A Look Ahead

By Tim Clinton

High schools

Boys basketball

Todd Beamer plays in a tournament at Highline High School in Burien this Wednesday through Friday.

The Titans take on Washington of Parkland at 10 a.m. Wednesday to open with ensuing games depending on results.

Girls basketball

Decatur travels to Lynnwood for 7 p.m. Thursday action and goes to Silverdale to play Central Kitsap in a 2 p.m. Saturday game.

The Gators visit Rogers on Puyallup's South Hill at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Boys wrestling

Todd Beamer takes on Auburn-Riverside in a 9 a.m. Thursday match at the Showare Center in Kent and Federal Way participates in a tournament at Auburn High School that starts at 9 a.m. Friday.

Girls wrestling

Federal Way goes at it in the Rogers Holiday Tournament with a 9 a.m. Saturday start.

Pros

Seahawks

Seattle hopes to keep its hold on a NFC Wild Card berth when it hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 1:05 p.m. Sunday game at Lumen Field.

The action can be seen on Channel 13.

Kraken

Seattle visits the Calgary Flames for a 6:30 p.m. Wednesday game before coming home to the Climate Pledge Arena to face the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Kraken go outside Monday to take on the Las Vegas Golden Knights in a noon game at T-Mobile Park.

The Wednesday and Friday action will be carried on ROOT Sports Northwest with Monday's on TNT and truTV.

Thunderbirds

Seattle drops in on the Portland Winterhawks at 7 p.m. Thursday before entertaining the Everett Silvertips at 6:05 p.m. Saturday at the Showare Center in Kent 

Silvertips

After visiting Seattle Saturday the Silvertips come home to the Angel of the Winds Arena to battle Edmonton at 1:05 p m. Monday.

Colleges

Husky football

Washington is gearing up to take on Texas in the Sugar Bowl at 5:45 p.m. Monday in New Orleans.

The national semifinal playoff action will be televised on ESPN.

Husky men

Washington visits Colorado at 6 p.m. Friday on ESPNU and Utah at 3 p.m. Sunday on the Pac-12 network.

Cougar men

Washington State drops in on Utah at 5:30 p.m. Friday before visiting Colorado at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Both games will be broadcast on the Pac-12 network.

Sports wrap

By Tim Clinton

Boys basketball

Todd Beamer 77, Decatur 45

Todd Beamer's Titans trounced the Gators in a Friday crosstown game.

Federal Way 70, Mount Tahoma 53

The Eagles soared past Mount Tahoma in a non-league game Thursday.

Decatur 66, Highline 60

Decatur outgunned the Pirates this past Thursday.

Todd Beamer 80, Rogers 58

The Titans tacked on a non-league win Thursday.

Hazen 65, TJ 53

Thomas Jefferson also played a non-league game Thursday and fell to the Highlanders.

Todd Beamer 76, Kentlake 47

Todd Beamer started off its three win week before Christmas by beating the Falcons last Tuesday.

Tahoma 62, Federal Way 55

The Bears slipped past the Eagles Tuesday.

Kent-Meridian 69, TJ 55

The Raiders came up short against the Royals last Tuesday.

Kentwood 72, Decatur 45

Decatur was dealt a defeat by the Conquerors Tuesday.

Girls basketball

Decatur 68, Todd Beamer 10

The Gators got the best of the Titans this past Friday.

Cheney 53, Federal Way 29

Federal Way fell to the Spokane area school Friday.

Kelso 60, TJ 26

Visiting Kelso defeated the Raiders on Friday.

Kelso 59, Todd Beamer 19

Kelso also dropped in on the Titans Thursday and topped them.

West Valley 71, Federal Way 25

The Yakima school stopped the Eagles last Thursday.

Lynnwood 94, TJ 14

The Raiders' trip to Lynnwood did not pay good dividends Thursday.

Walla Walla 74, Federal Way 20

Walla Walla waltzed by the Eagles on Wednesday.

Decatur 52, Kentwood 47

The Gators won against the Conquerors last Tuesday.

