We’re back for more football action! Below are previews for all four games this weekend, as well as our predictions and a podcast that gives our thoughts on all the games and who we picked as our fantasy players for week 11! Thank you to Allan Fee of KPUG for being our guest picker, and thank you to Lynden sophomore Malachi Koenen for the podcast intro!
CASCADE CHRISTIAN (7-3) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (6-4)
Time: 1 PM Saturday
Site: Blaine High School
What to expect: The Lyncs are playing awesome right now, and its just in time for the state playoffs. The passing game has been there all season, and the running game is proving to be an incredible force when called upon. It’s hard to for a more overall athletic team than Lynden Christian
Player to watch: Senior wide receiver/safety Jayden Huleatt. He has great ball skills, and takes calculated risks. Look for him to have a big impact on both sides of the ball.
Historical significance: These two teams have split the four matchups that they’ve had over the years. The last contest came in the 2019 playoffs when the Lyncs won 42-12 behind the three touchdown passes from Trajan Schouten.
Moving up the record book: No player in school history as thrown for more yards in a season that Eli Maberry has this year, and no player in school history has had more receiving yards in a season than Boyce Robertson has this year. This cousin duo is completely re-writing the school record book.
FIFE (7-3) AT LYNDEN (9-1)
Time: 2 PM Saturday
Site: Ferndale High School
What to expect: The Lions are rolling, and their big-time passing game should be able to put them over the top. The Trojans like to run the ball, and that will be extremely tough to do against the tackling machines in green and gold.
Player to watch: Sophomore left tackle/defensive lineman Zach Dykstra. Fresh off being named All-Conference 1st Team as an offensive lineman, a huge accomplishment for a sophomore, Dykstra’s run blocking can create huge holes for the Lynden backs.
Historical significance: This is will be the fourth time that these two teams have met in the playoffs, with Lynden winning the first three. In the last two games, the Lions have won 34-0 and 31-0.
Moving up the record book: Three more receptions and senior tight Isaiah Oudman will be the 8th player in school history to catch at least 60 passes in a season.
SEHOME (7-3) AT OTHELLO (9-1)
Time: 2 PM Saturday
Site: Othello High School
What to expect: This could be a shootout east of the mountains. The Huskies will know that they have to stop Andre Watson, but knowing it and doing it are two completely different things. The Mariners haven’t won a state playoff game in 29 years, could this be the year?
Player to watch: Senior inside linebacker Carl Bach. A tackling machine that has totaled 150 stops over the past two seasons. He will make a major impact.
Historical significance: These two teams have never played each other before.
Moving up the record book: Watson holds basically every receiving record in Whatcom County, and now junior quarterback Nolan Wright is starting the move his way up as well. Last week he became the first player in school history to have 30 touchdown passes in a season.
ZILLAH (8-2) AT NOOKSACK VALLEY (8-2)
Time: 4 PM Saturday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: With star running back/linebacker Colton Lentz ruled out for the game, the Pioneers will look to numerous different players to get the job done. A lot of players really stepped their games up last weekend, and this is a team that’s been on a mission all season.
Player to watch: Senior running back/linebacker Colby Martin. He will be out to prove that not only is he one of the best linebackers in the county, but he can carry the load if needed.
Historical significance: These two teams have never played each other.
Moving up the record book: Senior wide receiver Cory Olney is just five receptions away from reaching 100 in his career. Only 21 players in Whatcom County history have reached that milestone.
