FERNDALE AT BURLINGTON-EDISON

Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Site: Burlington-Edison High School

Golden Eagles update: Ferndale (3-0, 1-0 NWC 2A/3A) overwhelmed Garfield 62-12 last week, allowing only 180 yards of total offense. After allowing 146 yards passing in the first week of the season, the Golden Eagles secondary has surrendered only 18 combined the past two weeks. Anthony Fleck is proving to be a solid secondary option out of the backfield to Alex Conley, as he rushed for 127 yards and a TD last week. Conley leads the NWC with 12 rushing TDs and is second with 479 yards on the ground.

Tigers update: No. 7 Burlington (3-0, 1-0) won a 49-43 shootout with Skagit County rival Mount Vernon last week. Jae Evans led the charge, rushing for 138 yards and two touchdowns and scoring a third on a kickoff return. Tyler Morrison and Jeff Bajema also each rushed for more than 60 yards and two touchdowns, but the Tigers showed decent balance, as quarterback Dalton Schwetz passed for 112 yards and a touchdown last week and has five TD throws so far this year.

Key to the game: This is the first time these two old rivals have played in five seasons, and the first time they've met in a meaningful game since 2005. The rivalry has produced some pretty good games in the past, and that certainly could be the case this year, as both teams look to stay unbeaten.

Player to watch: Linebacker Cameron Ivy and Ferndale's entire starting front seven should be tested by a Burlington running game that is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and has scored 13 TDs during the first three weeks.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY AT LYNDEN

Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Site: Lynden High School

Cubs update: Sedro-Woolley (1-2, 0-1 NWC 2A/3A) picked up its first victory of the season, coming back to beat Nooksack Valley 32-27 last week. The win was the first under new coach Dave Ward. Shawn Kennedy rushed for 155 yards and a TD, and has 350 yards so far this season. Mason Elms added 84 yards and a TD on the ground, while quarterback Braden Blouin passed for a 151 yards and hit Elms for a touchdown, though he was picked off twice.

Lions update: No. 3 Lynden (2-1, 1-0) picked up its second straight victory with a running clock, beating Mount Baker 55-14 last week. Quarterback Josh Kraght passed for 234 yards and a touchdown and tacked on a 25-yard TD run. Reserve running back Trent Postma had his second straight strong game, as he filled in for the injured Luke Christianson, rushing for 62 yards and a touchdown, though he also left the game with a dislocated knee cap. Receiver Jalani Phelps pulled in four passes for 128 yards, including a 69-yard TD catch and run.

Key to the game: Getting and staying healthy is obviously important for Lynden, especially at the running back position, as the two teams meet for the first time since 2005.

Player to watch: Running back Jaremy Martin filled in at running back after Postma left, rushing for 57 yards and two touchdowns. At linebacker, he also is in the middle of a Lynden defense that has allowed only 14 points the past two weeks.

ANACORTES AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN

Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Site: Lynden Christian

Seahawks update: Anacortes (0-3) got its first points of the year, but still fell 48-14 to Sehome last week. Both touchdowns came through the air, as A.J. Yost and Nick Monroe were on the receiving end of passes from Tristen Hayes and Andrew Medalia, respectively. But those were the only real bright spots for a team that has averaged only 179.3 yards per game while allowing opponents nearly twice as much (356.0) so far this year.

Lyncs update: Lynden Christian (2-1) picked up its second win of the season 51-14 over Coupeville last week. The Lyncs excelled in all three facets of the game, as they piled up 324 yards of total offense, returned two fumbles for touchdowns on defense and a blocked punt for a score on special teams. Josh Friberg rushed for 45 yards and touchdown, while Jordan Jansen added 40 yards and two scores in the game. Truman Van Dalen was the top receiver with 66 yards and a TD.

Key to the game: The Lyncs have already matched their win total from 2011, and a big part of the reason for the improvement is defense. They have allowed only 11.7 points per game so far this season, and Anacortes has struggled to put the ball in the end zone.

Player to watch: LC lineman Joe Kooiman scored one of the Lyncs' two defensive touchdowns last week and is a big part of the reason the team is averaging 5.3 yards per carry on the ground this year.

SEHOME AT MERIDIAN

Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Site: Meridian High School

Mariners update: Sehome (1-2) grabbed an impressive 47-14 victory over Anacortes. Reserve quarterback Daniel Ziegler stepped in for Austin Rapp and completed all 12 passes he attempted for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Titi Lamositele also chipped in a solid night with 84 yards and a touchdown. The Sehome defense limited Anacortes to 186 yards of total offense and capped off the night with Jesse Haggen returning an interception for a TD.

Trojans update: Meridian (1-2) claimed a 20-7 victory over Canadian school Lord Tweedsmuir. Quarterback Max McGuinn passed for three touchdowns - one each to Relijah McMillen, Trevin Todd and Drake VanderYacht. The Trojans also rushed for 238 yards in the game, including an impressive 123 yards on 23 carries by Junior Castro. Letrez Jones chipped in 51 yards on 10 carries. The Meridian defense was outstanding, limiting Lord Tweedsmuir to 87 yards of total offense.

Key to the game: Both teams are coming off their first victories of the season, and each wants to carry that momentum into next week, when league play starts in earnest.

Player to watch: Sehome receiver Bo Banner scored touchdowns both receiving and rushing last week and was a beast on the defensive side of the ball with two quarterback sacks.

