We’re back for more football action! Below are previews for all 10 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 3! Thank you to Dan Kaemingk for being our guest picker, and thank you to Squalicum junior Ansen Asbjornsen for the podcast intro!
MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK (0-2) AT LYNDEN (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Thursday
Site: Rollie DeKoster Field
What to expect: The Tomahawks want to run the ball, a lot. If the Lions get out ahead by a few scores, Marysville-Pilchuck could start throwing the ball, that’s not what they are built to do. The Tomahawks are one of the few teams that can match Lynden’s size up front, in fact, they might be bigger than Lynden. The Lions will likely take to the air, and use all the field.
Player to watch: Senior left tackle/defensive tackle Blake Holman. He has played all over the line, and is now at left tackle for his senior season. His physicality will go a long way in Lynden’s chances tonight.
Historical significance: This the first time these two teams have played each other.
Moving up the record book: With a victory, Blake VanDalen would tie Herb Langeman for 16th in career wins amongst football coaches in Whatcom County history.
OKANOGAN (2-0) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (1-1)
Time: 6:00 PM Friday
Site: Lynden Christian High School
What to expect: It doesn’t get any easier for the Lyncs, who are back home to take on the defending 2B state champions. Don’t let that “2B” tag fool you, this is an extremely tough team that plays extremely physical. If Lynden Christian plays like it did last week, with a quick passing game, that will go a long way in picking up a victory. The Bulldogs are huge up front.
Player to watch: Sophomore offensive lineman/defensive lineman Kyler Sterk. He’s quickly turning into a great player, and someone that the Lyncs will count on for the next few years. Okangogan wants to out-tough you, and that will be tough to do against Sterk.
Historical significance: This is the first time these two teams have met.
Moving up the record book: Another 196 yards passing for Eli Maberry, and he will become the 27th player in school history to surpass 1,000 career passing yards.
BLAINE (2-0) AT CHELAN (1-1)
Time: 6 PM Friday
Site: Chelan High School
What to expect: This should be a tougher task for the Borderites, who are coming off two big home wins. It’s the perfect test for Blaine, against a team known for its toughness after a long bus ride. The Borderites are averaging 7.7 yards per carry on the season, and have rushed for 11 touchdowns. The last time Blaine began a season 3-0, Coach Olson was 10 months old.
Player to watch: Senior running back/inside linebacker Jaiden Paez. He has already scored eight touchdowns this season, and is averaging 18.3 yards per carry. Electric every time he touches the ball, and after surpassing 1,000 career rushing yards last week, he could be out to grab another 1,000.
Historical significance: This is the first time these two teams have played each other.
Moving up the record book: Another 100 yards rushing for Paez, and he will pass Will Wright, Colby Dixon and Derek Louch on the school’s career rushing list.
BELLINGHAM (0-2) AT ANACORTES (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Anacortes High School
What to expect: This will be an extremely tall task for the Bayhawks, The Seahawks can beat you in so many ways, and they are riding a 15-game winning streak, including the 2A state championship last season. Bellingham will have to play error-free football in this one to have a chance.
Player to watch: Bellingham senior right tackle Finnegan Jensen. One of the players that can match the size and physicality of the Anacortes front. This will be a great test for him.
Historical significance: These two have played each other 40 times since 1973, with Bellingham holding a slight 21-19 advantage. These two teams lit up the scoreboard in 1992 when Bellingham winning 49-42 behind the 298 rushing yards and five touchdowns of Chris Fowler.
Moving up the record book: Last week, Tyler Frost tied Oliver Dougherty for seventh on the school’s career rushing touchdown list. He is now three rushing touchdowns behind Sean Linville, Todd Stephan and Connor Wallace.
LAKEWOOD (1-1) AT SEHOME (1-1)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
What to expect: This could be an extremely entertaining game to watch. A lot of great athletes on the field, and two offenses that come up with a variety of ways to move the ball down the field. This will also be the third conference game for both teams, and a win here will be huge in regarding implications to the new round of 32 playoff system.
Player to watch: Senior wide receiver/safety/kicker Grady Evans. With a possible shootout, making all the extra points will be vital to the outcome. Also, a late-game field goal would come in handy, and he is no stranger to them as he has made seven of them in his career.
Historical significance: These two teams have played each other eight times with Sehome winning five of them, including the last two. In their first meeting in 2007, Sehome won 62-34 with the Mariners getting touchdowns from Justin Santos, Will Moore, Conor Long, Cory Boyd and Gary Tumber.
Moving up the record book: Last week, Nolan Wright passed Casey Locker for 25th in career passing yards in Whatcom County history. He is now 112 yards behind former Lynden quarterback Alex Ellig.
