We’re back for more football action! Below are previews for all six 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 6! Thank you to Randy Small for being our guest picker, and thank you to Meridian senior Landen Downey for the podcast intro!
FERNDALE (2-3) AT SNOHOMISH (0-5)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Veterans Memorial Stadium
What to expect: The Golden Eagles have had a tough season, with three losses all coming very late in the game. This is a good team, and they will absolutely bring it on the road against the Panthers. Expect good ol’ fashioned smash-mouth Ferndale football.
Player to watch: Senior running back/defensive end Talan Bungard. He’s rolling this season, with over 800 yards rushing over the first five games. 10 times in school history has a player ran for 250+ yards in a game. I just have a feeling we’re going to see the 11th time.
Historical significance: The last time these two teams played was in 1969, and the Panthers won 20-0. Golden Eagle quarterback Doug Gorusch passed for 108 yards in the game.
Moving up the record book: Although Bungard passed Pat Locker a few weeks ago on the school’s all-time rushing list, he is now 10th in school history, which means he is still behind four more Lockers (Casey, Jake, Brady and John).
BELLINGHAM (1-4) AT BURLINGTON-EDISON (2-3)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Roland Kirkby Field
What to expect: The Bayhawks are trending up right now, but they are back in conference play, and back on the road. The Tigers play everyone extremely tough at home, and getting a victory here will be tough for both teams. If senior Bly Henderson is back and ready to play on both sides of the ball, that could tip the scales towards a Bellingham victory.
Player to watch: Senior running back/inside linebacker Tyler Frost. He had a big game last week offensively, and he has the ability to wear a defense down as the game gets into the fourth quarter.
Historical significance: These long-time rivals will be playing each other for the first time since 2017, and the Tigers have won 24 of the last 25 meetings between the two schools. Bellingham won 39-27 in 2010 behind Bobby Funkhouser’s two touchdown runs and two touchdown passes.
Moving up the record book: Over the past nine years, only five players have more career tackles for loss in Whatcom County than Frost. Bryson Lamb, Jake Mason, Waylon Kentner, Alex Maloley and Manny Sabalza.
LYNDEN (4-1) AT SQUALICUM (3-2)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: It should be another great Northwest Conference matchup. The Lion defense has allowed over 28 points per game in conference games, which is unusual, and the Storm have one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the county. This could be another nail biter, with two tremendous coaching staffs.
Matchup to watch: Lynden senior defensive tackle Parker Williams against Squalicum junior guard Brycen Vereen. There is a lot of talent on the perimeter for these two squads, but this matchup will dictate how a lot of this game will go.
Historical significance: This is will be the 25th matchup between the two schools, with Lynden winning 22 of the first 24. The Storm have never beat the Lions at Civic Stadium.
Moving up the record book: Only one player in Whatcom County history has thrown for over 4,000 yards in his career, and has also thrown less than 10 interceptions. His name is Brant Heppner.
MOUNT BAKER (4-1) AT MERIDIAN (4-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Meridian High School
What to expect: A big-time rivalry that goes back decades. This game should be extremely close, with no big surprises. The Mountaineer coaching staff will be ready for the Trojan double-pass, and the Meridian coaching staff will be ready for the Mount Baker double-handoff. It will be all about executing the plays on the field, and not making mistakes.
Matchup to watch: Mount Baker sophomore defensive tackle Aaron Torres against Meridian senior center Carson Campbell. Torres is playing well in his first varsity season, and Campbell is one of the strongest centers in the league.
Historical significance: This will be the 105th matchup between these two schools, going back 90 years. The Mountaineers have won the last five meetings between the two teams, with Coach Patrick Ames looking to get his first victory over Coach Ron Lepper.
Moving up the record book: Only one player in Meridian’s history has career numbers of 1300+ rushing yards. 20+rushing touchdowns, 60+ receptions and 40+ extra points kicked. Joel Pears was just 20 rushing yards shy of it, and Trojan senior Landen Downey is the only one.
BLAINE (4-1) AT NOOKSACK VALLEY (4-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Sid Lambert Field
What to expect: This year’s Blaine teams feels a lot like the Nooksack Valley team from a few years ago. An upstart club that has found what works, and wants to pound the ball. The Pioneers will be ready, and is a tough team to run the ball on. It might come down to the passing game of the both these teams.
Matchup to watch: Blaine senior quarterback Colin Davis against Nooksack Valley senior safety Cory Olney. The Borderites won’t look to throw often, but when they do, Davis will have to be aware of Olney who has picked off 11 passes in his fantastic career.
Historical significance: These two teams have played each other 59 times since 1973, and it’s been pretty even with a 33-26 advantage for the Pioneers. In 1996 the two teams finished off the season against each other with Nooksack Valley running back Bryan Jones capping off the game with his fourth rushing touchdown to secure the 35-28 win.
Moving up the record book: Already the school’s record holder in career rushing touchdowns, Nooksack Valley senior Colton Lentz is now tied with current Washington State Cougar running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker for 3rd place all-time in Whatcom County career rushing touchdowns with 57.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (2-3) AT SEHOME (3-2)
Time: 1 PM Saturday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: This will be an awesome shoot-out between two extremely fun teams to watch. As a stand-alone game on Saturday afternoon, I advise you to head on over to Civic Stadium and check it out as a fan of the game. Although both teams are prolific and throwing the ball, if one team gets up by a few scores, it might want to run the ball late to secure the lead.
Matchup to watch: Lynden Christian senior inside linebacker Trey Bosman against Sehome junior quarterback Nolan Wright. Nobody has racked up more tackles in the past year and a half than Bosman, and he will constantly be in Wright’s vision, who has been on the run more than usual. Bosman has also intercepted seven passes over that time.
Historical significance: This is just the fifth time these two schools have played each other with the first four coming in consecutive years between 2008-2011. The all-time record is 2-2.
Moving up the record book: All signs point to this being the game when Sehome senior Andre Watson breaks the Whatcom County record for career receptions. He is currently four behind Blair Bomber (163), who set the record 15 years ago.
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