BELLINGHAM AT MOUNT BAKER
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Mount Baker High School
Red Raiders update: Game marks the first for new coach Steve Wilson, who takes over for Doug Trainor. Bellingham finished 2-8 and out of the postseason last year. Marques Reynolds moves to running back from tight end and should be crucial in Red Raiders' new spread offense. Quarterback Justin Pruett returns and has a number of targets to choose from.
Mountaineers update: Mount Baker moves down to Class 1A after reclassification. The Mountaineers, who advanced to the 2A Northwest District playoffs and finished 7-3, won a NWC 2A game between the two schools last year 41-12. Jake Schleimer takes over as the featured running back, but Izaiha Schwinden has also looked strong in camp. Quarterback Andrew Zender returns and should be much improved as a junior.
Key to the game: Both teams have some big holes to fill on the lines, but each has one of the league's best linemen returning in Thomas Vazorka for Bellingham and Tyrel Cronk for Mount Baker.
Player to watch: Zan Roman was Mount Baker's top receiver last year with 15 catches for 382 yards and five TDs. Look for his workload to increase both there and in a rebuilt defensive secondary.
SEHOME AT NOOKSACK VALLEY
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Nooksack Valley High School
Mariners update: Game marks the first for new coach Bob Norvell, who takes over for Darren Tinnerstet. Sehome finished 3-7 and out of the postseason last year. Three-year starter Austin Rapp returns at quarterback and should have a number of receiving threats, including Mo Williams and Willie Lallas. As always, Titi Lamositele figures to be a force at running back and linebacker for Sehome.
Pioneers update: Nooksack Valley advanced to the 1A tri-district playoffs and finished with a 7-3 record last year, but the Pioneers graduated yet another talented senior class. The biggest losses were on the lines, and Nooksack will be much smaller this year. Tanner Myhre takes over at quarterback for older brother Trevon, but he inherits a very talented receiving corps in Trey Handy, Joey Scheffer and Bret Rediger.
Key to the game: Both teams will be looking to rebuild their lines this season. Sehome is led by returner Tyler Haggen, while Matt Aure is a fixture in the center for Nooksack Valley.
Player to watch: Curtis Handy was one of a couple of key transfers Nooksack Valley got this year, filling a void at middle linebacker and providing another option at running back.
KINGSTON AT SQUALICUM
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Civic Stadium
Buccaneers update: Kingston advanced to the West-Central sub-district playoffs, before losing to Steilacoom 38-17 last season. The Buccaneers finished with a 6-4 record overall. W. Todd Harder takes over as coach of the program, after serving as defensive coordinator for three seasons. The team will use two players to replace Olympic League offensive MVP Sam Byers at quarterback, and Tucker Burns is the only returning offensive lineman.
Storm update: Squalicum finished 3-7 and out of the postseason last year. The Storm graduated only eight seniors, so they return plenty of experience. Sophomore Clark Hazlett will start for the second year at quarterback, while Squalicum is loaded at the other skill positions. Luke Weber was the Storm's top runner last year, while Landon Tripp is expected to be a special player at both running back and receiver this year, as well as on defense.
Key to the game: Darrin Leber takes over as Squalicum defensive coordinator and will lead a group that hopes to utilize its speed and athleticism to play an aggressive game and hopefully limit the 31.9 points per game the Storm allowed last year.
Player to watch: Sam Olney returns from an injury that forced him to miss last season and will anchor a speedy, talented linebacking crew that has plenty of depth.
BURLINGTON-EDISON AT MERIDIAN
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Meridian High School
Tigers update: Game marks the first for new coach Herb Lehman, who takes over for Bruce Shearer. The Tigers finished 4-6 and lost in the 2A Northwest District playoffs. The Tigers plan to move to a pistol offense, with returning quarterback Dalton Schwetz running the show. Leading receiver Peter Isaacson will likely be Schwetz's top target, while leading rusher Jeff Bajema also returns.
