SEHOME AT BURLINGTON-EDISON
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5
Site: Burlington-Edison High School
Mariners update: Though coach Bob Norvell thought his team played pretty well, Sehome (1-4, 1-2 NWC 2A/3A) suffered a 41-0 loss to Lynden last week. Quarterback Austin Rapp returned and rushed for 106 yards, while Forrest Longanecker had 52 yards on five carries, but the Sehome defense allowed Lynden 261 yards rushing and three touchdown passes. Running back Titi Lamositele leads the team with 351 yards rushing, while exciting backup QB Daniel Ziegler has rushed for a team-high five TDs.
Tigers update: Burlington-Edison (4-1, 2-1) rebounded from a resounding defeat against Ferndale to overwhelm Anacortes 52-7 last week. Leading rusher Jae Evans (380 yards, 9 TDs) did not have any carries in the game, but the Tigers still got rushing touchdowns from three different backs - Tyler Morrison, Jeff Bajema and Tony Cavazos. Quarterback Dalton Schwetz also passed for a pair of TDs, and Burlington returned a punt and an interception for touchdowns in the game.
Key to the game: Sehome's got to tighten up against the run to keep things close. This season, the Mariners are allowing 218.4 yards per game and 6.0 yards per rush attempt.
Player to watch: Sehome freshman Taylor Rapp has already shown he has plenty of play-making ability and is stout in the Mariners' defensive secondary. Rapp has rushed for 123 yards and leads the team with seven catches for 105 yards.
FERNDALE AT SEDRO-WOOLLEY
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5
Site: Sedro-Woolley High School
Golden Eagles update: Ferndale (5-0, 3-0 NWC 2A/3A) pulled away with a number of big plays to beat Squalicum 41-14 in a battle of unbeatens last week. In the first five weeks of the season, the Golden Eagles have had four different leading rushers behind a very effective Ferndale offensive front. Last week it was Richmond Baardson with 152 yards at a TD on nine carries. Alex Conley also rushed for 128 yards and two scores and stands second in the NWC with 722 yards and 16 TDs.
Cubs update: Sedro-Woolley (2-3, 1-2) took advantage of a porous Bellingham defense in a 54-13 victory last week. The Cubs piled up 333 yards on the ground, led by Shawn Kennedy's 145 yards and two touchdowns. Starting quarterback Braden Blouin also chipped in 106 yards and two TDs through the air, while Kyle Morgan passed for 61 yards and another two TDs.
Key to the game: Ferndale's defensive front has done an excellent job the past two weeks of getting penetration in opponents' backfields and disrupting plays. If that continues, look for the Golden Eagles to move to 6-0.
Player to watch: Though only 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Ferndale's Kameron Mckay is a disruptive force up front on defense. On the other side of the line, he is a big part of the Ferndale offensive line that has opened holes for Ferndale backs to already roll up 1,925 yards and 31 TDs so far this year.
ANACORTES AT SQUALICUM
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5
Site: Civic Stadium
Seahawks update: Anacortes (0-5, 0-3 NWC 2A/3A) continued to struggle last week, suffering a 52-7 loss to Burlington-Edison. Nick Monroe led the team with 58 yards and the Seahawks' only TD, while quarterback Andrew Medalia passed for 95 yards and was intercepted once. Anacortes has scored only 35 points so far this season, as its offense is averaging only 203.4 yards per game. Meanwhile the Seahawks are allowing 36.6 points and 300.8 yards per game.
Storm update: Squalicum (4-1, 2-1) suffered its first loss, as a number of big plays turned the tide in a 41-14 loss at Ferndale last week. Luke Weber rushed for 81 yards but was kept out of the end zone for the first time this year. He is fourth in the NWC with 584 yards and nine TDs. Mac Novak and Clark Hazlett each had TD runs. Hazlett passed for 86 yards but was intercepted twice in the game. Ben Garcia is the team's leading receiver with eight catches for 205 yards and two TDs.
