Casey Finley's fate had a big influence on the last Inchelium-Touchet playoff game.
For a different reason, Finley may greatly determine the latest playoff installment between Inchelium and Touchet. Finley, a 1,000 yard rusher for Inchelium last year, missed most of the season when he broke his right hand in three places.
Inchelium co-coach Duane Gatlin said he expects Finley to return to the lineup with the Hornets (6-2) play Touchet (8-1) at Kennewick Saturday.
The Associated Press ranks Touchet No. 3 and Inchelium No. 4 among B-8 teams.
Touchet beat Inchelium 40-0 in last year's semifinal. Finley missed the game after dislocating his elbow during a quarterfinal win over St. John-Endicott.
If Finley plays he'll take some load off Galen Desautel, a fellow senior. Desautel rushed for 1,426 yards and led the defense in tackles.
"He's our workhorse, there's no doubt about it," Gatlin said. "He has no problem carrying the ball 25-30 times a game."
Inchelium's other Finley, senior quarterback J.D., is done for the year after recent knee surgery. The severity of Finley's injury wasn't apparent until late in the season.
Junior Jesse Schumacher, 45 pounds heavier than Finley, shifted from running back and filled in admirably at QB. Schumacher won two games with last-second touchdown passes to Rich Whitney.
Inchelium's downfall has been numbers. The Hornets played three games with 13 players or less. Gatlin expects 18 to suit up Saturday.
Touchet graduated many of the skill-position players who won the state title two years ago and finished second last year. Senior Jake Bussell shifted from end to QB and threw for 1,000 yards.
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