Welcome to week eight! Isn’t this great? A lot on my plate, but allow me to elaborate…
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 Kyler Randall for being the guest picker this week! As a 2000 graduate of Ferndale, Randall was one of those most overall impressive athletes that Whatcom County saw in the decade of the 90’s. As a sophomore he quarterbacked the Golden Eagles to their first ever state championship game, but they lost in heart-breaker to Lakes, 21-17. He led Ferndale back to the state playoffs in his junior and senior seasons. As a dual threat, he became the first player in Whatcom County history to throw for over 1500 yards and rush for over 2000 yards in a career. He was named All-League 1st Team as a senior, and All-League 2nd Team in both his junior and sophomore seasons. He was a dominant defensive back that was named All-League 1st Team twice, and was an All-State 1st Team selection his senior season. To top it all off, he returned one kickoff and three punts for touchdowns over his career. What does an athletic Wing-T quarterback do after high school? Well, Randall went to Eastern Washington University to play wide receiver, and all he did was become the school’s all-time leading receiver. I’ll also never forget covering the annual high school basketball all-star game his senior year, and he was competing in the slam dunk contest. He’s 5’10”. Vince Carter had just blown everyone’s mind a month prior in the NBA Slam Dunk contest, with one of his dunks being a one-hander that saw Carter put his entire arm in the basket, and hang on the rim by his elbow. I then witnessed Randall doing the exact same dunk. What an athlete.
Now… onto the week eight previews.
NOOKSACK VALLEY (2-5) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (5-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Lynden Christian High School
When Nooksack Valley has the ball: Since moving Keldon Weidkamp to quarterback, it has allowed Cole Eldridge to be a weapon all over the field. He could be in the backfield, in the slot, lined up wide, or even take snaps from time to time. The Lyncs will have to prepare for everything. Running back Dane Winter is averaging nearly 10 yards per run, and has broken off many long touchdown runs. The LC defense is suffocating, and it shut out the Pioneers in their last contest. Zach Sipma’s dominance, along with the emergence of Grant Vander Velden, has the defensive line running on all cylinders.
When Lynden Christian has the ball: A terrific blend of run and pass, the Lyncs will always keep you thinking. Running back Easton Stremler can pound it up the middle, and Levi Korthuis produces a different running style that can allow him to break away. Wide receivers Jackson Corkill and Tanner Feenstra continue to move up the charts for school receiving records, and the offensive line has improved greatly since day one. Defensive tackle Easton Zylstra is tough to handle in the middle, and could get double teamed. This could allow linebackers Levi DeWeber and Braden Leyba to run free and make plays.
Matchup to watch: Nooksack Valley junior offensive tackle Liam Coppinger versus Lynden Christian junior defensive end Grant Vander Velden. The Lync junior will need to use quick hands against Coppinger, who is extremely strong. Also exciting is that these two will face each other twice more next season.
MOUNT BAKER (6-1) AT MERIDIAN (2-5)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Trojans Field
When Mount Baker has the ball: The desire to regroup after last week’s loss will be easy to obtain, especially against its rival Trojans. I wouldn’t expect the Mountaineers to deviate too far from the plan after a loss, as they will continue to pound the ball between the tackles. The defensive line of Meridian is strong, especially with Mason Knutson and Trent Gookstetter at defensive tackle. Staying ahead of the chains will be key for the Baker offense.
When Meridian has the ball: Finding creative ways to move the ball down the field won’t be difficult to accomplish, but executing the game plan could be tough against the rugged Mountie defense. The Baker defensive line is on the smaller side, but extremely quick. The Trojans could try to use a power run game from time to time, but also look for quarterback Cameron Webster to look downfield for Ryan Johnson and Ethan Brooks.
Matchup to watch: Mount Baker guard Davin Beason versus Meridian defensive tackle Trent Gookstetter. For a sophomore that has always played running back, Beason makes quite the formidable offensive lineman. He’ll need to be, to stop Gookstetter’s raw ability to make plays in the opposing backfield.
BLAINE (1-6) AT LYNDEN (5-2)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Rollie DeKoster Field
When Blaine has the ball: The Borderites will want to pound the ball, as evident of last week’s 39 carry – 220 yard performance by senior running back Oscar Caridad. However, if quarterback Will McKinney notices soft coverage on the outside, he will have no trouble completing passes on short hitch patterns to Zane Rector. Once that is stopped, he might throw it deep for Jaxon Kortlever, who’s leaping ability and hands rank extremely high around the county. The Lion defense has seen it all this year, and the well-roundedness of the entire unit will make it extremely hard to pick up first downs against.
When Lynden has the ball: The run game has been strong all season, and why not use the speed of Steven DiLorenzo, the power of Brock Heppner and the size of that offensive line? But, the passing game keeps improving from week to week, and I could see quarterback Baylor Ayres putting the ball in the air early and often. Keeping Wyatt Cole out of the backfield will be the main focus, and I can only imagine how many times Gavino Rodriguez and DiLorenzo will collide in the middle of the field.
Matchup to watch: Blaine senior wide receiver Zane Rector versus Lynden junior cornerback Caleb Wheeler. Rector is a master at running the hitch route, and making the catch. However, Wheeler has great speed, and technique, and he will have plenty of opportunities to break up passes.
STANWOOD (2-5) AT FERNDALE (3-4)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Ferndale High School
When Stanwood has the ball: The Spartans moved the ball decently against Squalicum last week, but struggled to get the ball into the end zone. The Golden Eagle defense has great speed, and I feel that the matchup really goes towards Ferndale’s favor. Junior safety Andrew Monks leads the entire county with five interceptions, and the pressure that the front four can put on the quarterback will only make the game easier for the secondary.
When Ferndale has the ball: You can plan on seeing a lot of run plays in downtown Ferndale tonight, and why not with those backs and that line. The growth of freshman running back Isaiah Carlson is evident each week, and I absolutely love the way Jacob Broselle can beat you with speed or power.
Player to watch: Senior defensive tackle Tyler Demorest. Such a steady player all season, and he really stood out last week against the powerful Tomahawks with 2.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
OAK HARBOR (1-6) AT SQUALICUM (5-2)
Time: 6:00 PM Saturday
Site: Civic Stadium
When Oak Harbor has the ball: It was a thrilling game last season, but I have a feeling it won’t be as close on Saturday. The Wildcat offense has completely changed to more of a passing attack, and the Storm defense is very adapt at getting after the quarterback. Linebacker Bryson Lamb and defensive lineman Cesar Vazquez have combined for nine sacks, and that number should reach double digits quickly. Strong safety Elliott Aslan is on a roll at the moment, and has picked off four passes this season.
When Squalicum has the ball: Running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker’s 1442 yards rushing is the most in Whatcom County history by a sophomore, and he’ll get his chance to add to that total. Quarterback Mason Binning’s confidence has grown throughout the season, and Dedrick Mitchell’s presence has really helped. Junior speedster Bryce Pennock has proven to be a great deep threat, and the protection of 327-pound left tackle Brandon Gimse has been spectacular.
Player to watch: Sophomore guard and outside linebacker Bryson Lamb. His energetic play jumps off the screen while watching film. Be ready to watch him pull on offense, but pull the quarterback to the turf on defense.
