We are now onto week six! Below are previews for all eight games this weekend, and well as our predictions, a podcast that gives our thoughts on all the games and who we picked as our fantasy players for week 6! Thank you to Laura Slyman for being our guest picker, and thank you to Josh Tolle for the intro.
SQUALICUM (3-2) AT LAKEWOOD (1-3)
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Site: Lakewood High School
What to expect: Thursday night games can always be a little weird, and it might be a benefit for the Storm who just played one last week. I would look for Squalicum to find creative ways to get the ball to their dynamic playmakers, and then take some shots down the field at opportune times. The Storm defense also played quite well last week, and if they can build on that, they should be in good shape.
Player to watch: Junior quarterback/cornerback Marcus Nixon. Tremendous straight speed with an easy long stride, almost a Marcus Allen-type. He’s getting better at throwing the ball each week, but is such a major threat when he runs. He also had a great game last week defensively with five tackles, two tackles for loss, 2 passes broken up and a forced fumble.
Historical significance: The Storm hold a 5-2 lead in the series between the two teams, with Squalicum winning last season 35-12. In the 2007 meeting, the Storm won 71-14 with Kyle Keller catching three touchdown passes while also picking up a pick-six.
Moving up the record book: Last week, Nixon moved past Andrew Reid to become the 10th leading rusher in Storm history.
COUPEVILLE (1-4) AT BELLINGHAM (2-3)
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: This could be another big revenge win from last season. Few teams in Whatcom County are as hot as the Bayhawks are right now, and on this homecoming evening I would expect the fireworks to keep coming offensively. The machine is clicking, including on defense. Bellingham can put up points in a hurry, so get there early!
Player to watch: Senior quarterback Josh Leonard. Coming into this season, my biggest question mark for Bellingham was, “Who does Leonard have to throw the ball to?” After graduating all the top receivers, a new crop has come in and they are just fine. Knowing Leonard’s ability, it was probably a foolish question on my part.
Historical significance: Last season’s 48-6 loss was the only time the Bayhawks have faced the Wolves. Bellingham’s lone touchdown came from Tyler Frost, who also ran for 88 yards.
Moving up the record book: If Leonard throws at least two touchdown passes he will be the new school record holder for touchdown passes in a season.
LYNDEN (4-1) AT ARCHBISHOP MURPHY (3-2)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Terry Ennis Stadium
What to expect: The Lions have been very balanced as of late, which bodes well for them as the end of the season nears. The Wildcats have been tough against the run this year, but I’m not sure they have faced an offensive line quite like what the Lions possess. Look for Lynden to establish the run early, and then use that to open up the passing game.
Player to watch: Senior left guard, Bennett Roorda. The Wildcats have some big lineman, but I’m not sure if they can match-up size-wise with Roorda. A three-year starter, now at left guard, Roorda can really maul in the run-blocking game.
Historical significance: Believe it, or not, this is the 11th time that these two teams have met, with the Lions winning seven of 10, including the last four in a row. Of course, everyone remembers the 2011 State Championship game when Lynden won 17-16 over Archbishop Murphy in one of the best-coached games in Curt Kramme’s incredible career.
Moving up the record book: Junior quarterback Brant Heppner is now 73 yards away from becoming the 13th player in school history to get to 2,000 career passing yards.
MERIDIAN (3-2) AT BLAINE (1-4)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Blaine High School
What to expect: Both teams are coming off of rough losses to open up the conference schedule, and going 0-2 in this conference is almost impossible to come back from. Look for both teams to play opportunistic, especially on special teams. Both of these teams have tried onside kicks early in the game, so the return teams will need to be ready for anything.
Matchup to watch: Meridian junior Landen Downey versus Blaine junior Colby Shipp. These two will meet in the middle of the field on multiple occasions, on both sides of the ball. Both are running backs, and both are strong safeties. Also, a bonus, if Meridian punts, it would be Downey punting to Shipp.
Historical significance: There’s a lot of history with these two teams, facing off against each other 56 times since 1974. Blaine had a six game winning streak against Meridian heading into the 1980’s, but the Trojans turned around and beat the Borderites the next 16 times.
