Quarterfinal gridiron primer

CLASS 4A

Ferris (8-3) vs. Eisenhower (11-0)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Zaepfel Stadium.

What’s ahead: Semifinal vs. Auburn-Skyview winner.

State rankings: Eisenhower No. 7.

Scouting report: After facing a ground-oriented Southridge team in the first round, the Cadets must shift defensive gears against aerial Ferris and its WSU-bound QB Connor Halliday. The 6-4, 190-pound senior averages 31 attempts and 294 yards a game and has 32 TDs. WR Jason Bates (6-4, 185) is his favorite target with 84 receptions, 1,339 yards and 17 TDs. The question for the Saxons is defense. Last year’s state semifinalist has given up 34 points or more four times and ranked fifth overall in the GSL. Ferris cashed in on five turnovers in last week’s 41-16 win over Kamiakin, which fell behind 24-7 in the first quarter.

Ferris season: d. North Central 59-0; lost to Gonzaga Prep 38-35; d. Mead 28-10; d. Mt. Spokane 31-14;  d. Esperanza, Calif., 41-35 (OT); d. Shadle Park 56-7; lost to Central Valley 34-31; lost to Lewis & Clark 42-20; d. University 28-23; d. Wenatchee 21-10; d. Kamiakin 41-16.

CLASS 2A

Mark Morris (10-1) vs. Ellensburg (11-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Lampson Stadium, Kennewick.

What’s ahead: Semifinal vs. Othello-West Valley winner.

State rankings: Ellensburg No. 1, Mark Morris No. 7.

Scouting report: Mark Morris is a Wing-T team with a 10-game win streak. In last week’s first-round win over Interlake, the Monarchs rushed 69 times for 390 yards in a 35-21 win. The Longview team uses a lot of RBs but the primary scorer has been junior wingback Jeremy Wolf (5-9, 150) with 13 TDs on offense and two more on kickoff returns. He had 136 yards and a score against Interlake. MM will mix in a few passes and QB Scott Kirkpatrick has thrown for 900 yards and 10 TDs. Two-way lineman Jake Welch (6-4, 295) is a four-year starter who has committed to Air Force and anchors a big offensive line.

Mark Morris season: lost to Kelso 15-14; d. Centralia 41-34; d. Eatonville 42-0; d. Franklin 48-8; d. Washougal 27-0; d. Woodland 41-7; d. Ridgefield 47-0; d. Hockinson 42-7; d. R.A. Long 21-7; d. River Ridge 55-6; d. Interlake 35-21.

CLASS 2B

DeSales (7-3) vs. La Salle (11-0)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Marquette Stadium.

What’s ahead: Semifinal vs. South Bend-Colfax winner.

State rankings: La Salle No. 2.

Scouting report: DeSales did not do much against La Salle in a 20-0 season-opening loss when the visiting Lightning jumped ahead with all its scoring in the first half. DeSales finished in a three-way tie for its league title and had to survive a tiebreaker to qualify for state. The offense revolves almost entirely around QB Pat Richard, who has rushed for 1,070 yards and 16 TDs and passed for 1,609 yards and 19 TDs. In last week’s win over White Swan, Richard accounted for 311 yards of offense with five TDs. Richard has only seven interceptions in 219 passing attempts but two of the picks came against La Salle.

DeSales season: lost to La Salle 20-0; d. McLoughlin, Ore., 26-0; lost to Colfax 33-14; d. Tekoa-Oakesdale-Rosalia 35-14; d. Dayton 57-6; d. Pomeroy 35-6; lost to Waitsburg-Prescott 35-28; d. Asotin 50-36; d. Liberty Christian 58-14; d. White Swan 48-7.