KING’S (0-2) AT NOOKSACK VALLEY (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Sid Lambert Field
What to expect: Although the Knights look to be a little down this year, the Pioneers will not take them lightly. A rivalry has been created over the years, so this will be an intense game. The first game for the home crowd this year, and Nooksack Valley’s balanced attack (6 rushing TDs and 6 passing TDs) will go on the attack early.
Player to watch: Senior left tackle/defensive end Brady Ackerman. I wouldn’t want to play against him in any week, but especially this one. After an iffy call against him last year at the end of the King’s game, he will be out to prove his dominance again and again on Friday night.
Historical significance: These two teams have played each other 12 times, with the Pioneers winning seven of them. They split the last two meetings, with both of them being two-point games.
Moving up the record book: Colton Lentz is seven yards behind Jim Schleimer for 16th in career rushing yards in Whatcom County history.
SQUALICUM (2-0) AT ARCHBISHOP MURPHY (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Terry Ennis Stadium
What to expect: We will find out a lot about the Storm in this one, who have looked pretty good so far. Coach Lucey has his team looking the kind of Squalicum teams we’ve been used to seeing over the years, but the Wildcats are loaded this year. Over the past couple of seasons, the Storm have been tremendous in special teams play, and a few big plays in that phase of the game would go a long way for Squalicum.
Player to watch: Senior running back/linebacker Malakai Smith. A tremendous overall football player that never gives up and always hustles. You combine that with the overall ability that he has, and you’ll see why he’s the kind of player that makes a huge difference between winning and losing.
Historical significance: This is the seventh meeting between the two schools, and it’s currently split at three wins a piece. The Storm on won the 2014 matchup 44-16 behind the 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns of Nick Koetje-Manchester.
Moving up the record book: Coach Nick Lucey is currently tied with Jay Dodd for the 11th most football victories in Whatcom County history.
FERNDALE (0-2) AT MARYSVILLE-GETCHELL (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Quil Ceda Stadium
What to expect: The Golden Eagles will be angry. Ferndale hasn’t started a season 0-3 since 1993, and there is extra motivation here with the Chargers nipping the Golden Eagles last season, 14-13. Ferndale will treat this road game as if it was a playoff game.
Player to watch: Senior offensive and defensive lineman Wyatt Strait. His aggressive play will be on center stage as the Golden Eagles will try to run behind him any chance they get.
Historical significance: These two teams have played each other seven times, with the Chargers coming out on top just the one time, last season. Their first meeting, in 2016, Ferndale won 42-7 with Justice Powell scoring three touchdowns.
Moving up the record book: We keep an eye on Talan Bungard as he continues to climb past impressive names on the school’s all-time rushing list. He currently sits at 23rd place, and another 100 yards would move him past Jacob Broselle, Donny Finkbonner and Kyler Randall.
CENTENNIAL SECONDARY, BC (2-1) AT MOUNT BAKER (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Bob Tisdale Field
What to expect: Back at home for the third week in a row, the Mountaineers have enjoyed success in the early part of this season. Mount Baker is averaging 8.6 yards per carry so far, and I would expect more powerful runs between the tackles. The Centaurs have speed, but can they withstand the Baker toughness?
Player to watch: Senior quarterback/safety Luke Smith. Last week, the Mountaineers opened up the passing game a little bit, and Smith threw for over 100 yards on a 60% completion percentage. It could continue that way, and he will also be a factor against the Centennial passing attack.
Historical significance: This is the first time these two teams have played each other.
Moving up the record book: Dylan Moa surpassed 1,000 rushing last week, and it’s Brady Bruland’s turn next. A 50-yard effort on Friday night would move him past Wilhem Maloley, Cody Lawson, Chad Cain and Cliff Black on the school’s career rushing list.
MERIDIAN (2-0) AT KAMIAK (2-0)
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Frank Goddard Stadium
What to expect: A unique matchup. You don’t see a lot of 1A teams take on 4A teams, but this is what we have. The Trojans won’t be intimidated, they just have to play their brand of football. Although, Meridian might want to stay away from defensive end, Victor Sanchez Hernandez, who happens to be committed to the University of Washington and is also the top junior heavyweight Taekwondo fighter on the planet.
Player to watch: Senior right tackle/outside linebacker Lincoln Hoefer. He could be tasked matching up against Hernandez, and that will be a sight to see play after play.
Historical significance: This is will be the first matchup between these two teams.
Moving up the record book: Jaeger Fyfe has moved past some impressive names on the Whatcom County career passing list. Another impressive player is on the way as Fyfe is 81 yards away from passing Jake Locker on that list.
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