Trojans update: Meridian went 8-3 last year and advanced to the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs. Senior Max McGuinn returns at quarterback after passing for 2,060 yards and 17 touchdowns. Relijah McMillen (384 yards, 3 TDs) figures to be one of his top targets along with Drake VanderYacht. Junior Castro, who rushed for 212 yards and two TDs in 2011, is the Trojans' top returning running back.
Key to the game: Junior Spencer Blackburn is big and physical up front, and he and returning senior Neal Tilbury will anchor a rebuilding Meridian offensive line.
Player to watch: Letrez Jones transferred to Meridian shortly after suffering an injury while playing lacrosse. Now healthy, he is expected to be one of a couple backs asked to replace the graduated John Murphy.
NEW WESTMINSTER (B.C.) AT BLAINE
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Blaine High School
Hyaks update: New Westminster advanced to the AAA provincial playoffs last season, before losing to Centennial at BC Palace. Angelo Tanjuaquio rushed for more than 100 yards and scored a pair of TDs in a summer camp scrimmage against Blaine that ended in a 21-21 tie. Jordan Chin and Kaeden Hnatow stood out on defense with 5 tackles apiece.
Borderites update: Mario Gobbato nearly broke the state single-season rushing record last year with 2,669 yards to go along with his 38 touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Nate Kramme also returns and is bigger, stronger and more experienced. He and running back Cole Muder should play a large role in bringing some balance to Blaine's offense and lightening the load for Gobbato. The Borderites also drop down to Class 1A this year.
Key to the game: Blaine graduated three starters off its offensive line, but James Fakkema, Palmer Sandel and Caleb Johnson return, and the Borderites feel they have the pieces to pick up right where they left off.
Player to watch: Isaiah Jackson is looking to have a big junior season for Blaine at receiver after he tallied nine catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns in 2011.
FRIDAY HARBOR AT ANACORTES
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Anacortes High School
Wolverines update: Friday Harbor finished 3-7 last year and did not advance to the postseason. The Wolverines return a pair of talented junior running backs in Nathan Steenkolk and Dylan Radden. Donald Galt also returns at quarterback. Jacob Jackson is a returning All-NWC 1A selection on the offensive line.
Seahawks update: Andy Haynie makes his debut as coach at Anacortes. The Seahawks finished 4-6 last year and did not advance to the postseason. Anacortes graduated its quarterback, and its six leading rushers from 2011 are not with the team anymore either. Derek Chase is a three-year starter at linebacker that earned honorable mention All-NWC recognition.
Key to the game: Friday Harbor has not played in Anacortes in the past 15 years, despite being just a ferry ride away.
Player to watch: Receiver A.J. Yost is the most experienced skill-position player that Anacortes returns after he caught 29 passes for 360 yards and four TDs last year.
LYNDEN AT KING'S
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: King's High School, Shoreline
Lions update: Lynden is coming off its first perfect 14-0 season in the program's history and its fourth Class 2A state title in the past six years. The Lions return nine starters on offense, including two-time all-NWC MVP quarterback Josh Kraght. Luke Christianson shifts to the backfield, where he should be able to utilize his game-breaking speed. Matt Meyer and Caleb Newman bookend Lynden's offensive line and are tough to stop coming from each side as defensive ends.
Knights update: King's finished 9-3 last year and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1A state playoffs, before losing to Montesano. Billy Green should be back to quarterback the Knights' offense, after he passed for 2,297 yards last year. Receiver Caleb Taylor also is expected back after he had 961 yards in receptions and 19 touchdowns. The Knights also should return running backs Ben Welch (248 yards, 1 TD) and Trevor Hanson (405 yards, 7 TDs).
Key to the game: This game was not scheduled until Thursday, Aug. 30, after Lynden's Canadian opponent backed out of a Week 1 meeting, so adjustments are going to be key with only a little more than 24 hours to game-plan.
Player to watch: Senior linebacker Jose Martinez is expected to take over at one of Lynden's inside linebacker positions and shouldn't miss a beat.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY AT MOUNT VERNON
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Mount Vernon High School
Cubs update: Game marks the first at Sedro-Woolley for former Oak Harbor and Archbishop Murphy coach Dave Ward. The Cubs finished 7-3 last year, but missed the postseason after losing both their NWC 3A games. This year they drop to Class 2A, but they have a number of holes to fill.
