It’s here! Friday night football begins tonight! Below are previews for all nine games this weekend, and 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 1! Thank you to Jeff Bearden for being our annual week 1 guest picker.
MERIDIAN (0-0) AT DEER PARK (0-0)
Time: 6 PM Friday
Site: The Apple Bowl at Wenatchee High School
What to expect: Excessive heat! This could be one of the hottest games, weather-wide, that has included a Whatcom County team, so be ready for that. Other than that, I would expect Meridian to open things up and get the ball to its athletes. The Trojans have a veteran line up front that should third-year starting quarterback Jaeger Fyfe plenty of time to hit his targets.
Player to watch: Senior guard/defensive tackle Jaxson Hurlbut. I always enjoy watching this player, and now as a senior, he could have some dominating moments. He should be poised to have a great year.
Historical significance: This will be the first time these two teams have met each other. It’s nice they picked a neutral site that works best for both fan bases.
Moving up the record book: Once Fyfe throws his second pass of the game, he will become the sixth player in school history to attempt at least 500 passes in his career.
SEHOME (0-0) AT MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK (0-0)
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Site: Quil Ceda Stadium
What to expect: I have a feeling that this could be a high-scoring game, and very exciting. With some new position coaches at Sehome, you might see a slightly different look than you’re used to. But, you can still expect junior Nolan Wright to be dynamic behind center, and finding ways to get the ball to senior wide receiver Andre Watson will be paramount.
Player to watch: Senior running back Solomon McAlister. With so much attention given to Watson on the perimeter, it could open up some running lanes for McAlister. I’ve heard some great things coming out of camp about his improvement, and he could have a breakout game.
Historical significance: Sehome and Marysville-Pilchuck were conference opponents from 1995-2000, with the Mariners coming out on top in every contest. Sehome also opened up the 1983 season with a 21-7 win over the Tomahawks, which was highlighted by the 202 yards passing, one touchdown pass and one touchdown run by quarterback Brett Thorsteinson.
Moving up the record book: Senior kicker Grady Evans is one field goal away from tying the school record for career field goals kicked.
BURLINGTON-EDISON (0-0) AT SQUALICUM (0-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: A conference game right out of the gates, and both teams struggled a little bit last season. It will come down to the team that makes the fewest errors in this week one matchup. I expect Squalicum to find creative ways to get the ball into senior Marcus Nixon’s hands, who will be back at running back after playing quarterback last season.
Player to watch: Senior wide receiver/safety Joaquin Ortiz. He is such an explosive player, and really fun to watch. Be prepared to see him on the field doing a lot of different things, and I wouldn’t take a bathroom break after a Tiger touchdown, because he could very easily turn the ensuing kickoff into six points himself.
Historical significance: This will be the 20th matchup all-time between these two teams, and it’s been very even with Squalicum winning 10, and Burlington-Edison winning nine games. The Storm have won the last five contests, including a 54-31 victory in 2015 that witnessed Ben Peterson score a touchdown on a run, a reception and a kickoff return.
Moving up the record book: Nixon has ran for over 800 yards in each of the previous two seasons, he needs just 61 yards to pass Andy Kammenga who currently sits at sixth on the school’s all-time rushing list.
LYNDEN (0-0) AT FERNDALE (0-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Ferndale High School
What to expect: This is it, this is the big game. The atmosphere will be tremendous, and the game should be as well. A great way to open the season, and you can bet that there will be some big-time hitting going on down on the field. Lynden’s defense has a lot of new starters, and it could take a little bit to adapt to the precision of the Golden Eagle Wing-T.
Matchup to watch: Ferndale junior quarterback Nolan Boleak and Lynden junior safety Lofa Tigilau. I know that the Golden
Eagles traditionally don’t throw very often, but Boleak has had a great spring, and he could unload some deep passes. Tigilau, a former linebacker, will need to adjust to his new position quickly.
Historical significance: These two have played each other 50 times with Ferndale leading Lynden with 29 wins to 20. One game was played to a scoreless tie in 1948. Over the last 12 years, they have each won six games.
Moving up the record book: If Ferndale senior running back Talan Bungard scores a rushing touchdown, he will break a tie that he currently has with Tyler Smith and Jacob Broselle for 27th on the school’s all-time list.
