Marysville-Pilchuck and Lakewood will host first-round state playoff game Friday.

M-P plays against Prairie, while the Cougars take on Sequim.

The M-P defense will have to watch out for Prairie quarterback AJ Dixson both through the air and as a lightning-quick runner. He has connected on 120-191 passes for 1,714 yards and 20 TDs. He has also run the ball 120 times for 896 yards and 15 scores.

When he does hand off it is usually to Dustin Shelby, who ran for 775 yards and 11 scores on 73 carries, or Devante Clayton. Dixson likes to keep the ball on the option after a fake.

When he throws, Dixson likes to spread the ball around, completing passes to 9 different receivers. Tops among them is Jimmy Barton, who caught 26 passes for 508 yards and 4 scores, and also is a threat as a kick returner. Treyce Teague caught 28 passes for 311 yards and 5 scores. Ian Davis has caught 21 passes for 256 yards and 3 scores and Zeke Dixson is an all-league first-team receiver.

Prairie scored 454 points this season and gave up 179, while M-P scored 393 and gave up just 120.

Prairie won its game last week easily, while M-P had to hang on against Ballard.

Lakewood 

The Cougars play Sequim in the 2A state playoffs. The Wolves are 9-1; the Cougs 8-1. Sequim has outscored Lakewood 298-292 on the year, but the Cougar defense has done better, 127 points compared to 141.

Lakewood runs the ball more, 240 yards a game to 160, but Sequim passes more 160 to 130.

For Sequim, quarterback Kobe Applegate throws for 138 yards a game. Walker Ward runs for 104 a contest. Isaish Cowan leads the Wolves in tackles and Mitchell Horton sacks. Taig Walker gets 180 total yards a game and scores 9 points a game.

Jared Taylor leads the Cougars in rushing, passing and total yards and scoring with 11 a game. Derek Robbins leads the team in tackles and Jakobus Seth in sacks.