Under the Lights: Yakima Valley's Playoff Dreams Ignite Across Washington

Well, the waiting is finally over, isn't it? The WIAA, in its infinite wisdom — or maybe just its methodical process — has officially unveiled the state playoff brackets, and oh, what a reveal it's been for our Yakima Valley teams. There’s a palpable buzz in the air, a mix of anticipation and, let's be honest, a touch of nervous excitement as local athletes prepare to embark on their championship journeys.

And really, for the 2A East Valley Red Devils football squad, the news couldn't be much better. They’ve snagged a rather impressive No. 3 seed, which, you could say, really underlines the fantastic season they've had. This means a home game, a distinct advantage when you consider the energy of a local crowd, for their opening round contest. They’ll be hosting the No. 14 seed Anacortes Seahawks – a team, no doubt, looking to play spoiler – right there at Zaher Field, this coming Saturday, November 4th, with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. It’s set to be quite the spectacle, I imagine.

But East Valley isn't the only local powerhouse making waves. Over in the 2B bracket, Toppenish, a team that has simply dominated, earned the top seed. A No. 1 seed! Can you believe it? They'll be welcoming No. 16 seed Rainier to their home turf, certainly with high expectations. Then, venturing into the smaller school realm, the 1B Mabton Vikings — a formidable group in their own right — drew the No. 2 seed. They're slated to host Neah Bay, which, if history is any guide, promises to be a spirited affair. It’s an exciting time for football in the Valley, don’t you think?

Moving from the gridiron to the court, the volleyball landscape is equally vibrant, if a little more spread out across the brackets. Our 4A representative, West Valley, secured the No. 10 seed, meaning they’ll be defending their home court against Lake Stevens. Then there’s Prosser, always a contender, entering the 2A tournament as the No. 11 seed and hosting Shadle Park. Just a few notches down, Selah, the No. 15 seed, faces a road trip to Pullman, which, let's be honest, is never an easy place to play. It's a true test of grit and travel readiness.

The smaller classifications also boast strong showings. Toppenish’s volleyball team, the No. 10 seed in 1A, gets to host Lynden Christian, while Wapato, the No. 14 seed, is headed for a tough road match against Charles Wright. And for our 1B schools, Mabton earned the No. 8 seed, giving them a home game against Mossyrock – a significant advantage, to be sure. Sunnyside Christian, though, the No. 9 seed, will trek to Wilbur-Creston-Keller for their opening bout. Now, if we switch gears to girls' soccer, West Valley's 4A squad drew the No. 12 seed and will face Kennedy Catholic away. Eisenhower, just a few spots down at No. 15, has a daunting trip to Tahoma. East Valley's 2A girls, as the No. 14 seed, will journey to Enumclaw, and Selah, the No. 16 seed, is off to battle Columbia River. Finally, Toppenish's 1A soccer team, also a No. 16 seed, heads to Seattle Academy. It's a lot of travel, certainly, but also an incredible opportunity.

So, there it is – the roadmap for what promises to be an exhilarating stretch of high school athletics. These matchups, these seeds, they're more than just numbers on a page; they represent countless hours of practice, dedication, and the sheer will to win. For our Yakima Valley teams, the journey to a state title truly begins now. Good luck to all our local athletes – may their hard work and passion shine through on the biggest stages. We’ll be watching, that’s for sure.