SQUALICUM AT SEHOME
Time: 5 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
When Squalicum has the ball: Could the Storm be back to full health? If so, the offense might really get rolling. Senior Reed Richardson played well at quarterback last week, and after the way last week’s game ended, I would imagine they want to really prove what they can do. Last week was also the roughest for the Mariner defense so far this year, but senior defensive lineman had a monster game with 12 tackles.
When Sehome has the ball: The Mariner offense did some good things last week, and overall it’s been a very well-rounded units with really no weaknesses. The Squalicum defense enjoys bringing pressure, and are seven linebackers deep. It seems like it doesn’t matter who’s out there, they have playmakers. Evan Brown and Rizon Takabe played huge roles defensively last week.
Matchup to watch: Squalicum senior quarterback Reed Richardson versus Sehome junior strong safety Max Malo. Richardson showed last week that he’s a dual threat at quarterback, and Malo can match him with every snap as one of the best safeties against both the run and the pass.
NOOKSACK VALLEY AT MERIDIAN
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Meridian High School
When Nooksack Valley has the ball: The Pioneers will spread the field, but they will also run the ball down your throat. The mixing and matching will be the key, and Jordan Silva’s speed will be something that the Trojans will need to bottle up. Meridian have more overall stops behind the line of scrimmage than any other team in Whatcom County, and the aggressiveness has led to three straight victories.
When Meridian has the ball: The Trojans have weapons all over the field, and they found another one last Friday night with Joshtyn Elmer. Quarterback Tucker Harrison leads the county in passing yards, and his job will be finding that one open player on any given play. The Pioneers have great team speed on defense that will make the passing windows much smaller than usual.
Matchup to watch: Nooksack Valley sophomore lineman John Stremler versus Meridian senior lineman Josh Groen. Groen has a Whatcom County-leading 9.5 sacks so far this season, and containing him will be tough. It’s a good thing that “Toughness” is Stremler’s middle name.
LYNDEN AT CEDARCREST
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Cedarcrest High School
When Lynden has the ball: The Lion offense might be set to explode this week. The two-headed running back monster of Lane Heeringa and Campbell Nolte has been strong, and with senior wide receiver Kaleo Jandoc fully healthy, he’s showing what kind of weapon he can be.
When Cedarcrest has the ball: It’s going to be hard for the Red Wolves to score points. The Lynden defense has been on point all season, with great size and speed all over the field. Reading and reacting is the name of the game, and junior Collin Anker and senior Ryan Kleindel are playing light’s out in the secondary at this points in the season.
Player to watch: Senior wide receiver Kaleo Jandoc. As stated earlier, he’s fully healthy, and showing everyone how great he is. He’s been that homerun threat in the receiving game that Lynden has needed for a while now.
FERNDALE AT MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK
Time: 7 PM Friday
Site: Quil Ceda Stadium
When Ferndale has the ball: The Golden Eagles have to limit the fumbles in this matchup, an issue that looks like was taken care of last week against Mount Vernon. This isn’t your normal Ferndale team that runs the ball 90% of the time. Senior quarterback Mark Schlichting is given the chance to throw more than usual, and he’s making it work. Marysville-Pilchuck will have to be ready for everything on defense.
When Marysville-Pilchuck has the ball: Tomahawk senior running back Dylan Carson is great. Like, he’s almost at 1,000 yards rushing so far this season kinda great. Stopping him will be key, and he’s running behind a huge offensive line. Linebacker Elijah McCormick (23 tackles) and Jake Mason (20.5 tackles) have been the big play-makers on defense, and they will both need to have impactful games to get the win.
Player to watch for: Junior center/defensive tackle Landen Hatchett. Already one of the top centers in the nation, this is the game that he will need to play his best, and you can bet he’ll be up for it. Stopping him on defense won’t be easy either.
BLAINE AT ARCHBISHOP MURPHY
Time: 7:30 PM Friday
Site: Terry Ennis Stadium
When Blaine has the ball: It’s been a while since the big-play Borderites have taken the field, and you can bet they are chomping at the bit to get back out there. Senior quarterback Avery Dohner is enjoying a terrific season, and it will be tough to slow him down. He has a great feel in the pocket, and many weapons around him.
When Archbishop Murphy has the ball: The Wildcats also have a great quarterback, that can really make the big throws down the field. Collapsing the pocket might be the key, and forcing him through the middleisi what senior inside linebacker Spencer Dalry is hoping for.
Player to watch: Senior wide receiver/safety Jaxon Kortlever. During lockdown, he transformed his body into a play-making machine, and it’s been transferring to the football field. He leads the county in receiving yardage and interceptions while playing in half as many games as most of the other players.
ANACORTES AT BELLINGHAM
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Site: Civic Stadium
When Anacortes has the ball: The Seahawks have scored big points in their three wins, but were shut out in their only loss (which was against Sehome) The linebacking combo of Daniel Reyes and Finn O’Malley is extremely strong, and the interior play of Nathaniel Gass has been impressive.
When Bellingham has the ball: The Bayhawks got off to a great start last week, but it was self-inflicted wounds that slowed them down. Last week saw nine pre-snap penalties and nearly as many dropped passes, and that can’t happen again. Slot receiver Lucas Cousens had a break-out game, though, with over 100 yards receiving on just three receptions.
Player to watch for: Junior running back/outside linebacker Logan Steeves. He missed last week’s contest against Meridian, but he should be back for this one. His tough running style could be exactly what Bellingham needs, and his ability to play pass coverage as an outside linebacker has been great.
MOUNT BAKER AT ELMA
Time: 4:00 PM Saturday
Site: Elma High School
When Mount Baker has the ball: The Mountaineers will continue their road trip, this time stopping in Elma. I’m not sure who will start at quarterback tonight, but Baker has had two weeks to get ready. I expect them to be sharp, and you can bet that a steady diet of counters, traps and dives are coming.
When Elma has the ball: The play of senior middle linebacker Davin Beason will allow others to be put in great situations. The sophomore pass rushers (Alex Maloley, Vance Lawrence and Jesse Harward) have been an added bonus for the Mountaineers, and Wyatt Pettigrew (two interceptions against Seattle Prep) is becoming a cornerback that you don’t want to test.
Player to watch for: Senior running back/safety Jesse Sande. Despite playing in just three games so far this season, no player in Whatcom County has more all-purpose yards than Sande. A dependable player that fights for every single yard he gets.