NOOKSACK VALLEY (0-0) AT ONALASKA (0-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Onalaska High School
What to expect: Both teams will be run-heavy, but especially the Loggers. It will be a different style of football than perhaps you have seen in quite a while, but you can bet that the Pioneers will be up for it. Nooksack Valley will pack the box, and try to limit first downs so they can get back on offense and show off that explosive offense that they had last season.
Player to watch: Senior linebacker Colby Martin. He’s going to get a lot of chances in the middle of the field against this type of rushing attack. He’s an aggressive tackler that made the most of his limited opportunities last season, and this season should stand out.
Historical significance: This is will be the first matchup between these two teams.
Moving up the record book: It has to be said. Senior running back Colton Lentz is now just 11 yards behind his father, Britt, for second place on the school’s career rushing list.
PORT ANGELES (0-0) AT MOUNT BAKER (0-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Bob Tisdale Field
What to expect: A fast moving game. Both teams like to control the clock, and run the ball. The Port Angeles offense will run a lot of plays that are very similar to Mount Baker, but they will do it out of the shotgun. The Mountaineers will need to play disciplined on defense, and not turn the ball over on offense, to come out on top at home.
Player to watch: Junior wide receiver/tight end Jet Ross. Look for him to start on both sides of the ball, and at 6-foot-2 he could be a looming presence at free safety. He may also start at tight end, if last year’s starter Caden Mosher is unable to play.
Historical significance: This is will be the first matchup between these two teams.
Moving up the record book: As of now, only two players from Mount Baker have had three kickoff returns for touchdowns. Murry Park did it the mid 1970’s, and senior Brady Bruland has done it. One more kickoff return for a touchdown and he would have the school record, and he would be one away from the Whatcom County record of five, held by Ben Peterson of Squalicum.
VANCOUVER COLLEGE, BC (0-0) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (0-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Lynden Christian High School
What to expect: The Fighting Irish will likely have the size advantage, but the Lyncs have always played really well against Canadian foes. Lynden Christian will have a ton of new starters on both sides of the ball, but we all know that there will numerous athletes that will emerge quickly and get noticed.
Player to watch: Junior quarterback Eli Maberry. Known for making the right decisions a lot of the time, that’s all you can ask for in your first varsity start. He did get a lot of reps last season, completing 25-of-41 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns, but he will have a lot of new players around him this time around.
Historical significance: The Lyncs played Vancouver College back in 2008, and tonight will be the second matchup they have ever had. In the first go-round, Lynden Christian came out on top 27-12 behind a tremendous performance by Jacob Knibbe who caught six passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns.
Moving up the record book: If the Lyncs win, Coach Greg Terpstra will have won his 17th game and that would tie him with John Rozeboom for sixth place in school history.
BELLINGHAM (0-0) AT CHIEF SEALTH (0-0)
Time: 2 PM Saturday
Site: Memorial Stadium in Seattle
What to expect: Both teams should be a little more prepared for this matchup than last season when the game was thrown together the last minute after Cleveland backed out against the Bayhawks. This could be a low-scoring game, with some great defense. The offense for Bellingham is a bit of an unknown at this moment, although Coach Adam Leonard does like to spread the field.
Player to watch: Junior quarterback/defensive back Joe Harward. One of the best overall athletes in the area, a three-sport star, now trying his hand at the hardest position in sports, quarterback. Although he won’t technically be under the lights, this will be a new experience for him, and you can bet he will be a dual-threat kind of player.
Historical significance: Last season was the first time these two teams played each other, with the Seahawks coming out 32-27. Tyler Frost ran for 123 yards and Nate Laas had two interceptions, and both players are back.
Moving up the record book: Since 2015, Frost has racked 26 tackles for loss, one more and he will pass Brahm VanWoerden for the most in the school over the last 10 seasons.
RENTON (0-0) AT BLAINE (0-0)
Time: 3 PM Saturday
Site: Blaine High School
What to expect: It’s gonna be a warm one on Saturday afternoon. Blaine is huge up front, but going against a bigger school like the Red Hawks, the Borderites may be smaller. Coach Olson will want to out-tough his opponent, and this will be no different. There are some big pieces coming back, including senior quarterback Colin Davis and senior running back Jaiden Paez.
Player to watch: Senior offensive tackle Jayden Winslow. At 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds he should be able to clear some big paths for his running backs. He also competed at state last year in the shot put.
Historical significance:This is will be the first matchup between these two teams.
Moving up the record book: Davis has thrown 20 touchdown passes in his career, which is good for seventh place in the school record book. He just two behind Daniel Gorze.
