It’s week two, and you know what that means… It’s time to overreact about week 1! Although most of us are picking the same way, there are a few curveballs thrown in there. Eric Trent is currently leading the pack, which is tough to do against Joe’s consensus picks, but it’s early! We’d like to thank Randy Small for being our guest picker this week, learn more about him in our podcast below! Also, below are the previews for all nine games this weekend.
BELLINGHAM (1-0) AT MEADOWDALE (0-1)
Time: 5 PM Friday
Site: Edmonds District Stadium
What to expect: The Bayhawks looked sharp in all three phases of the game last Saturday, but they will get a little bigger test in this one. Coach Adam Leonard has his squad playing with a hunger that could last throughout the season. Quarterback Alex Wells only put the ball in the air three times last week, and two of them went for touchdowns. Senior defensive ends Jacob White and Liam Poulton-Claypool also looked great, and could be a major factor in getting after the Maverick quarterback
Player to watch: Senior wide receiver/cornerback Kalani Utu. He had his breakout game last week, which included a interception returned 41 yards for a touchdown. The former quarterback could be a major difference maker on the offensive side of the ball as a wide receiver.
Historical significance: This is the fourth meeting between these schools, but the first since 1994. In that game, Bellingham got the 34-12 win behind Austin Williams who had 186 yards rushing to go along with three rushing touchdowns.
Moving up the record book: Bellingham had two interceptions returned for touchdowns last week, the ONLY season when Bellingham had three pick-sixes was 2015. One more interception returned for a touchdown, and the Bayhawks tie the school record for a season. Could it happen this early?
CHELAN (0-1) AT MERIDIAN (1-0)
Time: 6 PM Friday
Site: Meridian High School
What to expect: The Trojans had one of the most balanced games in recent history, offensively. The young offensive line performed well, allowing the skill guys to really break out. You can likely expect more of Jaeger Fyfe airing it out to his multitude of athletes. The defense is blitz hungry, with disguising middle blitzes. Timing is everything, and the Trojans always seem to have it defensively.
Player to watch: Sophomore quarterback and cornerback Jaeger Fyfe. He’s already settling in like a veteran, and could extend his lead as the county’s leading passer by a good margin.
Historical significance: This is the third matchup between the two schools, with the Trojans winning the first two. The last matchup was a 49-14 Meridian win in 2015 where sophomore quarterback Simon Burkett tossed two touchdowns and had two touchdown runs.
Moving up the record book: Senior Hunter Jones had 69 receiving yards last week, which moved him up past five Trojans on the career receiving yards list in school history. If he duplicates that performance, he would pass six more (Sean Self, Ryder Chance, Dawson Logan, Daniel Short, Willie Wantz and Cody Bowden).
WENATCHEE (0-1) AT MOUNT BAKER (0-1)
Time: 6 PM Friday
Site: Bob Tisdale Field
What to expect: The Mountaineers will likely be playing with a little bit of anger after last week’s loss, and last year’s 10-0 loss to Wenatchee. The Panthers like to run the ball, and that could play right into Baker’s strength. There will be some hard-hitting going on, which the Mountaineers have to be excited about. The nerves are gone, and you can expect the boys in black to be ready, especially in front of the hometown crowd.
Player to watch: Senior guard and defensive end Ethan Larson. Wenatchee has some big players, and Larson can match size and strength with him. This will be a good test for him to show what he can do in the trenches.
Historical significance: Last year’s 10-0 game was the first time the two programs met. Marcques George did have a good game, rushing for a team-high 76 yards on 13 carries. However, there is a different kind of history, with Mount Baker attending the Wenatchee camp every summer for years.
Moving up the record book: Last week, George became the 30th player in Mount Baker history to rush for over 1,000 yards in his career. He needs 56 yards to get past the 1,100 yard plateau. If he gets there, he will have surpassed Ben Valum, Jeff Lawrence and Carson Brandland.
SEHOME (1-0) AT BLAINE (0-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Blaine High School
What to expect: The Mariners are coming off an emotional high after coming back and defeating Mount Baker last week, and the Borderites had a rough third quarter at Port Angeles last week before falling to the Roughriders. Blaine likes to pound the ball, and Sehome had a pretty good test of that last week. The Mariner offense played much better in the second half, when they opened things up. Blaine’s secondary is full of talented kids, so Sehome will have to be on point with it’s passing game.
Matchup to watch: Sehome senior Max Malo versus Blaine sophomore Colby Shipp. I really like this potential matchup on both sides of the ball. With Malo at tight end, Shipp could be covering him from his strong safety position. Malo holds a distinct size advantage, but Shipp is an aggressive tackler that knows how to bring down his opponent. They could also meet on the other side of the ball if Shipp runs some sweeps, he could be running right into Malo who is manning his outside linebacker spot.
Historical significance: This will be the 12th meeting between the two Whatcom County schools, but the first time since 2018. Blaine holds an 8-3 advantage in the career meetings, but Sehome won the last two, including a 65-24 win in 2017m which is the most points scored in a single game in Mariner football history.
Moving up the record book: For Sehome, there had been seven players that finished their sophomore season with double-digit career receptions. Last week, Andre Watson became the eighth player in school history to join that list. The top player on the list is Melloy Nelson who had 40 grabs by the end of this sophomore season, and Watson looks to be on that pace. For Blaine, last week’s performance put senior running back Larry Creasey over 600 rushing yards in his career. If he gets to 700, he will pass Brad Wolten, Dave Sharp and Greg Flint.