Key to the game: A week after not allowing a single rushing yard against Abbottsford Collegiate, Squalicum surrendered 367 against Ferndale at 9.0 yards a clip. The Storm must tighten up against a Sedro squad that had a big night running the ball last week.
Player to watch: Squalicum senior Kyle Stallo is a talented defensive end, who has shown an aptitude for disrupting opponents' offenses. A big game from him will certainly help the Storm slow up the Cubs' rushing attack.
BELLINGHAM AT LYNDEN
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5
Site: Lynden High School
Red Raiders update: Continued defensive struggles and an off night by the offense hurt Bellingham (0-5, 0-3 NWC 2A/3A) in a 54-13 loss to Sedro-Woolley last week. The team averaged 2.1 yards on 16 rushes in the game, while quarterback Justin Pruett, who entered the game completing 51.7 percent of his passes, hit only 5 of 16 against the Cubs. Reserve QB Kyle Redmond passed for 63 yards and a TD to Darice Haywood, who also caught one from Pruett to finish with 79 yards on three receptions.
Lions update: Lynden (4-1, 3-0) kept rolling with a 41-0 victory over Sehome last week. Quarterback Josh Kraght had a big day running (10 carries, 97 yards, 2 TDs) and passing (12-13, 170 yards, 3 TDs) last week. Running back Luke Christianson led the team with 115 yards rushing and with 66 yards and two TDs receiving. The defense, meanwhile, pitched its second shutout of the season, and has allowed only 26 points since it surrendered 42 in the season opener against high-powered King's.
Key to the game: The Bellingham defense is allowing 506.4 yards per game and has held only one opponent under 40 points this season. That bodes well for the high-powered Lynden attack, which is averaging 452.6 yards and 43.8 points per game.
Player to watch: After breaking his collarbone in the second practice in August, Lynden's Zach Vis now has enough practices to be eligible to return this week. Vis was an all-state receiver last year, after leading the team with 1,227 yards and 14 TDs, and honorable mention all-state at safety.
MOUNT BAKER AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5
Site: Lynden Christian
Mountaineers update: Mount Baker (4-1, 1-0 NWC 1A) opened league play in impressive fashion, beating visiting Nooksack Valley 59-14. Running back Jake Schleimer led the charge, rushing for 245 yards and three touchdowns and helping the Mountaineers average 9.1 yards per carry. Quarterback Andrew Zender completed both his pass attempts, including a 24-yard TD to Zan Roman. The Baker defense also had a big game, forcing three turnovers and holding the Pioneers to 64 yards rushing on 17 attempts.
Lyncs update: The league opener wasn't quite as kind to Lynden Christian (3-2, 0-1), as it fell 30-0 to Blaine. The LC defense allowed 338 yards rushing at 12.5 yards an attempt in the game. Running back Josh Friberg rushed for 52 yards to up his team-leading total to 257. Quarterback Isaac Reimer passed for 74 yards but is still seeking his first TD pass of the season. The Lyncs have a pair of 200-yard receivers in Levi Vander Yacht (14 catches, 269 yards, 1 TD) and Truman Van Dalen (16 catches, 273 yards, 1 TD).
Key to the game: Lynden Christian has got to slow up the Mount Baker running game, which has 817 yards and 14 TDs in the last two weeks, alone. The LC defense, meanwhile, has allowed 1,073 yards and nine TDs this season.
Player to watch: While Schleimer leads the team in rushing, defenses can't forget about Izaiha Schwinden, who had his third 100-yard game last week and scored three TDs. Schwinden enters with 463 yards and six TDs on 42 carries (11.0 average).
BLAINE AT FRIDAY HARBOR
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5
Site: Friday Harbor High School
Borderites update: Blaine (4-1, 1-0 NWC 1A) picked up its first shutout of the season with a 30-0 win over Lynden Christian last week. The Borderites' defense was outstanding, limiting LC to 159 yards of total offense and a 2.2 yards-per-carry average. Running back Mario Gobbato picked up his second straight 300-yard rushing game and broke the Whatcom County career rushing record in the process. He now has 1,315 yards and 17 touchdowns this season and has accounted for 59.4 percent of Blaine's total offense this year.
