It’s week three, and there are some great games this weekend! I was able to sneak up and get into a first-place tie with Eric Trent, but we’ll see what happens after this week… We’d like to thank Laura Slyman for being our guest picker this week, and you can learn more about her in our podcast below! Also, below are the previews for all nine games this weekend.
GRANITE FALLS (0-2) AT BELLINGHAM (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Thursday
Site: Civic Stadium Stadium
What to expect: The Bayhawks are on a roll, and they are also 2-0 for the first time since 2016. Coach Leonard has them rolling, and believing that they can win. Quick, accurate passes have been working for Bellingham, as they Bayhawk quarterbacks have combined to complete over 81% of their passes, the highest in Whatcom County. Senior wide receiver Lucas Cousens is usually the recipient, and has caught three touchdown passes this season, which is also leading the county.
Player to watch: Senior offensive tackle/defensive end Jacob White. He was able to get three quarterback sacks last year, and I could see him breaking past that in this, his senior season. A great player that is relentless on the field.
Historical significance: This will be the fifth meeting between the two teams, which each team winning twice so far. They did play last season, with the Tigers pulling out a convincing 46-6 win.
Moving up the record book: The Bellingham school record for rushing yards in a season by a sophomore is 431 yards by Adam Zeiger in 1995. Right now, Tyler Frost is at 123 yards after two games. Which means, he is projected to finish with 615 yards. The future is bright for that young man.
MOUNT BAKER (1-1) AT TOPPENISH (1-1)
Time: 6 PM Friday
Site: Toppenish High School
What to expect: This could be a really high scoring game. The Wildcats can put up a lot of points, and very quickly. Their quarterback is the school’s all-time leading passer, but you can bet that the Mountaineers will be more than ready. There will be a revenge factor after last year’s meeting between these two teams in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs. The run game exploded for Mount Baker last week, and there were some really nice things to enjoy about their passing game last week.
Player to watch: Senior quarterback/strong safety Landon Smith. His touchdown pass last week had everything, arm strength, accuracy and a tremendous catch by Landen Hanstead on the other side. Smith is a fun player to watch, especially on defense when he’s coming on a safety blitz.
Historical significance: This is just the second time these two teams have ever played each other, and if you’re reading this, you probably remember the first game very well. It was a 26-22 win by Toppenish in the state playoffs last season. Toppenish is coached by 1989 Mount Baker graduate, Jason Smith.
Moving up the record book: Senior running back Marcques George had a huge game last week, rushing for 175 yards. On the school’s all-time rushing list, he is now within 100 yards of Brian Gardner, Wes Carson, Michael Millson and Jacob Prince, who once ran for 422 yards in one game to establish a state record in 1997.
SEHOME (2-0) AT SEDRO-WOOLLEY (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Sedro-Woolley High School
What to expect: This could be the closest game of the weekend. I could see senior running back Tommy Funk having a huge day. He may have circled this game on the calendar, knowing that the last time he was there, an injury took away the rest of his season. Do kids even use calendars, or just their phones? Anyway, these are two very good teams, that could have the potential to be great. A perfect early test for the Mariners. A win here will open up a lot of eyes around the state.
Player to watch: Junior wide receiver/safety Braddock Duckworth. The mismatch of all mismatches. Already blessed with a 6-foot-6 frame, he also has all the tools to make the big play, which he did last week with two long touchdown receptions.
Historical significance: Not surprisingly, these two teams have played each other a lot. 30 times since 1974. But, the Cubs have really owned the series as of late, winning the last six matchups. In fact, the last time the Mariners beat Sedro was in 2004, when Herbie Parks ran for 177 yards and a touchdown.
Moving up the record book: Currently, quarterback Nolan Wright has thrown for 323 yards on the young season. Only three freshman in Whatcom County history have passed for more yards in a season, Clark Hazlett (721), Nathan Kramme (549) and Azubo Bearden (542).
LYNDEN (2-0) AT SQUALICUM (1-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: The third straight road game to start the season for the Lions, but Civic Stadium usually turns into a second home for Lynden in November. Squalicum made too many mistakes last week against Fife, and will need to play error free in this one. Lynden’s offense and Squalicum’s defense will make a great matchup, the real trick will be how well can the Storm offense move the ball on the stingy Lion defense. Both have great kickers, with Troy Petz and Kai Sonnon.
Matchup to watch: Squalicum senior wide receiver Jacob Sorenson versus Lynden senior safety Collin Anker. Sorenson is the county’s leading receiver, with a lot of his damage right in the middle of the field. Anker is an amazing safety, that has been patrolling the back half of the Lion defense for three seasons. I’m really excited about this matchup!
Historical significance: Even though the last two games have been close, with the Lions winning each of them by just three points, Lynden has dominated this matchup overall. This will be the 23rd clash between these two programs, and Squalicum has won just two of them.
Moving up the record book: Lynden senior kicker Troy Petz has hit a field goal in each of the two games this season, giving him eight in his career. That ties him for fifth all-time in school history with Alex Otano-Guenther and Per Wolfisberg. Sorenson has caught eight passes this season, which puts him on pace for 36 in the regular season. That would be good for the eighth highest in school history for receptions in a season.