Kentlake 58, Todd Beamer 22

Kentlake blew by Todd Beamer in a Tuesday game.

Kent-Meridian 61, TJ 24

Thomas Jefferson took a loss Tuesday to the Royals.

Boys wrestling

Decatur 48, Mt. Rainier 36

Decatur pinned a loss on the Rams of Des Moines last Wednesday.

Todd Beamer 44, TJ 32

The Titans topped Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday.

Tuputala awaits Sugar Bowl

Courtesy UW football.

Alphonzo Tuputala (11) and the University of Washington Huskies hope to snag a national title.

By Tim Clinton

Visions of a Sugar Bowl win dance in the heads of Federal Way graduate Alphonzo Tuputala and the University of Washington football team.

The Huskies carry a 13-0 overall record and No. 2 national ranking into the 5:45 p.m. New Year's Day clash with the No. 3 Texas Longhorns in New Orleans.

The winner advances to play whoever wins the No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama Rose Bowl matchup for the national championship at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8 in Houston.

"It's another good opportunity to play a team that has had a good season," Tuputala said of the Sugar Bowl against Texas.  "Just everybody doing our job and communication."

Tuputala has definitely been doing his job as a starting linebacker for the Dawgs.

The 6-foot, 2-inch and 240-pound senior now in his fifth season has gotten in on 59 tackles this year, amassing 33 solo tackles and 26 assists through the Pac-12 championship victory over Oregon.

He also more than did his job in lettering three seasons at Federal Way under head coach John Meagher, being named to the Associated Press Class 4A state first team at linebacker as a senior.

That was one of many awards he earned with the Eagles, but what he remembers most fondly in his high school career is the well-attended games against Todd Beamer. 

"Every Todd Beamer game was fun, particularly my sophomore year," Tuputala said.  "It was the true Friday Night Lights game I've been in."

Tuputala was considered the No. 9 recruit in the state overall coming out of high school.

"I got offers from a lot of small schools," he said.  "But once I got an offer from the UW it was a no brainer."

Now the Huskies are in the national playoffs in their second year under head coach Kalen DeBoer, this season's Associated Press Coach of the Year.

"Coach DeBoer is doing a good job coming in here with the culture," Tuputala said.

Tuputala is enjoying the opportunity to play for the national title.

"It's all on us at the end of the day," he said.  "It's us doing our job.  Hopefully God is on our side.  Just do our job and let Him decide."

A Look Ahead

By Tim Clinton

High schools

Boys basketball

Thomas Jefferson hosts Hazen's Highlanders for 7 p.m. Thursday action as Federal Way gets a visit from Mount Tahoma.

Decatur travels to Highline at the same time and Todd Beamer is on the road at Rogers.

Federal Way visits Silas of Tacoma next Tuesday and Todd Beamer goes to Highline for a three-day tournament starting Wednesday.

Girls basketball

Todd Beamer entertains Kelso at 7 p.m. Thursday as Thomas Jefferson visits Lynnwood and Federal Way travels all the way to Wenatchee.

TJ plays a 7 p.m. Friday home game against Kelso and Federal Way is at Cheney.

Boys wrestling

Todd Beamer pays a 6 p.m. Thursday visit to Edmonds-Woodway.

Pros

Seahawks

Seattle rose up to deal the Philadelphia Eagles a stunning 20-17 defeat Monday night.

Next up for the Seahawks is a 10 a.m. Sunday game in Tennessee against the Titans that can be seen on Channel 13.

Kraken

Seattle drops in on the Anaheim Ducks for a 5 p.m. Saturday game before visiting the Calgary Flames at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday.

Both games will be televised on ROOT Sports Northwest.

Colleges

Husky men

Washington entertains Eastern Washington for 6 p.m. Thursday action on Pac-12WA.

Cougar men

Washington State plays Boise State in an 8 p.m. Thursday game in Spokane.

The clash will be carried on the Pac-12 network.

Sports wrap

By Tim Clinton

Boys basketball

Todd Beamer 81, Kent-Meridian 37

The Titans only played one game this past week but made the most of it, routing the Royals on Thursday.

