Spring soccer is heating up in the Greater Spokane League, and the District 6 playoffs are set to kick off Thursday with teams from across the city and region battling for coveted spots in the state tournaments. Here's your guide to the brackets and what to watch for as the action unfolds.
In the 4A classification, where three teams will advance to state, the Mid-Columbia Conference champion Chiawana Riverhawks (14-1-1) enter as the top seed, boasting the state's highest RPI rating. They'll host ninth-seeded Ferris (10-4-0) on Thursday—Ferris earned their spot by defeating eighth-seeded Kamiakin 6-3 in a play-in thriller. The winner moves on to face either fourth-seeded Gonzaga Prep (8-1-3) or fifth-seeded Richland (13-2-0), who square off in another Thursday showdown. On the other side of the bracket, GSL champion and second-seeded Lewis and Clark (11-3-0, No. 10 RPI) welcomes seventh-seeded Hanford (7-8-0), while third-seeded Pasco (11-6) takes on sixth-seeded Mead (7-5-2). Semifinals are set for Saturday, with the championship and third-place games scheduled for May 15.
Over in the 3A division, top-seeded Ridgeline (7-2-3) will host play-in winner North Central (11-6-2), while fourth-seeded Hermiston (6-8-0) faces fifth-seeded Mt. Spokane (7-6-1). On the opposite side, second-seeded Walla Walla (10-6-0) takes on seventh-seeded Central Valley (4-8-1), and third-seeded University (5-8-1) battles sixth-seeded Kennewick (7-7-0). Semifinals are also Saturday, with the finals and third-place match on May 15.
In the 2A bracket, first-round action kicks off Friday as third-seeded East Valley (7-6-3) hosts sixth-seeded Deer Park (2-12-1), and fourth-seeded Clarkston (7-7-1) faces fifth-seeded Rogers (3-10-3). League champion and top-seeded Pullman (11-2-2) will await the Clarkston-Rogers winner, while second-seeded West Valley (7-7-2) hosts the other semifinal—both games are on Tuesday.
Finally, in the 1A district semifinals Thursday, top-seeded Northwest Christian (11-3-0) takes on fourth-seeded Colville (7-7-0), while second-seeded Lakeside (9-3-2) meets third-seeded Medical Lake (7-8-1). The district title game is set for Tuesday, with the second-place game following on May 14.
With every match carrying high stakes and state tournament berths on the line, expect plenty of intensity on the pitch. Which teams will rise to the occasion? Stay tuned for all the action.