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Fish Bowl 2024: What to watch for on the field

Summer is still sizzling, but the first game of the high school football season is upon us and it promises to be a hot one.

The annual Fish Bowl game between the Gig Harbor Tides and the Peninsula Seahawks will be played at Mount Tahoma Stadium at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7.

This game has been much anticipated since last fall, when Tides quarterback Benji Park powered over the goalline to give Gig Harbor a 21-20 victory at Roy Anderson Field.

2023 in review

The Tides used the momentum from that game to propel themselves to a 7-3 season. They finished second in the old South Sound Conference, only one game behind the Yelm Tornadoes, who finished as the state Class 3A runners-up. The Tides advanced to the  playoffs, where their season ended with a defeat against Marysville-Pilchuck.

Peninsula was seemingly cruising with a 14-0 halftime lead in last year’s Fish Bowl. Instead, the Seahawks suffered their third straight loss to open the season.

But Peninsula rebounded and clawed back to 4-3 in league action. They finished 4-5 after late-season losses to Yelm and Timberline.

Both teams lost some fine talents from last year, but both also return a healthy amount of players with starting experience.

As it’s the season opener for both teams, a prediction on the outcome of the game would be speculative. However, there are a few things that I feel I can confidently predict about the 46th Fish Bowl.

The first is that it should be a very close game. The last three Fish Bowls have been decided by a combined 17 points.

The second is that this rivalry game will be viewed under a microscope by state and local administrators and consequently officiated very tightly. The team that stays away from emotional mistakes and costly penalties will have an advantage.

And the third is that both teams and coaching staffs will display good sportsmanship as each program desperately wants to both win the Fish Bowl trophy and do it the right way. If so, many hope the game will return back to Gig Harbor next year where the overwhelming majority of participants and community members would like the game to be played — but with proper attendance numbers allowed and more emergency medical staff on site.

Both teams have unique strengths and slightly different styles of play. Following are key aspects of the game that will be paramount to each team’s success.

Peninsula keys

Peninsula wants to control the offensive line of scrimmage.

Over the years one of the clear strengths of the Seahawks has been running behind a bruising offensive line. The Seahawks usually wear defenses down and take control late with physical line play and a stable of three or four running backs who look to capitalize when defenses tire. If Royal Charles and the Peninsula line can create enough running lanes for senior Wyatt Abrigo and his fellow running backs to gain first downs and control the clock, the game could be theirs.

The line also is responsible for protecting senior quarterback Mana Smythe, who has shown the ability to find receivers with crisp strikes. Extra time also allows his receivers to run longer routes that push the secondary deeper into coverage. That’s where the quarterback’s running ability is especially dangerous as he has shown juke moves that make linebackers miss in the open field.

Peninsula quarterback Mana Smythe. Photo by Bryce Carithers

A second key for the Seahawks offense will be their ability to turn field position into points. Last year, the Seahawks moved the ball downfield but attempted multiple fourth downs because of a somewhat inconsistent kicking game. It is important that their kicking game has improved or they convert a high percentage of fourth-down plays. In last year’s game, stalled Seahawks drives energized the Tides’ defense.

The third key for the Seahawks is to limit the Tides’ quick-strike capability, particularly Gig Harbor’s outside receivers. Peninsula slowed the Tides’ rushing attack last season, but allowed a few big passing plays in the second half. If Peninsula can contain chunk plays and keep speedsters like D.J. Darling and Liam Green in front of them, their chances of winning will increase significantly.

Gig Harbor keys

A key for the Tides will be slowing the Seahawks’ running game. It’s easier said than done.

The Tides’ beefy defense lineman can clog holes and keep their linebackers clean to make tackles. If they can force Smythe and the Seahawks offense into third-and-long situations, their pressure could be a difference-maker. The Tides’ secondary showed the ability to cover receivers in one-on-one situations last year, forcing Smythe to check down, tuck it and run or take sacks.

A second key for Gig Harbor is to get running back Ryland Geldermann involved early and often. Geldermann is a powerful runner with a low center of gravity and breakaway speed. If the Tides can force Peninsula into bringing up their safeties for run support,  their receivers will be at an advantage down the field. Tides quarterback Koi Calhoun has nice touch on deep balls. Getting the ball to their receivers in space is a clear objective, but that is much easier if Geldermann and crew can pick up significant yards on the ground early.

Gig Harbor quarterback Koi Calhoun. Photo by Bryce Carithers

A third key for the Tides is to get all-conference kicker Boone Leverett into field goal range. This game could be more of a defensive battle than a wild, back-and-forth, high-scoring affair. The importance of a good kicker is magnified in high school, as they’re just simply hard to find. But if the Tides can get into Leverett’s range, which is anywhere past the opponents’ 30-yard line, he can do the rest. If the Tides can manage a touchdown in each half with a few field goals peppered in, they should be in a good position to earn a victory.

Intangibles

Both teams must navigate a few intangibles, as well.

With both teams playing in their first games of the year, watch for penalties. Remember these coaching staffs have had a short window of time to get 60 high school kids ready to play an intricate game with multiple moving parts. You couldn’t expect a new group from the philharmonic to sit down and play Beethoven perfectly the first night out, just as you can’t expect perfection in a first football game. But the team with the fewest mental mistakes will have an advantage.

Gig Harbor lineman Peyton Howard and coach Darrin Reeves. Photo by Bryce Carithers

The second intangible to consider will be the weather and how each team deals with it. The expected temperature in Tacoma at the 2 p.m. kickoff time will be 85 degrees, and artificial turf magnifies heat. According to Turfgrass Producers International, on an 85 degree day the air near the surface of artificial turf will be near 155 degrees. That’s compounded even more with a helmet and pads on.

Plus, many high school players play on both offense and defense. Whichever team is best hydrated, rested and ready for the extreme temperatures will have an advantage.

The third intangible is the emotional aspect of this game. Both programs desperately want a Fish Bowl win and a positive beginning to their season. A competitive football game is much like a ride on a roller coaster with tremendous highs and lows around every corner. Intensity, anxiety, excitement and frustration are all psychological factors that can help determine outcomes of games. The team that is able to compartmentalize their emotions, relax and play free will have the best chance to win.

The Peninsula offensive line in 2023. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Fans in the stands

That is also true for the spectators as keeping emotions in perspective is a key to the overall enjoyment of the game. Although the Fish Bowl has always been a competitive and intense rivalry it is important to remember that the game is filled with players, coaches and supporters who are good people with good intentions, who love our community. Bob Costas, the famous sports announcer, summed it up best by saying, “the best thing about sports is the sense of community and shared emotion it can create.” Costas’ words seem especially important now and are a good reminder for all to relax and enjoy a great Fish Bowl game and may the best team win.