MERIDIAN (1-1) AT KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (2-0)
Time: 6 PM Friday
Site: King’s Way Christian School
What to expect: I think the Trojans are angry about how they played last week. It’s hard to win when you turn the ball over six times, and they could really take it out on the Knights. The Trojans have a multitude of playmakers, and Coach Patrick Ames will always be able to find creative ways to get all of them the ball. Meridian has broken up 10 passes on the season, more than any other team in Whatcom County, and the long bus ride might be exactly what this young team needs to gel together.
Player to watch: Senior tight end/defensive end Amrit Nagra. He really got after it last week, with multiple stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also has shown a great ability to catch the ball, from week one. This game is a good one for him to combine both talents.
Historical significance: This is the first meeting between the two schools.
Moving up the record book: Junior running back Joshtyn Elmer is currently 55th on the school’s all-time leading rusher. If he gets 100 yards rushing on Friday, he will pass us some great players, including Max McGuinn, Shawn Scott, Jeff Bennum, Trent Martin, Bryce Garcia and Colin Morris.
BLAINE (0-2) AT VASHON ISLAND (2-0)
Time: 6 PM Friday
Site: Vashon Island High School
What to expect: The second time in three games that the Borderites get on a ferry to play a football game. But, after this, every regular season game will be in Whatcom County for Blaine. Yes, the Pirates come into this contest with an unblemished record, but the opposition hasn’t been tremendous, so they are a little untested. Blaine got roughed up last week, but this will be a great matchup. The Borderites have been opportunistic on defense, forcing three turnovers so far this season.
Player to watch: senior running back/linebacker Larry Creasey. I feel like this will be a huge breakout game for Creasey. He can really rack up the yards in big chunks, with both speed and power.
Historical significance: This is just the third time these two teams have ever met, with the teams splitting the first two. In both those prior games, current coach Jay Dodd started on both sides of the line.
Moving up the record book: Although Creasey rushed for just 17 yards last week, he moved past Brad Wolten into 33rd place on the school’s all-time rushing list.
KING’S (2-0) AT NOOKSACK VALLEY (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Sid Lambert Field
What to expect: Perhaps the best matchup of the weekend, with multiple prep sports outlets having both of these teams in the Top 10 of the 1A classification. The Knights made it to the semi-finals last season, and are very good once again. The Pioneers have done a fantastic job at controlling the clock, but hitting the big play when needed. Sophomore Colton Lentz is the leading rusher in Whatcom County so far this season, and Jackson Bennett has proved to be a big-play machine on the outside.
Player to watch: Junior guard/defensive end John Stremler. This is his chance to show how great he is, against great competition. Big-time players play their best in big-time moments, and I have a feeling that Stremler is going to make the biggest play of the game.
Historical significance: These two teams have played each other nine times, with the Pioneers winning six of them. However, King’s did get the best of Nooksack Valley last season when these two teams faced off.
Moving up the record book: Only one player in Nooksack Valley history has rushed for 1,000 yards in a season as a sophomore, and that was Dave Longoria. Lentz is currently at 245 after two games. This will be fun to track. Also, he’s just 54 yards away from the amount of rushing yards his dad Britt ran for as a sophomore.
FERNDALE (1-1) AT GLACIER PEAK (2-0)
Time: 2:20 PM Saturday
Site: Lumen Field
What to expect: Two great teams, and it will be interesting to see how these two teams are affected by the big stadium. Both teams have a handful of players that will be playing in big stadiums in the near future, so it might be too noticeable. The Golden Eagles have the most rushing touchdowns in the county so far (6), and are also averaging more yards per completion (37.5) than any other team in the county. Big plays will be the key for Ferndale, a few need to pop open to win this game.
Player to watch: Senior running back/outside linebacker Isaiah Carlson. He looked great last week against Oak Harbor, and he will be heavily needed to perform on both sides of the ball to come out on top of this one.
Historical significance: This is the first time these two teams have squared off.
Moving up the record book: When Carlson broke his 51-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, he passed Ferndale legend Brion Mattson on the all-time rushing list. He is now just 40 yards away from cracking the school’s Top 10 list.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (2-0) AT BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN (2-0)
Time: 6 PM Saturday
Site: Sammamish High School
What to expect: This could get ugly early, but it will be interesting to see how Coach Terpstra does on the road after two home games. If you’re attending, and you’ve never met by broadcast partner Ryland Spencer, he will be at this game. The Lyncs have been overpowering on offense (96 points in two games) and ballhawks on defense (seven interceptions this season). Junior quarterback Jeremiah Wright has settled into his new spot as quarterback very nicely, and has already become a major dual threat behind center.
Player to watch: Junior wide receiver/defensive back Tyson Bajema. His physical play has been a tremendous addition to this year’s LC squad. A great athlete that can make huge plays on either side of the ball.
Historical significance: The one time these two teams have played was 10 years ago. In that contest, LC won 36-14. Daulton Hommes passed for 247 yards and three touchdowns before strictly becoming a basketball star.
Moving up the record book: Senior wide receiver Tyler Sipma is currently tied with Michael Lancaster for 30th on Lynden Christian’s career receiving list with 37 receptions.