LYNDEN (1-0) AT W.F. WEST (1-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: W.F. West High School
What to expect: This should be quite a game. The Lions are going to get the best shot from every team they face this season, and this will be no exception. This should be one of the biggest challenges for Lynden all season, despite playing in one of the best overall 2A conferences in the state. The Bearcats are likely going to make the state playoffs, and Lynden is looking to repeat, so this very well could be a pre-cursor of a future matchup in November.
Player to watch: Senior safety Kobe Baar. It seems like he just keeps playing better and better with every game. He had a great first week, and his toughness level is above many other safeties around.
Historical significance: This is the third overall matchup between the two schools, but the first time in the regular season. Lynden beat them the first two times, the last time in the 2011 state playoffs, 17-7. In that game, current Lynden assistant coach caught five passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Moving up the record book: Senior wide receiver Isaiah Stanley caught five passes last Friday, which allowed him to pass Kaleb Coleman, Dan VanBeek and Trevor Ottmer on the school’s career reception list. He is currently tied with Ryan Gaylord for 15th place.
ARCHBISHOP MURPHY (0-0) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (1-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Lynden Christian High School
What to expect: Honestly, I’m not really sure what to expect. The Lyncs are either the best 1A team in the state, or they really weren’t challenged very much in week one. I think it’s somewhere in the middle. This is the first game of the season for the Wildcats, so Lynden Christian could have that advantage after already playing a game, but on the other side, Archbishop has seen film on LC, and the same can’t be said the other way around. The Wildcats are always strong, but those Lyncs might be a little wilder.
Player to watch: Junior quarterback/outside linebacker Jeremiah Wright. The uber talented Wright is still learning the quarterback position, but did well last week completing all five of his attempts. He might put it up 25 times in this game, and you can bet he will be a force off the edge while playing defense.
Historical significance: This is just the second time that these two teams have locked horns. The first time was close to the year that most of the Lyncs were born, 2005. The Wildcats took it to the Lyncs that night, 48-14.
Moving up the record book: When senior Kade Eldridge ran for two scores last week, he moved past David Bladies, Joey Mellema and Tim Martin on the school’s career rushing touchdowns list. He’s currently tied in 17th place with Matt Rutgers and Brent Berendsen.
FIFE (1-0) AT SQUALICUM (1-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: I have a feeling that this will be a very close game. Fife always has a good program, and with Squalicum coming off an emotional victory, this has the makings of a playoff-type atmosphere. If the Storm offensive line can play like it did in week one, I really like their chances. Squalicum had great balance against Orting, and quarterback Josh Leonard developed good timing with receivers Nevhye Egging and Jacob Sorenson.
Player to watch: Sophomore running back Marcus Nixon. He’s built more like a wide receiver, but then when you see him carry the ball, you’ll know why he’s in the backfield. Extremely quick, especially when he gets outside, and he can outrun defenders, even when they have the angle on him.
Historical significance: Surprisingly, this is the first meeting between the two teams. But, likely, it won’t be the last.
Moving up the record book: When Deandre Dunmore took the first carry of the game 30 yards, he surpassed Brandon LeDoux, Will Nickelson, JaLique Martin and Brandon Sanford on Squalicum’s career rushing leader list.
NOOKSACK VALLEY (1-0) AT CONNELL (0-1)
Time: 1 PM Saturday
Site: Connell High School
What to expect: The Pioneers are out to prove that last Friday was no fluke. For those of us that have been this coming for a few years, it definitely doesn’t feel like a fluke. There is a confidence about this team, and they have every right to be. A long road trip, and an early Saturday game, that can make it tough, but I feel that Nooksack Valley is out to show everyone what it is capable of. Despite having one of the most talented quarterbacks in Whatcom County in Joey Brown, they will heavily rely on their running game behind their huge offensive line.
Player to watch: Sophomore running back/safety Cory Olney. A personal favorite of mine, a really fun player to watch. Always giving his all on every play, and you match that with great natural talent, and you have one of the best players in the league.
Historical significance: This will be just the second time that these two teams have played, and the last time was 20 years ago in the state playoffs. Connell bested Nooksack Valley in that game 30-10, and Ty Willemsen led the Pioneers with 86 yards rushing, 40 yards receiving and scored the lone touchdown.
Moving up the record book: Brown is just 22 passing yards behind Wade Rediger for 13th place on the school’s career passing list. Rediger was the first quarterback that the Pioneers had when they changed their offense to what they have ran for the last 15 years.
OAK HARBOR (0-1) AT FERNDALE (1-0)
Time: 6 PM Saturday
Site: Blaine High School
What to expect: Pure domination. The Golden Eagles are angry after last week’s game, and they are going to take it out on the Wildcats. Both teams scored just seven points last Friday, but against very different opponents. I expect some big-play touchdowns by Ferndale, and this will get the ball truly rolling in conference play. You can guarantee that the Golden Eagles will be focused on a big win here.
Player to watch: Senior center/defensive end Landen Hatchett. Yep, defensive end. It’s great seeing the big man out on the edge on defense. There is no better center around, but watching him on defense is a lot of fun.
Historical significance: Ferndale has one 7 of the last 10 against Oak Harbor, going back to 1974, but the Golden Eagles have won the last three seasons by an average of 32.3 points per game. In 1974’s matchup, Pat Locker ran for two touchdowns and Mike Locker threw for another in the 30-8 victory.
Moving up the record book: Senior running back Isaiah Carlson became the 18th player in school history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in his career. On Friday he passed Kyler Randall, Justice Powell and Marcus Nightingale on the list.
Wow. Great stuff. Thanks. You are the best.