2022 Week One – Football Picks and Game Previews

The 2022 prep football season is upon us, and that means it’s time to bring back the weekly Pick’ems! Ryland Spencer of Cascadia Preps is back, along with Connor Benintendi from the Lynden Tribune, and our old pal Eric Trent. We will also have a guest picker each week, and we thought it would only be fitting to have Jeff Bearden join us here in week one. Here are our picks for how we think week one will shape up, as well as our preview podcast where we discuss each game, give a weather report (thank you Randy Small) and we pick our fantasy football lineup!

SQUALICUM AT ORTING

Time: 6 PM Thursday

Site:  Orting Middle School

What to expect: There could be a lot of opening game jitters for this young Squalicum squad. A long road trip, but the returning veteran players will be ready for this. Look for linebackers Mason Myers and Deandre Dunmore to lead the Storm defense. Senior wide receiver Nick Watt could explode onto the season offensively after starring last season on one of the top defenses in the state.

Player to watch: Junior quarterback Josh Leonard. All eyes will be on the tall lefty as he leads a new group of Storm athletes on the field.

BLAINE AT PORT ANGELES

Time: 6 PM Friday

Site: Port Angeles High School

What to expect: It’s a very new group of Borderites, and you could see Coach Jay Dodd go back to basics. Look for a heavy run game with senior Larry Creasey and sophomore Colby Shipp. Senior Kael Evinger takes over at quarterback, and his athleticism alone will cause Port Angeles to take notice. Conner Dalry could be big-time difference maker off the edge for Blaine on defense.

Player to watch: Junior guard/defensive tackle Victor Gervol. You can expect the Borderites to run behind the big man, and he can be extremely disruptive in the opponents backfield when he’s on defense. He could demand double-team blocks all game, allowing his teammates to make big plays.

MOUNT BAKER AT SEHOME

Time: 7 PM Friday

Site: Civic Stadium

What to expect: A couple of Wing-T teams, this could be over by 8:30! The Mountaineers had a shaky jamboree, but you can expect that Coach Lepper will have them ready for this one. The Mariners will have a new-looking offense, but will remain with their strong 3-4 defense. Both teams will be sporting new quarterbacks, senior Landon Smith for Mount Baker, and freshman Nolan Wright for Sehome.

Matchup to watch: Sehome sophomore Andre Watson versus Mount Baker junior Landen Hanstead. This will be a two-way matchup on the outside. Watson is relentless when catching the football, and Hanstead has tremendous athletic ability. They will test each other all game, on both sides of the ball.

LYNDEN AT FERNDALE

Time: 7 PM Friday

Site: Blaine High School

What to expect: It could be the game of the year, and what a way to kick off the season! An intense rivalry. Both teams will likely make deep runs in their respective classifications. The Golden Eagles have won the last two meetings, with senior running back Isaiah Carlson having big games both times. If he plays, he will be the difference maker. Both lines are incredible, and the overall skill level on both teams are crazy good. Lynden senior Troy Petz, who had a huge game against Ferndale last season, could be the difference maker in the kicking game.

Matchup to watch: Lynden senior left tackle Dane Gatterman versus Ferndale senior defensive end Jake Mason. Now, this will be football! A couple of tremendous players that will be doing battle in the trenches. Mason has 20 career sacks, two of them against Lynden. Can he up his total?

MERIDIAN AT GRANITE FALLS

Time: 7 PM Friday

Site: Granite Falls High School

What to expect: Yes, the Trojans lost some major players from last year’s team. Yes, Granite Falls made the state playoffs last season. But, the Trojans just have the Tigers’ number. Let me just put it this way. In the last 10 meetings, Meridian has won all 10 meetings and has outscored Granite Falls 543-17. It’s the beginning of the Jaeger Fyfe era in Laurel, and his overall athletic ability will shine through in this opener.

Player to watch: Sophomore guard/linebacker Jaxson Hurlbut. Elected as a captain as just a sophomore, he has a very bright future. Look for his impact to be made early and often in this contest.

SEAQUAM SECONDARY (BC) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN

Time: 7 PM Friday

Site: Lynden Christian High School

What to expect: I can’t tell you anything about the Seahawks out of Seaquam, but I can tell you that the Lyncs will be more than ready for this one. LC has been riding high the last few years, with some deep runs in the playoffs. New coach Greg Terpstra has a lot of tools to work with, and learn his new offensive system. If his completely new offensive line gels together quickly, that will be a huge benefit in the Lyncs’ favor.

Player to watch: Senior wide receiver/cornerback Tyler Sipma. No matter where he is on the field, he makes plays. He can run past you, or jump over you. He’s a true athlete that stand out on the field in this one.

MOUNTAIN VIEW AT NOOKSACK VALLEY

Time: 7 PM Friday

Site: Sid Lambert Field

What to expect: This will be a huge challenge for the Pioneers, facing one of the strongest 3A schools in the state. But, I love Nooksack Valley’s attitude this season, wanting to play anybody, anytime. If they hang with the Thunder, it will really show a lot. If they beat them, the rest of the 1A teams should get worried. Joey Brown returns as the most athletic quarterback in the county, and his line has continued to get bigger and stronger. How quickly will the new linebackers (Daemion Perez, Skyler Whittern and Adlei Whitworth) learn on the fly? That could be the big question of this one.

Player to watch: Nooksack Valley center/defensive tackle Cian Coppinger. Unbelievable strength in the middle of the field. His play at the line of scrimmage will dictate how most of the game will go.

BELLINGHAM AT CLEVELAND

Time: 5 PM Saturday

Site: Southwest Athletic Complex at Chief Sealth High School

What to expect: This is a major mystery for me. I can’t tell you very much about Cleveland, and with the Bayhawks’ new coach Adam Leonard, I’m not sure what to expect in this week one matchup. I do know that Bellingham has some talented players, but it will all come down to how well they can execute the game plan. Senior Alex Wells will get the nod at quarterback, and he’s very athletic. He has no problem taking off and running, and he’s fine with delivering a little punishment when he does it.

Player to watch: Sophomore lineman Finnegan Jensen. Both strong and smart, he will be a fun one to watch over the next three seasons. His dominance could start right here in this game.