Eastmont vs West Valley Football Preview: Undefeated Wildcats Take on Resurgent Rams
The Friday night lights shift to Yakima for a compelling Week 6 matchup as Eastmont vs West Valley football takes center stage. On Friday, October 9, at 7:00 p.m., the undefeated Wildcats will travel south to face a Rams squad that has completely flipped the script on their season after a brutal opening stretch.
Eastmont: An Undefeated, Well-Oiled Machine
Going into Week 6, the Eastmont Wildcats sit at a flawless 5-0. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Rory Rosenbach—who brings a heavy championship pedigree, having won multiple state titles with other programs—the Wildcats have looked absolutely incredible. They are currently outscoring opponents by a massive margin, averaging 49.2 points per game while allowing just 18.6 defensively.
Eastmont’s dominance was on full display in last week’s home game against the Eisenhower Cadets. The Wildcats erupted for 50 points in the first half alone, capped off by junior Conley McGinnis returning an interception 97 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the half. With the game firmly in hand, Eastmont took its foot off the gas, cruising to a 57-13 victory.
Senior quarterback Peyton Zelinski continues to operate the offense with precision. Against Eisenhower, Zelinski was an incredibly efficient 8-for-11 passing, throwing for 138 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception. When half of your completions result in a touchdown, that is as efficient as it gets—and it is a big reason why he boasts a 121.3 quarterback rating on the year.
The supporting cast is just as dangerous. Workhorse running back Javin Britton broke the 100-yard rushing mark last week, finishing with 102 yards on just three carries, hopefully saving his body some wear and tear for the second half of the season. Meanwhile, junior fullback Austin Zelinski led the team in receiving, taking two catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. So far, this offense is a well-oiled machine that has yet to be stopped.
West Valley: A Resurgent Rams Squad Turning the Corner
On the opposing sideline, the West Valley Rams enter the game at 2-3, but you can throw that record out the window.
Led by Head Coach Ryan Scott—now in his third season at the helm after following Yakima coaching legend Dan Eyman—the Rams are proving their mettle. Scott strongly emphasizes resilience and mental toughness, particularly when developing younger rosters. Following the Rams’ thrilling September 25th triple-overtime victory against the Davis Pirates, Scott noted his team’s growth, stating: “We’ve been talking about how difficulties can make you bitter or they can make you better.”
After an incredibly rough 0-3 start where they struggled to stay competitive, the Rams have generated massive momentum by winning two consecutive league games. That slow start makes sense in context: all three early losses came against teams with winning records, including a powerhouse Moses Lake Mavericks squad currently ranked 7th in the MaxPreps 4A poll.
The Rams officially proved they have turned a corner last week, capturing their first road win at Sunnyside in 12 years—removing a giant monkey from their backs. The offense is clicking at the right time. Quarterback Drayden Birley threw for nearly 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win, while senior wideout Dalton Hargraves exploded for 12 catches and 119 yards. Aided by explosive playmakers Micah Jones and Braylen Yount, the Rams’ offense looks vastly improved.
What to Watch Friday Night
This game will test West Valley’s newfound momentum. Can Birley and the Rams’ passing attack go blow-for-blow with an Eastmont offense that is putting up nearly 50 points a game? If West Valley’s defense can find a way to slow down Eastmont’s well-oiled machine, they have a chance to make this a battle.
Stay locked into the action all season long. Head over to our Eastmont Wildcats Football hub or West Valley Rams Football hub for the latest team coverage.