Here’s the Week 8 high school football Game of the Week in the South Sound, along with our predictions for every South Sound matchup.
GAME OF THE WEEK
LAKES LANCERS (6-1) VS. PENINSULA SEAHAWKS (5-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 at Roy Anderson Field
The 3A Puget Sound League’s Nisqually division title is up for grabs on Friday night at Roy Anderson Field. Peninsula has orchestrated one of the most impressive turnarounds of the 2026 season, rattling off five straight wins after an 0-2 start with non-league losses to W.F. West and Franklin Pierce. Quarterback Talen McDonnell has been a high-level facilitator, getting the ball on time to playmakers. McDonnell has cut down on turnovers this season and leads a balanced offense. Two-way players RB/LB Thomas Marzano and OL/DE TJ Strilcov are players to watch for the Seahawks. Lakes has found its footing on offense after some early-season struggles, when the Lancers were figuring out how to replace sophomore star QB Jadis Lefono, who suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason. Elijah “EJ” Gafa-Shields has filled in well at quarterback, passing for 724 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has six rushing touchdowns. Running back Korben Reed (773 yards, 13 TDs) has been the lead back this season, but the return of powerful runner Toetu Moliga gives longtime coach Dave Miller a thunder-and-lightning 1-2 punch at the position going forward. We like Lakes to win and secure a Top 10 seed in the state tournament.
TNT pick: Lakes 28, Peninsula 21
PREDICTIONS FOR EVERY SOUTH SOUND MATCHUP
THURSDAY’S GAMES (OCT. 22)
4A SPSL
Curtis over Rogers
Spanaway Lake over Yelm
4A NPSL
Auburn Riverside over Kentridge
3A PSL
Timberline over Capital
3A NPSL
Auburn Mountainview over Thomas Jefferson
2A SPSL
Steilacoom over Clover Park
Orting over Franklin Pierce
FRIDAY’S GAMES (OCT. 23)
4A NPSL
Kentwood over Auburn
Kennedy Catholic over Tahoma
Stadium over Mount Rainier
4A SPSL
Olympia over Bethel
Graham-Kapowsin over Bonney Lake
Sumner over South Kitsap
Puyallup over Emerald Ridge
3A PSL
Bellarmine Prep over Central Kitsap
North Thurston over River Ridge
Mount Tahoma over Gig Harbor
Lincoln over Silas
3A NPSL
Federal Way over White River
Enumclaw over Kent-Meridian
2A SPSL
Eatonville over Foss
Fife over Washington
2A EVCO/GSHL
Tumwater over Black Hills
SATURDAY’S GAMES (OCT. 24)
1A NISQUALLY
Cascade Christian over Annie Wright