Granite Falls Tigers aim to repeat as conference champs Friday

Light rain turned into a downpour during Wednesday practice at Granite Falls High School, but the Tigers see the path forward with clarity. The football team prepares to face King's on Friday in the Emerald Sound 1A conference title game. A victory would mark the program's second consecutive conference championship and position the team to host a winner-to-state game next week.

Granite Falls currently holds the No. 8 spot in the 1A RPI Rankings, while King's sits at No. 14. The Knights have historically dominated this conference, holding the title for six straight years until Granite Falls broke that streak last season. Coach Brandon Davis noted the discipline and quality of play King's displays annually, but he expects a competitive contest if his team controls the details within its grasp.

The team's trajectory has shifted dramatically since September. After losing 41-10 to Nanakuli High School in Hawaii and falling at Toledo to start 0-2, the Tigers won six straight games. During that winning streak, they defeated South Whidbey and Cedar Park Christian. The defense allowed only 47 points over those six contests, a sharp drop from the 40-plus points conceded in each of the first two games. Over that same span, the offense scored 226 points.

Senior linebacker Landon Gwinner attributed the turnaround to the bonding experience in Hawaii. The team traveled there for a five-day trip arranged by the Kaylee Scholarship Association. During the trip, players visited Pearl Harbor and attended a luau. Gwinner said seeing teammates outside of football created a family atmosphere that helped the group overcome early adversity.

Running back Beau Everson, a two-time First Team All-Conference selection, credited the offensive line and wide receivers for the team's scoring success. He described the unit as versatile and noted that the line provides solid blocks while the wideouts create space. Everson pointed to the confidence gained after a 26-0 win over ranked No. 18 Lakeside on Sept. 25 as a turning point. That game followed a defensive stop that halted Lakeside's first drive inside the five-yard line.

The coaching staff emphasized a mental shift toward resilience, adopting a "bend don't break" mentality to address poor body language after early losses. Senior Jaxx Goldsmith said the team set a new standard by aiming for playoff runs and conference titles rather than simply getting by. He expressed a desire for younger classes to build upon the foundation established by the current squad.

Granite Falls defeated King's 20-14 last year after trailing 14-0. That win sent the Tigers to a Week 10 game against La Center, which they lost 28-7. A win this Friday would improve the Tigers' standing in the rankings, making it more likely they host the next matchup. A subsequent victory in Week 10 would send them to the 1A State tournament for the first time since 2021 and the second time since 1990.

Davis said the team is focused on hosting a postseason game for the first time in roughly 30 to 40 years. He described the prospect as a significant milestone for the program. The team will rely on its experience and recent form to handle the pressure of the conference championship game on Friday.