BLAINE AT BELLINGHAM

Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Site: Civic Stadium

Borderites update: No. 7 Blaine (2-1) suffered its first loss of the season, as a questionable call on a late two-point conversion prevented Blaine from tying the game in a 22-20 loss at Lakewood last week. Running back Mario Gobbato surpassed 200 yards rushing for the third straight week this year, but needed 40 carries to make the mark this time. Quarterback Nate Kramme added 109 yards and a touchdown passing, with Tyler Kelly on the receiving end.

Red Raiders update: Bellingham (0-3) lost 42-20 to crosstown rival Squalicum last week. Quarterback Justin Pruett passed for 245 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another. His top receiver was Darice Haywood, who caught 10 passes for 143 yards and a TD - all in the first half to help the Red Raiders keep it close. Running back Marques Reynolds returned from a Week 1 injury and rushed for 81 yards, and Melvin Deal added 51 more.

Key to the game: Containing Gobbato is any team's biggest goal entering games against Blaine. Bellingham has struggled to stop the run, as opponents have averaged 7.3 yards rushing this year and have scored 10 TDs on the ground.

Player to watch: Blaine receiver Isaiah Jackson caught three passes for 63 yards last week, showing he has plenty of big-play potential for the Borderites.

NOOKSACK VALLEY AT COUPEVILLE

Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Site: Coupeville High School

Pioneers update: Nooksack Valley (2-1) suffered its first loss of the season, as Sedro-Woolley came back to grab a 32-27 victory. Quarterback Tanner Myhre had a big game, rushing for 91 yards and two touchdowns and passing for 205 yards and two more scores, but he was intercepted three times. Trey Handy was his top receiver, catching seven passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, and he leads the NWC with 346 yards and seven touchdown catches.

Wolves update: Coupeville (0-3) lost 51-14 at Lynden Christian last week. Quarterback Gunnar Langvold rushed for both Wolves' scores in the game and passed for 102 yards. The Wolves rushed for 130 yards on 37 attempts, but had two fumbles returned for touchdowns, as well as a blocked punt. In all, the Lyncs accounted for 324 yards of total offense in the game.

Key to the game: The Wolves enter the game on an 11-game losing streak - their last win coming in Week 1 of the 2011 season at Port Townsend. Nooksack Valley hopes to extend that to a dozen and head into NWC 1A play on a high note.

Player to watch: Nooksack lineman Matt Aure is a big body in the middle who will play a key role in the Pioneers' improving upon the 256 yards and four touchdowns rushing they allowed Sedro-Woolley last week.

CEDARCREST AT MOUNT BAKER

Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Site: Mount Baker High School

Red Wolves update: Cedarcrest (1-2) dropped its second straight 19-14 at Sultan last week, allowing two touchdown passes in the final 1:30 of the game. Isaiah Ryder scored both Red Wolves touchdowns on short passes from Adam Davenport. Cedarcrest's only win came at Sammamish in Week 1.

Mountaineers update: Mount Baker (2-1) allowed 498 yards of total offense and lost 55-14 at Lynden last week. The Mountaineers defense was carved up for 190 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in the game. Running back Jake Schleimer was the lone bright spot offensively, as he rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Quarterback Andrew Zender passed for 53 yards but was intercepted once. Dylan Howard returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Key to the game: With the NWC 1A schedule starting next week, Mount Baker needs to get back on track right away in a matchup of teams that advanced to the 2A Northwest District playoffs last year.

Player to watch: Mount Baker lineman Jake Larsen will be instrumental in Mount Baker cutting down on the 439 yards rushing they have allowed the past two weeks.

ABBOTSFORD COLLEGIATE (B.C.) AT SQUALICUM

Time: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Site: Civic Stadium

Panthers update: Abbotsford (0-2) got shut out 40-0 by John Barsby last week. The Panthers allowed five rushing touchdowns in the game. A week earlier, the Panthers allowed 324 yards rushing in a 40-0 loss to New Westminster.

Storm update: Squalicum (3-0) pulled away from crosstown rival Bellingham in the second half to win 42-20 last week. Quarterback Clark Hazlett passed for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the game, while Luke Weber had a big game on the ground, rushing for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Nick Manchester added 85 yards and another TD, as the Storm finished with 289 yards and averaged 6.9 per carry. The Squalicum defense allowed 395 yards of total offense but pitched a shutout in the second half.

Key to the game: Abbotsford obviously has a problem stopping the run. With Weber, Manchester and Brandon LeDoux, the Storm certainly has the horses to exploit that.

Player to watch: Ben Garcia has developed into Squalicum's top receiving threat, as he caught three passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns last week.

LUMMI AT EVERGREEN LUTHERAN

Time: 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Site: Auburn Mountainview High School

Blackhawks update: No. 5 Lummi (2-1) rebounded from an 11-man loss to beat Taholah 59-24 last week. Jared Tom passed for 197 yards and five touchdowns to four different receivers - one each to Austin Brockie, Jordan Deardorff and Enrique Medina. Devin Cooper was the Blackhawks' top rusher with 47 yards on three carries. The Lummi defense, meanwhile, allowed only 24 yards rushing on 19 attempts, allowing the team to jump out to a 51-8 halftime lead.

Eagles update: Evergreen (0-3) lost 58-38 at Crescent last week. The Eagles found themselves in a 24-6 hole by the end of the first quarter and were never able to recover, as they allowed 276 yards rushing and six touchdowns to Crescent's Eric Larson and 163 yards passing to Beau Banner.

Key to the game: If Evergreen Lutheran struggled with Crescent's playmakers, it's hard to imagine what the Eagles will do with Lummi's wealth of skill position players.

Player to watch: Dimitri Sampson is quickly developing into one of Lummi's top threats, as he rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 46 yards and two more scores last week.

Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.