Federal Way 56, Kentwood 49

Federal Way clobbered the Conquerors last Thursday.

Kentridge 68, Decatur 65

Decatur was edged Thursday by the Chargers.

Federal Way 60, Kentridge 55

The Eagles outlasted Kentridge in last Monday's actíon.

Kennedy 72, Decatur 42

Kennedy Catholic crushed the Gators Monday.

Auburn 87, TJ 38

Thomas Jefferson was felled by the Trojans last Monday.

Girls basketball

Bonney Lake 58, Decatur 21

Decatur fell short in Saturday's non-league contest.

Kentridge 61, Decatur 47

The Gators lost Thursday to the Chargers.

Kent-Meridian 37, Todd Beamer 26

Todd Beamer was beaten by the Royals last Thursday.

Kentwood 66, Federal Way 29

Kentwood shot down the Eagles in Thursday's game.

Decatur 47, Kennedy 45

The Gators won a squeaker last Monday.

Kentridge 70, Federal Way 26

Kentridge trampled the Eagles in Monday's action.

Auburn 94, TJ 17

The Trojans trounced the Raiders on Monday.

Wrestling

Federal Way 44, Mt. Rainier 30

Federal Way outscored Mount Rainier in Wednesday's boys match.

Auburn 42, Todd Beamer 36

Auburn slipped past the Titans last Wednesday.

Auburn Mountainview 51, TJ 21

Thomas Jefferson was pinned with a loss Wednesday.

Boys swimming

Kentridge 118, Decatur 58

Kentridge splashed to a Thursday win over the Gators.

Federal Way 85, Auburn Mountainview 73

Federal Way was a winner last Tuesday.

TJ 98, Todd Beamer 77

Thomas Jefferson topped the Titans Tuesday.

Keeping Track

By Tim Clinton

Locke rakes in records

Todd Beamer graduate Brandon Locke broke two career records as the goalie for the Western Washington University men's soccer team.

Locke set the school record with his 0.82 goals against average and with his .787 save percentage.

Locke was a co-captain for the Vikings in his senior season this fall, starting and playing in every minute of their 18 games.

He earned second team honors for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and also earned All-West Region third team honors.

Locke recorded six shutouts this year and amassed 17 for his career.

Tuputala tallies 59 tackles

Federal Way graduate Alphonzo Tuputala racked up 33 solo tackles and assisted on 26 others for a total of 59, helping the University of Washington football team to a 13-0 overall record through its Pac-12 championship victory over Oregon.

Tuputala is a junior linebacker for the Huskies, standing at 6-foot, 2 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds.  He wears jersey No. 11.

He recorded seven tackles in the championship win against the Ducks and had six tackles and one sack in the UW's win over Washington State.

Tuputala had four tackles and one interception in their earlier victory over Utah.

Tuputala returned the interception 76 yards before losing the football one yard from the end zone, but his efforts set up a key safety for Washington in the win.

Tuputala was a preseason Pac-12 first team selection.

Next up for Tuputala and the Huskies is their New Year's Day date with the Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl.

The 5:45 p.m. game on ESPN in New Orleans will double as an NCAA national playoff semifinal.

Please leave a comment if you have any information for Keeping Track.

A Look Ahead

By Tim Clinton

High schools

Boys basketball

Todd Beamer hosts Kent-Meridian for 7 p.m. Thursday action as Decatur entertains Kentridge and Federal Way travels to Kentwood.

Thomas Jefferson plays a 7 p.m. Tuesday home game against Kent-Meridian as Todd Beamer goes to Kentlake, Decatur to Kentwood and Federal Way to Tahoma.

Girls basketball

Federal Way gets a 7 p.m. Thursday visit from Tahoma as Decatur travels to Kentridge and Todd Beamer to Kent-Meridian.

Tuesday's schedule has Kentwood at Decatur, Kentlake at Todd Beamer and Thomas Jefferson at Kent-Meridian.

