A dozen games Saturday will decide what teams advance to the football state championship games.

Here's a look at how East Valley in Class 2A, and the SCAC's Royal and Cashmere in 1A stack up against their semifinal opponents and how they might fare.

CLASS 2A

No. 2 Tumwater (11-1) vs. No. 3 East Valley (12-0)

Time, site: 3 p.m. Saturday, Sid Otton Field at Tumwater High School.

How they got here: First round – Tumwater defeated No. 15 Washougal 47-6, East Valley defeated . No. 14 Burlington-Edison 56-22. Quarterfinals – Tumwater defeated No. 7 Franklin Pierce 26-7, East Valley defeated No. 6 Lynden 27-24.

Last state semifinal berth: Tumwater 2024, East Valley 2004.

What to know: Tumwater’s Wing-T is humming along as always as the Thunderbirds are looking for their first championship since 2019 after being the runner-up the last two years and 2021. Tumwater’s lone loss this season is to 4A No. 1 Puyallup. Last week’s victory against the Lions was East Valley’s second game this season decided by a touchdown. The Red Devils senior crew has been building toward this. After nabbing their first playoff berth since 2006 last fall, they added their first conference championship since 2004, when the Red Devils last were 12-0 and in the semifinals.

Who has the edge: History is on Tumwater’s side, but East Valley is enjoying a once-in-a-generation season. Can the Red Devils keep it going? The Hound says yes … barely.

The pick: East Valley 30, Tumwater 28.

CLASS 1A

No. 1 Royal (11-0) vs. No. 4 Lynden Christian (10-1)

Time, site: 3 p.m. Saturday, David Nielsen Memorial Field at Royal High School.

How they got here: First round – Both teams had byes. Quarterfinals – Royal defeated No. 8 Seton Catholic 48-10, Lynden Christian defeated No. 5 Montesano 56-35.

Last state semifinal berth: Royal 2024, Lynden Christian 2021.

What to know: The Knights have won five straight and eight of nine Class 1A state championships, and are riding a 46-game winning streak. The last team to beat Royal? Lynden Christian in September 2022. The Knights have won the two meetings since. Lynden Christian’s lone loss was to Mt. Baker 34-33. The Lyncs gave up 14 or more points five times, and more than 30 twice. Royal gave up 10 or more twice and has six shutouts this season.

Who has the edge: Graduation took all but a few of Royal’s starting lineup, but the culture and history keep churning along.

The pick: Royal 34, Lynden Christian 21.

No. 2 Cashmere (10-1) vs. No. 3 Mt. Baker (10-1)

Time, site: 3 p.m. Saturday, Apple Bowl in Wenatchee.

How they got here: First round – Both teams had byes. Quarterfinals – Cashmere defeated No. Life Christian 59-16, Mt. Baker defeated No. 11 Omak 32-22.

Last state semifinal berth: Cashmere 2024, Mt. Baker 2022.

What to know: Cashmere’s lone loss was in overtime to No. 1 Royal on Oct. 3. It was the closest any team had gotten to beating the Knights during their 46-game winning streak. The Bulldogs are looking to advance to the state championship game for the first time since 2008, when they captured the 1A title. The Mountaineers last advanced to the final in 2022, falling to Royal in the title game. Mt. Baker’s lone loss was to 3A Bellevue, which is playing in the semifinals, too.

Who has the edge: Cashmere gave the champs all they can handle, and have been as untouchable since. The Bulldogs’ special teams have come up with 11 touchdowns this season, and another one could break this one open.

The pick: Cashmere 33, Mt. Baker 20.