postseason awaits.
Here’s a breakdown of the five state-qualifiers involving CBBN teams:
No. 18 North Mason (7-2) vs. No. 15 Prosser (6-3)
Time, site: 6 p.m. Friday at Art Fiker Stadium, Prosser.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 2A state bracket.
What to know: Prosser gave third-seeded East Valley its toughest game this fall, a 13-7 Red Devils win September. The sophomore pitch-and-catch combo of Daniel Diaz and Brody Buxton have keyed the Mustangs offense. Caden Atencio rushed for nearly 1,600 yards this fall to lead the Bulldogs offense, while the defense had held all put two opponents to 21 points or less.
Who has the edge: As far as seedings go, this about as close as matchups get. Prosser has the tradition with a handful of championships, while North Mason hasn’t made a playoff run in more than 30 years.
No. 22 Selah (5-4) vs. No. 11 Sehome (5-4)
Time, site: 2 p.m. Saturday, Civic Stadium in Bellingham.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 2A state bracket.
What to know: Both teams come from powerful conferences, with all their losses to play-in qualifiers. Second-year coach Greg Haste has the Vikings on an upward swing after a two-win season in 2023. The Mariners were a quarterfinalist a year ago, upending CWAC champion Othello 22-21 in the first round of the playoffs.
Who has the edge: Pretty comparable records, but will the long bus ride for the Vikings give Sehome the edge?
No. 30 Rogers of Spokane (5-4) vs. No. 3 East Valley (9-0)
Time, site: 2 p.m. Saturday, Earl Barden Sr. Stadium.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 2A state bracket.
What to know: The Red Devils are rolling on both sides of the ball, and after a one-score victory against Prosser in week three, they have won six straight by at least three touchdowns and capped the season with back-to-back shutouts to earn the high seed. The Pirates lost three of five games down the stretch.
Who has the edge: Hard to think East Valley, which rumbled through the CWAC, will be slowed this early in the postseason.
No. 20 Ephrata (6-3) vs. No. 13 Steilacoom (7-2)
Time, site: 2 p.m. Saturday, Steilacoom High School.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 2A state bracket.
What to know: The Tigers missed out on the state playoffs last year after two straight berths, but senior quarterback Brady Hendrick has them eyeing a return. The Sentinels were guided by junior quarterback Titus Kaeka, who has thrown for nearly 2,300 yards. Steilacoom bounced back from a lopsided loss to seventh-seeded Franklin Pierce with three consecutive wins.
Who has the edge: Another tight matchup, but going through the CWAC could very well be to Ephrata’s favor.
No. 25 Renton (6-3) vs. No. 8 Othello (8-1)
Time, site: 2 p.m. Saturday, Husky Stadium in Othello.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 2A state bracket.
What to know: The Huskies’ only loss was to unbeaten East Valley, and Othello responded with four straight victories led by running back Gavin Carl. The Redhawks capped the season with back-to-back wins in a Kingco conference which included 4A, 3A, and 2A teams. Renton is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 1998.
Who has the edge: History and the present are on Othello’s side, as the Huskies look to make another playoff run.