Wrestling

Decatur and Todd Beamer take part in the Rogers Holiday Tournament at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on Puyallup's South Hill.

Todd Beamer hosts Thomas Jefferson at 6 p.m. next Wednesday as Decatur entertains Mount Rainier.

Gymnastics

Decatur plays host to Todd Beamer and Auburn Mountainview at 7 p.m. next Wednesday as Thomas Jefferson entertains Kennedy Catholic and Federal Way goes down the hill to Auburn.

Boys swimming

Thomas Jefferson and Todd Beamer compete in a 3 p.m. Thursday meet at the King County Aquatic Center and Decatur will be there at the same time hosting Kentridge.

Girls bowling

Decatur entertains Thomas Jefferson for 3 p.m. Thursday action as Federal Way hosts Kennedy Catholic.

Pros

Seahawks

Seattle gets to play on Monday Night Football for its next game, hosting the Philadelphia Eagles for 5:15 p.m. action at Lumen Field.

Channel 4 and ESPN will televise it live.

Kraken

The Chicago Blackhawks come to Climate Pledge Arena to play Seattle at 7 p.m. Thursday and the Los Angeles Kings fly in for action at the same time Saturday.

The Kraken visit Dallas at 5 p.m. Monday.

All three games will be broadcast on ROOT Sports Northwest.

Thunderbirds

Seattle hosts Vancouver for a 7:05 p.m. Friday game at the Showare Center in Kent before visiting Everett at 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

Silvertips

Everett entertains Seattle at 6:05 p.m. Saturday at the Angel of the Winds Arena.

Stars

Tacoma hosts the Baltimore Blast for a 5:05 p.m. Sunday indoor soccer match at the Showare Center in Kent.

Colleges

Husky men

Washington meets Seattle University for 5 p.m. Sunday basketball action at the Climate Pledge Arena.

The game will be carried on ESPN+.

Husky women

The UW gets a 1 p.m. Saturday visit from Saint Mary's on Pac-12WA.

Washington visits Louisville at 4 p.m. next Wednesday.

Cougar men

Washington State travels to Phoenix for an 11 a.m. Saturday game against Santa Clara on the Pac-12 network.

Cougar women

Houston comes to the Palouse for 2 p.m. Sunday action on Pac-12WA.

The Cougars visit Auburn at noon next Wednesday.

Sports wrap

By Tim Clinton

Boys basketball

Federal Way 95, Decatur 68

Federal Way's Eagles flew past the Gators in a crosstown showdown Friday.

Auburn 60, Todd Beamer 48

The Titans were tripped up by the Trojans in Friday action.

Auburn Mountainview 62, TJ 33

Thomas Jefferson took a defeat Friday.

Woodinville 61, TJ 19

A trip to Woodinville did not have good results for the Raiders Thursday.

Todd Beamer 44, Federal Way 36

Todd Beamer posted a victory against Federal Way in a Tuesday game.

Decatur 63, TJ 58

The Gators were winners in the TJ gymnasium Tuesday.

Girls basketball

Decatur 58, Federal Way 22

Decatur dealt the Eagles a loss Friday.

Auburn 58, Todd Beamer 5

Todd Beamer took a loss to the Trojans this past Friday.

Auburn Mountainview 54, TJ 31

The Lions roared past the Raiders Friday.

Tahoma 68, Federal Way 21

Tahoma topped the Eagles on Wednesday.

Federal Way 52, Todd Beamer 13

Federal Way was a winner against the Titans Tuesday.

Decatur 63, TJ 28

Tuesday's game belonged to the Gators.

Boys wrestling

Decatur 68, TJ 6

Decatur pinned TJ with a decisive loss Wednesday.

Todd Beamer 51, Auburn-Riverside 30

Todd Beamer came away with a victory Wednesday.

Kentridge 45, Federal Way 30

The Chargers trampled the Eagles in Wednesday action.

Boys swimming

TJ 101, Auburn Mountainview 36

Thomas Jefferson splashed to a victory Thursday.

Fife 116, Decatur 60

Decatur was dunked in a Thursday non-league meet.