Moving up the record book: Blaine senior Hunter Vezzetti passed Tygr Cain and Andrew Miller last week in career receptions, and now sits at 8th all-time in school history.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (3-2) AT NOOKSACK VALLEY (4-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Sid Lambert Field
What to expect: I expect a full house. Get there very early! In this much anticipated matchup, you’re going to see two teams that are extremely talented that are both looking for the same thing, a NWC 1A Championship. The Pioneer offense has been unstoppable as of late, and the Lyncs are coming off their best game of the season. Everything lines up for this game to be an instant classic.
Matchup to watch: Lynden Christian senior Brody Bouwman versus Nooksack Valley senior John Stremler. When you talk about aggressive players, these are two near the top of my list. You should expect some big-time hits involving these two throughout the game.
Historical significance: Since 1974, these two teams have played each other 79 times, with LC holding a 44-35 advantage. In the final week of the 1989 season, these two teams played an epic game in the mud to decide the WCL Championship, which the Lyncs won 7-2.
Moving up the record book: Lynden Christian senior Jeremiah Wright is just 86 yards away from becoming the 11th player in school history to pass for over 2,000 yards in a career.
FERNDALE (4-1) AT MARYSVILLE-GETCHELL (3-2)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Quil Ceda Stadium
What to expect: The Golden Eagles took care of business last week at home, and are back on track to make more noise in the WesCo 3A North. They will be doing just that on the road in this matchup, and I would expect more noise from Ferndale. The run game was back last week, and only one-yard away from three backs going over the 100-yard plateau. Senior quarterback Bishop Ootsey also threw for a career-high 143 yards.
Player to watch: Senior lineman Camden Raymond. This dude is relentless. He’s the catalyst of the run game with his devastating blocks, and he constantly fights through double teams on defense. His ability to disrupt the quarterback could lead to some turnovers in Ferndale’s favor.
Historical significance: The Golden Eagles are 6-0 against the Chargers all-time, and the average score has been 45-10. Over those years Ben, Jacob and Thomas Broselle each scored touchdowns.
Moving up the record book: A 100-plus receiving yard performance by Conner Walcker moved him up the school’s record book. He is currently fourth all-time in receiving yards in school history, as he just passed Hoyt Gier.
ANACORTES (5-0) AT SEHOME (3-2)
Time: 1 PM Saturday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: The Seahawks are turning into a juggernaut of a team in the 2A ranks. They have yet to really be challenged this season, including a 27-7 win over Sedro-Woolley last week. Anacortes is talent-laden, but Sehome has some dudes as well. Last year’s game was very close, and if the Mariners can break some big plays, and force some turnovers, we could see an upset here.
Player to watch: Junior wide receiver/cornerback Coleby Chambers. He will have a lot on his plate trying to help shut down the passing offense of Anacortes. But, if I was playing against the Seahawks, he’s the guys I would want to help with that.
Historical significance: Over the last 50 years, Sehome holds a 27-16 record against Anacortes, but the Seahawks won last season 34-28. The 1973 game saw Sehome win 28-0, with Angelo LoGrande tossing touchdown passes to Joe Pitalo and Larry Johnston. LoGrande also intercepted a pass on defense and took it 35 yards for a score.
Moving up the record book: Last week, Andre Watson shattered the school record for catches in a game, with 15, which also tied the Whatcom County record. He now has 90 catches in his career, just three behind Brett Meggyesy for the most in school history.
MOUNT BAKER (2-3) AT LA CENTER (5-0)
Time: 2 PM Saturday
Site: La Center High School
What to expect: A long road trip for the Mountaineers, and an extremely tough opponent in the Wildcats. Last year’s game was a heart-breaker at home, and La Center looks to be improved from a year ago. Mount Baker’s run offense really got on track last week against Blaine, and a replication is in order. Junior Brady Bruland is also averaging over 33 yards per kickoff return, and his abilities could really help in the field position game.
Player to watch: Senior left tackle/defensive end Alex Maloley. What a year he has had. He lives in the opponents backfield, and his strength allows him to never miss a tackle. Also, you can’t key on him because Vance Lawrence is coming from the other side, and you better watch out!
Historical significance: This is just the second time these two teams have met in the regular season, but they have faced each other six times in the postseason! The only wins from Baker came in 2013 and 2014.
Moving up the record book: I’m still researching, but Brady Bruland’s kickoff return for a touchdown last week may have made him the only player in school history to have three kickoff returns for touchdowns in a career.
