Their quarterfinal game on Saturday will be the fourth meeting in the past two seasons between the Irish and Cougars.
Talk about familiar foes.
When No. 3 O’Dea (11-0) takes on unranked Capital (9-3) of Olympia in the Class 3A football quarterfinals on Saturday, it will be the fourth meeting between the schools in the past two seasons.
Capital beat O’Dea twice last year — to start and end the season. The first was a nonleague contest and the second a quarterfinal matchup.
The Irish hope to return the favor. They won the season opener at Capital, 28-14, and now go for the sweep. The Cougars lost to 4A Olympia and second-ranked Lakes before winning six straight to get to the quarterfinals.
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O’Dea and Capital meet again at 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Seattle.
“We’re both a lot different teams than we were in Week 1,” O’Dea coach Monte Kohler said.
That game, he said, was closer than the score indicates. The Cougars were driving for a potential tying score before Johntye Jackson returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown.
“Our kids are well aware we were lucky to get out of there with a win,” Kohler said.
He said turnovers and field position will be keys.
The Irish hope to return to the semifinals for the first time since 2007, when they went on to lose the championship game to Skyline.