With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the battle lines are drawn in the Mid-Columbia Conference football season as teams vie for playoff berths.

Southridge, sitting at 5-0 in MCC play (6-1 overall), has the inside track to the 3A top seed.

One win by the Suns — either at home this Friday against Walla Walla, or at home Oct. 30 versus Kennewick — will clinch them the top 3A spot.

That game this Friday at Lampson, with the Blue Devils (3-2 MCC, 4-3 overall) visiting at Suns (kickoff at 7 p.m.), features two of the hottest teams in the conference.

Justin James’ Wa-Hi club has won two straight games, beating Sageview 49-27 and then taking down Kennewick 42-21.

In those two games, the Blue Devils defense has forced nine turnovers — five by Sageview, and four by Kennewick — and the Wa-Hi offense didn’t give up the football once.

And it’s not one guy in the spotlight in the Wa-Hi defense.

Kalama Roberson is the No. 3 tackler in the MCC with 46, while Trey McCauley leads the conference with 5 interceptions.

James said that five of his players in the secondary have at least two or more interceptions this season, and altogether, Walla Walla has 20 interceptions in 2026.

“We are so well-coached back there (in the secondary),” said James.

Here’s the thing though: Southridge doesn’t throw the football much. The Suns run the Wing-T offense, which uses deception while a group of six running backs share the rushing load.

In addition, Suns coach Matt Johnson’s offensive line has done a great job of playing healthy to this point of the season.

Wa-Hi must play assignment football on defense, making sure each player stays in their area to make a tackle.

Tayton Jackman (931 rushing yards) and Jacob Korotkov (718) are the Suns’ main two rushers, sending second and fourth, respectively, in the MCC.

Meanwhile, Wa-Hi’s Lincoln Heinrich does a great job distributing the football to a talented corps of receivers. Heinrich has 1,484 passing yards this season, tossing 19 touchdown passes against 7 interceptions.

Trey McCauley leads the receivers with 38 catches for 420 yards, and Roberson is third in the MCC in rushing with 745 yards.

The Suns have the league’s third best defensive unit, with Korotkov second in tackles with 52.5 as a linebacker. Jackman, at defensive back, is tied for fourth with 45 tackles.

Other games

Kennewick visits Chiawana on Friday (7 p.m. at Edgar Brown Stadium) in a big crossover MCC game. The visiting Lions need the win to battle for a 3A Round of 32 berth. Chiawana needs the win to stay with Richland in the 4A playoff battle.

Both the Riverhawks and Bombers are 4-1 in MCC play. The two teams meet at 7 p.m., Oct. 30, at Edgar Brown in a game that will likely determine the MCC’s top playoff spot in Class 4A.

Kamiakin visits Richland on Friday; while Sageview travels to Hermiston (also Friday). On Thursday, Hanford visits Pasco at Edgar Brown Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Top Week 7 players

Hermiston quarterback Brayden Medelez continues to shine. Even tough the Bulldogs lost 22-21 to visiting Richland, the junior rushed for 173 yards and scored two TDs, and he also passed for 134 yards and another score. … Justin Vollmer and Finn Bunnage made some great plays in the win for Richland. Bunnage scored the winning touchdown late in the game on a short run. But he also had to run the decisive 2-point conversion in for the winning score. Bunnage also had 10 tackles and a QB sack at linebacker. Vollmer rushed for the other two Richland touchdowns, but he also added 10 tackles from the other linebacker spot. … Wa-Hi’s Heinrich tossed four touchdown passes and ran for another in the Blue Devils’ win over Kennewick. He had 278 passing yards. Trey McCauley caught 6 passes for 63 yards and a score. But he also had those two interceptions on defense. … Jackman was again outstanding in Southridge’s 49-32 win over Sageview. He had 179 yards rushing and scored once. In defense, he added 3 tackles and a forced fumble. … The Lobos got another week of outstanding performances in the loss. Alex Flores was 22 for 33 for 270 yards of passing, including four TD strikes. Jaysen Beasley caught 8 of Flores’ passes for 162 yards and three TDs. … Kamiakin QB Gavin Cronrath was efficient in the Braves’ 46-0 rout of Hanford. Cronrath was 15 for 18 for 254 yards and two TDs. … Chiawana’s Cooper Cissne continues to show why he’s the best in the MCC. The junior rushed 9 times for 74 yards and a touchdown in the Riverhawks’ 42-6 win over Pasco. Cissne also had 7 tackles and an interception on defense. On special teams, he returned a punt 55 yards for another score.