Wolverines update: Friday Harbor (4-1, 0-1) suffered its first loss of the year in a close one, 27-26 at Meridian last week. The Wolverines scored two second-half TDs to take the lead, only to see Meridian come back to get the win. Running back Nathan Steenkolk rushed for 170 yards and three TDs, while backfield mate Micah Powell added another TD. The pair has combined for 975 yards and 13 TDs so far this season. The 27 points allowed were the most by the defense, which already has three shutouts under its belt.
Key to the game: This will be Blaine's first trip ferry as part of the NWC 1A, and they'll be facing a Friday Harbor team that is the school's best in years. That means they'll probably rely on what they do best - feed the ball to No. 44.
Player to watch: Palmer Sandel and the rest of the Blaine offensive line has obviously come together very nicely after a number of graduations last year. Blaine has already rushed for 1,813 yards and 20 TDs and is averaging 8.8 yards per carry.
MERIDIAN AT NOOKSACK VALLEY
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5
Site: Nooksack Valley
Trojans update: Evan Childs' 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter gave Meridian (3-2, 1-0 NWC 1A) a 27-26 victory over Friday Harbor last week. Quarterback Max McGuinn led the Trojans with 56 yards and two touchdowns rushing. He also passed for 126 yards, with Relijah McMillen catching three passes for a team-high 46 yards. Meridian has won three straight now, but those victories have come by a combined 20 points. After surrendering 41.5 points per game points the first two weeks, the Meridian defense has clamped down to allow only 15.3 the past three games.
Pioneers update: Nooksack Valley (3-2, 0-1) suffered a 59-14 loss at Mount Baker last week. The Pioneers defense allowed 418 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in the game. Quarterback Tanner Myhre passed for 209 yards and leads the conference with 1,104 yards through the air this year. His two TD throws went to Curtis Handy, but Myhre also threw two interceptions. Myhre also leads the team with 287 yards and four TDs on the ground this season.
Key to the game: Meridian's pass defense has surrendered only 40 yards the past three weeks combined. How well they are able to disrupt the high-powered Nooksack Valley passing attack could determine the outcome of this one.
Player to watch: Nooksack Valley receiver Trey Handy leads the NWC with 32 catches for 475 yards and nine TDs, but he was held out of the end zone for the first time this season last week. He needs to be a factor against what is proving to be a stout Meridian defensive backfield.
LUMMI AT CRESCENT
Time: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6
Site: Crescent High School, Joyce
Blackhawks update: Lummi (3-2, 0-1 NWFL 1B) jumped ahead but was held scoreless in the second half of a 48-28 loss to rival Neah Bay last week. The usually high-powered offensive attack turned the ball over four times in the game. Deion Hoskins rushed for 78 yards and a TD, while Dimitri Sampson caught 10 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Sampson leads the team with 349 yards receiving, though Austin Brockie is right behind with 332 yards.
Loggers update: Crescent (5-0, 1-0) came from 20 points down in the first half to beat Clallam Bay 36-20 last week. Derek Findley scored four of Crescent's five touchdowns - two on runs of 40 and 76 yards, one on pass reception and another on an interception return. Findley finished with 183 yards rushing and 131 more receiving. Gene Peppard had a team-high 19 tackles, while Mike Zapien added 14.
Key to the game: Last week's loss hurt the Blackhawks, no doubt - you never want to lose to a rival, especially on your home turf. How Lummi bounces back on a long road trip against a very good team will say a lot about the character of this team.
Player to watch: Lummi quarterback Jared Tom has passed for 860 yards and three TDs this season. As a senior, the Blackhawks need him to step up and be a leader to help the team bounce back.
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
