We are now onto week five! Below are previews for all seven games this weekend, and well as our predictions and a podcast that gives our thoughts on all the games, who we picked as our fantasy players for week 5 and what you need to do to get a Whatcom Preps sticker! Thank you to Michael Noftle for being our guest picker, and thank you to Wyatt Duling for the intro.
BURLINGTON-EDISON (0-3) AT SQUALICUM (2-2)
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: I’m expecting a low-scoring, defensive battle. Two teams that like to run the ball, this game could go pretty fast. Each team has some dynamic playmakers, and if one of them springs a long play, that could be the difference in the game. The Storm have scored just six points over the last two games, and more will definitely be needed here.
Player to watch: Senior right tackle/defensive tackle Colby Lewis. A beast on the offensive line, and big plays are made behind him. He has also gotten into fantastic shape to where he rarely leaves the field, and has become one of the best defensive linemen in the county.
Historical significance: Before Nick Lucey took over as head coach at Squalicum in 2014, the Storm were 5-9 all-time against Burlington-Edison. Since he’s been the coach, Squalicum is 4-0 against the Tigers.
Moving up the record book: Senior linebacker Deandre Dunmore became the fifth Squalicum player since 2016 to surpass 100 career tackles, and he’s now three tackles away from moving past Nick Watt on that list.
LA CONNER (0-4) AT BELLINGHAM (1-3)
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: After a big win last week, I think that Bellingham will keep riding this high. Confidence is now flowing through the entire team, and the big-play Bayhawks will not rest. Deep passes to playmakers, and an opportunistic defense (which has turned over the opponents 13 times already this season) will be big components in this contest.
Player to watch: Senior wide receiver Wyatt Stephan. Last week was his varsity debut, and with six catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns, it was pretty special. I would expect more of the same on Friday night against the Braves.
Historical significance: There’s not a lot of history between the two schools, but they did play each other in 2014 and 2015, with La Conner winning both games. In the 2014 matchup, Tanner Aliff ran the ball 36 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns for Bellingham.
Moving up the record book: Last week, senior wide receiver Josh Tolle caught 12 passes for 183 yards. It was the first time in 43 years that a Bellingham player caught that many passes in a single game.
MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK (4-0) AT FERNDALE (3-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Ferndale High School
What to expect: Back at home, the Golden Eagles will need to get back on track. It’s time to wipe the slate clean after a tough loss at Arlington, and if Ferndale can just play it’s gam and control the clock, it should work. The Golden Eagles have already surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground so far this season, and you should expect more of that.
Player to watch: Junior inside linebacker Jacob Gandy. Don’t be fooled by his size, he’s one of the toughest players I’ve seen over the last 10 years in Whatcom County. A sure tackler that can shoot the gap, or play in pass coverage.
Historical significance: Going back to 1969, Ferndale is 11-4 against Marysville-Pilchuck (known simply as Marysville High School before 1970). In the 1969 matchup, Jon Bezona ran for 110 yards on 18 carries, but Ferndale came up short, 14-8.
Moving up the record book: Senior strong safety Conner Walcker is only three tackles away from former linebacker Alex Cleary on the school’s career tackle list.
NOOKSACK VALLEY (3-1) AT MERIDIAN (3-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Meridian High School
What to expect: The first conference game for both teams, and both are playing outstanding football. The Trojans have double-trouble with Joshtyn Elmer and Landen Downey, who have combined for over 1,200 all-purpose yards, and the Pioneers will have to find a way to lessen their involvement in the game. Nooksack Valley has the defenders to do it, and they also have the firepower to light up the scoreboard after breaking a school record by scoring 76 points last week.
Matchup to watch: Nooksack Valley junior running back/linebacker Colton Lentz versus Meridian senior running back/linebacker Joshtyn Elmer. The two leading scorers in Whatcom County, and they both might even be better on defense. Matchups like this don’t come along very often, just sit back and enjoy.
Historical significance: Since 1973, these two teams have faced each other 82 times. That’s a lot of football, and Meridian has won 59 of them. The Pioneers won their second matchup of the 1973 season against the Trojans, 28-0, behind the two touchdowns of Jim Sterk. One of which came on a 30-yard interception return.
Moving up the record book: Last week, Lentz became the ninth player in school history to score his 30th career varsity touchdown.
BLAINE (1-3) AT MOUNT BAKER (1-3)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Bob Tisdale Field
What to expect: These are two teams that desperately need that second win of the season. The Mountaineers, as usual, will try to establish the running game, but have no problem going to the pass when needed. The Borderites are battling injuries to key players, but depth in the skill positions are not a problem. Look for some new names to step up on both sides in what will be a close battle.
Matchup to watch: Blaine junior linebacker Malloy Messenger versus Mount Baker junior running back Brady Bruland. I love this matchup, between tow players that are becoming big-time players in Whatcom County. Messenger is bigger than most linebackers, and Bruland is faster than most running backs. Which will win out?
Historical significance: No teams have played each other in Whatcom County more times than these two, with the first matchup coming in 1931, which Mount Baker won 21-0. No, I was not at that game. Mount Baker has won 19 of the last 23 matchups between the two schools.
Moving up the record book: Mount Baker senior defensive end Alex Maloley now has 20 quarterback sacks in his career, the second most in school history. He is currently 3.5 behind current Dallas Cowboy, T.J. Bass.
SEHOME (3-1) AT LYNDEN (3-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Rollie DeKoster Field
What to expect: It was a very close, two-point victory last year for the Lions in this matchup, and the Mariners bring back many players from last year that made key plays in that game. Even though the passing game has been improving every week for Lynden, I see the Lions running the ball more in this game. Sehome has struggled to stop the run, especially when going against big offensive lines. Lynden also doesn’t usually bring more than 3-4 players at a time on passing plays, so Mariner quarterback Nolan Wright will have to read the coverage especially well.
Matchup to watch: Sehome sophomore guard Cole Turrell versus Lynden senior defensive lineman Jesse Stewart. The Mariners will need to run the ball to be successful, and running behind Turrell is always wise. Stewart is extremely strong, and is getting better every week at his new position on the line, which makes for a great matchup.
Historical significance: It has been a lopsided matchup over the years, as Lynden has won 22 out of 24 all-time against Sehome, with the last Mariner victory coming in 2001. The other Sehome victory came in the first matchup in 1993 when Alex Brown and Todd Zuehlke combined for 225 yards rushing and four touchdowns for the Mariners.
Moving up the record book: Sehome junior Andre Watson keeps moving up the school’s all-time leaderboard in receiving. He currently sits at 2nd place in receiving touchdowns with 15, 3rd place in receiving yards with 1,135 and 4th place in receptions with 75.
NAPAVINE (4-0) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (2-2)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Lynden Christian High School
What to expect: After taking on the top ranked team in 1A, now the Lyncs will face the top ranked team in 2B. Many LC fans might now know much about the Tigers, but you should know this. They are good, very good. Their quarterback is a true dual threat, and probably the fastest player on their team. The Lyncs should have a size advantage, and they will need to use it in this one. Expect to see the ball in the air a bunch in this one, on both sides.
Player to watch: Senior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Malachi VanderMey. Another guy that rarely comes off the field, and doesn’t seem to tire down. Full effort is always given, and he’s becoming one of the best players on an already great team.
Historical significance: This is the first time these two teams have met.
Moving up the record book: I don’t have ALL the Lynden Christian defensive stats, but I have totaled up a lot of them going back 30-plus years, and from what I do have, senior linebacker Kayden Stuit has the second most career tackles with 141. He needs 49 more to surpass Mark Zylstra.