Bulldogs update: Mount Vernon went 7-4 last year and lost in the district playoffs. The Bulldogs got bumped up to Class 4A and left the Northwest Conference to join other 4A teams in the Wesco. Quarterback Bennett Gibson should be back after he passed for a NWC high 2,361 yards last year.
Key to the game: The two teams were former NWC 3A rivals, and Mount Vernon's 16-0 win over Sedro-Woolley ended the Cubs' playoff hopes last year.
Player to watch: Kyle Morgan is the only real experienced skill position player returning for the Cubs, after he rushed for 360 yards and a TD in 2011.
VANCOUVER (B.C.) NOTRE DAME AT FERNDALE
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Ferndale High School
Jugglers update: Notre Dame did not make The Province's Big 5 preseason Triple A rankings by British Columbia coaches, but they just missed, finishing two spots out of the poll.
Golden Eagles update: Ferndale finished 5-5 last season and lost in the district playoffs, missing out on the state playoffs for the first time since 2002. The Golden Eagles return a pair of talented running backs in Alex Conley (team-high 790 yards, 14 touchdowns rushing) and Richmond Baardson (team-high 215 yards, 1 TD receiving). Returner Cameron Ivy headlines a reworked Ferndale offensive line and should be solid at linebacker.
Key to the game: Ferndale has a lot of holes to fill, including at quarterback. The Golden Eagles coaching staff may try a number of different players in different positions in order to help the team prepare for its NWC 2A/3A opener against Sehome next week.
Player to watch: Senior tight end Cameron Massey is the only other returner on Ferndale's offensive front and should also be invaluable on the defensive line.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN AT OMAK
Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
Site: Omak High School
Lyncs update: The Lyncs finished 2-8 last year and lost to Nooksack Valley in the district playoffs. The speed of things seems to be picking up in the second year under coach Galen Kaemingk, as the players settle in. And there also is a whole lot more speed on the team, and receiver Levi Vander Yacht (460 yards, 3 TDs) and Truman Van Dalen (367 yards, 2 TDs) are a big part of that. Isaac Reimer returns at quarterback, and Josh Friberg, along with sophomores Dalton Biehle, Jordan Jansen and Nathan Rusnak should give the Lyncs the ability to get outside from the backfield.
Pioneers update: Omak finished 4-6 last year. The Pioneers are a member of the 1A Caribou Trail League in the North Central District.
Key to the game: Lynden Christian got off to a slow start in 2011, losing its first seven games and allowing 40.5 points per game during that span. Getting off to a quick start is important this year.
Player to watch: Senior Will Scholten returns from an injury-plagued 2011, and the fullback should be a big help to LC's relatively young running back stable.
POMEROY AT LUMMI
Time: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1
Site: Lummi Nation School
Pirates update: Pomeroy finished 10-2 and advanced to the Class 1B state semifinals before losing to eventual champion Almira-Coulee Hartline. Lummi coach Jim Sandusky says the Pirates have one of the better senior quarterbacks in the state, though they did lose three to four starters off last year's team.
Blackhawks update: Lummi finished 11-1 and lost to Neah Bay in the first round of the 1B state playoffs. They return a lot from last year's team, including all three senior offensive linemen and quarterback Jared Tom, who passed for 2,364 yards and 35 TDs last year. Tom has a host of receiving targets to choose from, including Austin Brockie (1,184 yards, 21 TDs). Deion Hoskins also is back at running back after his 623-yard, 12-touchdown season.
Key to the game: Excitement is going to be high for Lummi, as the Blackhawks break in their new $1.3 million FieldTurf surface. The Lummi Nation will host a tailgate party at 11:30 a.m., followed by a field dedication at 12:30 p.m.
Player to watch: Jordan Deardorff caught 17 passes for 317 yards and four TDs last year, and figures to be an even bigger factor in the Lummi offense and defense this year.
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
