Welcome to week 10! We’re officially into the postseason, where winners get to keep playing!
Again, I am joined by my colleagues: Eric Trent of the Lynden Tribune, Ryland Spencer of Cascadia Preps and local broadcaster Jeff Bearden.
I would like to thank Spencer Blackburn for being the guest picker this week! An extremely athletic linemen that graduated from Meridian in 2014, Blackburn exploded onto the scene as a two-way starting sophomore. He scored two defensive touchdowns that season. He would be named All-Conference 1st Team at BOTH offensive and defensive line in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Only John Raper from Mount Baker and Nick Scholten from Lynden Christian had accomplished that feat before, and it hasn’t been done since. His combination of power, size and overall athleticism allowed him to dominate the rest of the conference, and he was also named All-State 1st Team on both sides of the ball his senior season. If you were picking five linemen to form your all-time Whatcom County Team, it would be extremely hard to leave him off. His accolades landed him on the roster at Eastern Washington where he has been the starting center for the past few seasons. He has gained All-American honors with the Eagles.
Now… onto the week 10 previews.
SEHOME (7-2) AT LYNDEN (6-2)
Time: 4:30 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
When Sehome has the ball: Quarterback Jacob Kaepernick leads the entire county in passing, and he’ll need to be on his game against Lynden. There are some good ties here, with Sehome offensive coordinator Greg Terpstra a former member of the Lion coaching staff, and he brought over a lot of what Lynden likes to do on offense. The running game continues to improve for the Mariners, but running against Lynden is never easy. Linebackers Bodie Human and Jordan Elsner can really close a running lane quickly.
When Lynden has the ball: After a week off, it will be the age-old question of rest versus rust. If the Lions come out slowly, the Mariner defense will need to counter with a huge play. Steven DiLorenzo hasn’t played since the Sedro game, but he should be ready to go at Civic Stadium. Stopping the speedy senior won’t be easy, but you can bet Dawson Smith and Colin Dorsch will be on top of their game against the run.
Matchup to watch: Lynden senior defensive back Evan Potter versus Sehome wide receiver Melloy Nelson. A couple of tremendous athletes that are long-time friends that are facing each other for the first time on the football field.
FERNDALE (5-4) AT O’DEA (8-0)
Time: 5 PM Friday
Site: Seattle Memorial Stadium
When Ferndale has the ball: The Golden Eagles have relied upon the big play all season. Grinding yards against O’Dea will be extremely tough. Widely regarded as the top team in 3A, the Fighting Irish is extremely hard to score upon. Some trickery and mis-direction could pop a huge gain, and Ferndale will need to take advantage of that. Jacob Broselle and Ryan Pelton could be leaned upon heavily in this one.
When O’Dea has the ball: Pure and simple, the Ferndale defense will have to turn them over. Geirean Hatchett has always done a great job of forcing fumbles, and junior safety Andrew Monks leads the county with five interceptions. If they can each get a piece of the ball, it would go a long way.
Player to watch: Senior running back/corner back/kick returner Jacob Broselle. One wild card in this game could be in the special teams game. Broselle is a masterful kickoff returner, especially when he catches the ball deep and can view the entire field. His ability to cut and be at full speed on his next step is amazing, and he could really change the field position on some big returns.
CEDAR PARK CHRISTIAN (7-2) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (7-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Lynden Christian High School
When Cedar Park Christian has the ball: I’m assuming that CPC still runs the Wing-T offense, and LC has seen plenty of it over the years from Mount Baker. Assignment football will be key, and a lot will be decided based on how Will Faber and Davis Gatterman play at linebacker. I’m excited for the possible boost in the secondary with junior safety Jackson Apol returning after missing the entire season with a broken collarbone.
When Lynden Christian has the ball: The passing game has been lethal the past few weeks, but I feel that LC will get back to running the football in this one. Especially if the defense plays back, fearing the pass. The Lyncs have been very balanced in past weeks on who’s running the ball. Easton Stremler and Levi Korthuis will get their share, but then you throw in some fly sweeps by Jackson Corkill and some keepers from backup quarterback Logan Dykstra, and you’ll have a lot to watch out for.
Player to watch: Senior running back/outside linebacker Easton Stremler. A hard-nosed runner that would rather run through you than around you. This could be a huge game for him that could result in some scores. He’s also making key plays on defense lately.