Girls bowling

Decatur 5, Highline 0

Decatur sailed past the Pirates this past Tuesday.

A Look Ahead

By Tim Clinton

High schools

Boys basketball

Thomas Jefferson travels to Woodinville for 7:30 p.m. Thursday action before dropping in on Auburn Mountainview at 7 p.m. Friday.

Federal Way hosts Decatur at 7 p.m. Friday as Todd Beamer entertains Auburn.

TJ will be at home taking on Auburn at 7 p.m. Monday as Federal Way plays host to Kentridge and Decatur goes to Kennedy Catholic.

Girls basketball

Decatur hosts Federal Way for 7 p.m. Friday play as Thomas Jefferson entertains Auburn Mountainview and Todd Beamer travels to Auburn.

Decatur gets a 7 p.m. Monday visit from the Kennedy Catholic team as TJ goes to Auburn and Federal Way to Kentridge.

Wrestling

Thomas Jefferson entertains Auburn Mountainview for a 6 p.m. match next Wednesday as Decatur hosts Kennedy Catholic, Todd Beamer goes to Auburn and Federal Way to Mount Rainier.

Gymnastics

Federal Way hosts Decatur and Kentlake at 7 p.m. next Wednesday as Todd Beamer travels to Auburn-Riverside.

Boys swimming

Thomas Jefferson gets a 3 p.m. Thursday visit from Auburn Mountainview at the King County Aquatic Center as Federal Way goes to the Foster pool in Tukwila to take on Kennedy Catholic.

Girls bowling

Secoma Lanes is hosting three competitions at once at 3 p.m. Thursday with Thomas Jefferson taking on Todd Beamer, Decatur entertaining Evergreen and Federal Way hosting Highline.

Pros

Seahawks

Seattle journeys south to San Francisco to battle the 49ers in a 1:05 p.m. Sunday game that can be seen on Channel 13.

Kraken

Seattle comes home to the Climate Pledge Arena to face New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Tampa Bay at 7 p.m. Saturday, Minnesota at 6 p.m. Sunday and Florida at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

ESPN will televise Thursday's action with the rest on ROOT Sports Northwest.

Thunderbirds

Seattle entertains the Tri-City Americans at 7:05 p.m. Friday at the Showare Center in Kent before visiting the Portland Winterhawks at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Silvertips

Everett hosts Vancouver at 7:05 p.m. Friday at the Angel of the Winds Arena and visits the same team at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Stars

Tacoma's indoor soccer team plays its home opener at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at the Showare Center in Kent against the San Diego Sockers.

Colleges

Husky men

Gonzaga visits Washington for an 8 p.m. Saturday game that will be carried on ESPN2.

Cougar men

Washington State hosts Gambling for a 5 p.m. Sunday game seen on the Pac-12 network.

Husky vs. Cougar women

Washington travels to Pullman to take on Washington State in a 1 p.m. Sunday game on Pac-12WA.

Sports wrap

By Tim Clinton

Boys basketball

Lincoln 67, Federal Way 64

Federal Way lost a close one to the Abes in a game played Saturday at Fife High School.

Todd Beamer 87, Decatur 65

Todd Beamer flattened the Gators Friday.

Gig Harbor 67, TJ 38

The Tides turned against the Raiders on Wednesday.

Todd Beamer 60, Graham -Kapowsin 55

The Titans got their season started on the right foot last Tuesday.

Girls basketball

Lincoln 59, Decatur 29

Lincoln of Tacoma handled the Gators Saturday.

Decatur 57, Todd Beamer 12

Decatur dealt the Titans a lopsided loss Friday.

TJ 42, Federal Way 39

Thomas Jefferson triumphed over the Eagles on Friday.

Foster 50, TJ 47

The Bulldogs of Tukwila edged the Raiders in a Wednesday game.

Eastside Catholic 61, Todd Beamer 5

Todd Beamer lost decisively Wednesday.

TJ 37, Highline 20

The Raiders sank the Pirates in last Tuesday's opener.