The Wilbur-Creston-Keller (Creston, WA) varsity football team will face Garfield-Palouse (Palouse, WA) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 4 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Washington High School Football
Who: Garfield-Palouse vs Wilbur-Creston-Keller
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 4:00. p.m. ET
“2024 Football Washington State Championships – 1B State Football”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
Football Showdown: Garfield-Palouse vs. Wilbur-Creston-Keller – A Season to Remember
As the football season reaches its climax, the Garfield-Palouse and Wilbur-Creston-Keller teams stand out in Washington’s 2024-2025 rankings. These two teams, though separated by wins and losses, bring unique strengths to the field, showcasing impressive records, individual leaders, and team dynamics that make their head-to-head matchups exciting. Let’s take a closer look at how each team has fared this season and what to expect when they meet on the gridiron.
Garfield-Palouse: A Resilient Contender
The Garfield-Palouse team (24-25 season) has shown resilience, finishing with a 6-5 overall record. Despite some setbacks, the team excelled in their district play with a 4-1 record, demonstrating a strong home-field advantage (4-2 at home) while struggling a bit on the road (2-3 away). The team scored an average of 48.4 points per game, powered by an offense led by Preston Michel, who averaged 177.1 rushing yards per game, a standout statistic that showcases his ability to control the tempo.
While Garfield-Palouse’s performance in the regular season was solid, they faced tough challenges in the postseason, which led to their 74-18 loss against Wilbur-Creston-Keller on September 20, 2024. This match highlighted some of the team’s weaknesses, especially in dealing with the offensive powerhouse that is Wilbur-Creston-Keller.
Wilbur-Creston-Keller: The Unbeaten Juggernaut
On the flip side, Wilbur-Creston-Keller has been a dominant force this season, finishing with an unblemished 11-0 record. Their perfect run includes a flawless 3-0 record in district play, and they’ve also proven strong on the road with a 4-0 away record. The team has been impressive both offensively and defensively, averaging 67.1 points per game, a figure that dwarfs their opponent’s average. They are known for their explosive offense, particularly in the first half, where they average an impressive 52.6 points per game in the first two quarters alone.
Preston Michel of Garfield-Palouse may have been a standout player for his team, but Wilbur-Creston-Keller’s offense runs on a much larger scale. Their team totals are staggering, with an average of 410.3 rushing yards per game, paired with 130.3 passing yards per game, for a total of 540.5 yards of offense per game. This combination of balance and speed has made them nearly unstoppable this season.
Head-to-Head Matchup: September 20, 2024
The two teams met earlier in the season on September 20, 2024, where Wilbur-Creston-Keller emerged victorious with a resounding 74-18 win over Garfield-Palouse. In this matchup, the offensive power of Wilbur-Creston-Keller was on full display, overpowering Garfield-Palouse in every aspect of the game. With a strong opening, Wilbur-Creston-Keller dominated the first half, setting the tone for the rest of the game and leaving Garfield-Palouse with no room for recovery.
Team Stat Comparison
| Category | Garfield-Palouse | Wilbur-Creston-Keller |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 177.1 | 410.3 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 88.8 | 130.3 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 298.3 | 540.5 |
| Points Per Game | 48.4 | 67.1 |
| Tackles Per Game | 55.4 | 55.4 |
| Sacks Per Game | 0.6 | 2.2 |
Garfield-Palouse has a strong offensive leader in Preston Michel, but their ability to match up against the explosive nature of Wilbur-Creston-Keller’s offense, which averages over 540 yards per game, remains a significant challenge. Wilbur-Creston-Keller’s ability to move the ball effectively, coupled with their solid defense (2.2 sacks per game), means they can both score and defend at elite levels.
Common Opponents: A Tale of Two Schedules
Both teams have faced similar opponents throughout the season, but with differing outcomes. Here’s a quick look at their common matchups:
| Date | Opponent | Garfield-Palouse Result | Wilbur-Creston-Keller Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/14/2024 | Almira-Coulee-Hartline | L (54-28) | W (30-24) |
| 10/18/2024 | St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse | W (76-14) | W (64-0) |
| 10/25/2024 | Tekoa-Rosalia | W (48-6) | W (50-8) |
| 11/8/2024 | Wellpinit | W (78-8) | W (60-6) |
Both teams showed strong performances against most of the teams they’ve shared, but Wilbur-Creston-Keller’s dominance is clear, especially in their 64-0 and 60-6 victories over St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse and Wellpinit, respectively.
Outlook for the Playoffs
With the playoff season in full swing, both teams will look to continue their journeys with high hopes. While Wilbur-Creston-Keller remains the favorite with their undefeated record and commanding performances, Garfield-Palouse will need to leverage their strengths, such as their running game, to challenge Wilbur-Creston-Keller in a potential rematch.
For Garfield-Palouse, a more balanced attack and avoiding the mistakes that led to their early-season loss will be key. Meanwhile, Wilbur-Creston-Keller will need to continue their explosive offense and solid defense to maintain their perfect record.
Whether it’s an unexpected upset or a reaffirmation of Wilbur-Creston-Keller’s dominance, one thing is certain: the postseason promises exciting football, and these two teams will leave it all on the field.