SOUTH WHIDBEY (2-7) AT MOUNT BAKER (8-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Sedro Woolley High School
When South Whidbey has the ball: Defensive coordinator Tom Horsmon has his defense exactly where he wants it right now. Even late in the fourth quarter last week, with the game well in hand, I witnessed Coach Horsmon yelling out to his players on the field that the linebackers need to play a little bit deeper in pass coverage, because the Pioneers were doing well with passes over the middle of the field. And what do you know? Sophomore Davin Beason intercepted a pass over the middle on the very next play.
When Mount Baker has the ball: Coach Ron Lepper loves to run the ball. Not just to get first downs and touchdowns, but to prove a point up front, that his guys in the trenches will be there all day to dominate. The run game will be their, no doubt, but the passing game is becoming a bigger part of the offense as the season has wore on. Junior wide receiver Garrett Smith is a reliable target that is has the ability to break a tackle and go if covered one-on-one. Junior Ayden Rodriguez is about as dynamic as they come, and senior tight end Waylon Kentner provides a huge target over the middle.
Player to watch: Junior quarterback/corner back Mason Jacoby. His growth throughout the season has been tremendous, and he has seen some great defenses. His confidence level is pretty high, and he’s in complete control of the offense. Defensively, his instincts have led him to some fantastic plays, including multiple interceptions, strip fumbles turned into recoveries and a touchdown.
JUANITA (2-7) AT SQUALICUM (7-2)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
When Juanita has the ball: The Rebel offense hasn’t been too explosive, and it will be tough to get it going against the formidable Storm defense. Trying to break a run to the outside is near impossible with Djouvensky Schlenbaker and Bryson Lamb containing the edges, and running up the middle will be a chore with linebackers Billy Scammell and Garrett Jabbora ready to drive you to the ground.
When Squalicum has the ball: All eyes will be on Schlenbaker, as he is 175 rushing yards away from 2000 on the season. Play action could also really open up the passing game where Dedrick Mitchell catches everything thrown his way, and Bryce Pennock is one of the best deep threats in the county. Mason Binning’s accuracy, and quick thinking, have been on display this last month, as has the time his offensive line has given him in the pocket.
Player to watch: Senior left tackle/nose tackle Brandon Gimse. A fun loving guy with a big smile, but is all business between the lines. At 6-foot-5 and 327 pounds, it’s hard to miss #79, and his play on the field always makes it enjoyable for Storm fans.
NOOKSACK VALLEY (2-7) AT OAK HARBOR (2-7)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Oak Harbor High School
When Nooksack Valley has the ball: Although the Pioneer offense is wide open, and they spread the field, it’s been about the run game. Senior Dane Winter could become the first running back at Nooksack Valley to hit 1000 yards rushing in a season since Nick deGrasse rushed for 1125 yards in 2009, and he played in 14 games that season. Winter is special, and the offensive line has been pretty great this season, especially when they didn’t have a lot of linemen to choose from once the season started.
When Oak Harbor has the ball: The Wildcats like to spread it out, and throw often. That could play right into Nooksack’s hands. Defensive backs Scout Whittern and Cole Eldridge will have ample opportunities to make big plays, and the inside rush of Easton Zylstra and Alex Clawson could force errant throws. Also, you can expect senior Ryan Veening to knock a pass, or two, down during the game.
Player to watch: Senior quarterback/defensive back Keldon Weidkamp. The strong-armed senior will air it out in one last game, and he could put up big numbers with his receivers running on artificial turf. He has also played very well in the secondary for the Pioneers.
MERIDIAN (3-7) AT KING’S (4-5)
Time: 7 PM Saturday
Site: King’s High School
When Meridian has the ball: The Trojans are hot, coming off a 44-8 win at Granite Falls just a few days ago, and they are hungry for more. Senior quarterback Cameron Webster had great control of the offense on Tuesday, with 175 passing yards, 105 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Trent Martin, Ryan Johnson and Ethan Brooks have all played well, and the emergence of Ethan Silves has given Meridian a different look.
When King’s has the ball: The Trojans have given up their share of points this season, but the talent is there. Meridian likes to bring pressure up the middle, and can leave a defender unblocked at times, and sure-tackling will need to be paramount in that situation. Defensive end Joseph Plagerman has emerged as a top defensive player in the county, and Webster can really lay a lick from his strong safety spot.
Player to watch: Junior running back/linebacker Ethan Silves. While watching #9 on the game film the past few weeks, he has really stood out. He just looks like a Meridian player. Not the biggest guy out there, but he’s giving full effort on every play.
