FRIDAY HARBOR AT MOUNT BAKER
Time: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Site: Mount Baker High School
Wolverines update: Friday Harbor (4-2, 0-2 NWC 1A) suffered its second heart-breaking league loss in as many weeks, falling 26-19 to Blaine last week. The Wolverines have a pair of strong running backs in Nathan Steenkolk (647 yards, 9 TDs) and Micah Powell (485 yards, 5 TDs). Their physical defense also held Blaine's Mario Gobbato to less than 200 yards rushing for the first time this season. Donald Galt is a versatile athlete that defenses must account for on every play.
Mountaineers update: Mount Baker (5-1, 2-0) won its third straight, beating Lynden Christian 43-26 last week. Zan Roman broke open what was a close game after the first quarter with his third return touchdown of the season. The Mountaineers also rushed for 335 yards and four TDs on 41 attempts, and stand only 96 yards shy of 2,000 for the season, as they are averaging 8.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Andrew Zender has passed for 454 yards and six TDs this season.
Key to the game: Friday Harbor has given Meridian and Blaine all they could handle during the first two weeks of the NWC 1A season. Mount Baker had better come ready to play if it wants to remain tied atop the league standings.
Player to watch: This figures to be a physical type of game you look for Mount Baker's Jake Schleimer to thrive in. Schleimer, who is third in the NWC with 843 yards and 13 TDs, had his fourth 100-yard performance last week with 143 yards and three TDs.
CLALLAM BAY AT LUMMI
Time: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Site: Lummi Nation School
Bruins update: Clallam Bay (2-3, 0-2 NWFL 1B) suffered a 52-16 loss at Lopez last week. The Bruins' Matt Mohr rushed for 211 yards and posted a team-high 16 tackles during the first three quarters, but left the game in the fourth with an elbow injury. Clallam Bay trailed only 26-16 at the time. Quarterback Austin Ritter and Jeremy Rock both ran for TDs in the third quarter for the Bruins, who finished with 350 yards rushing.
Blackhawks update: Fourth-ranked Lummi (5-2, 1-1) won its second game in five days, beating Muckleshoot Tribal 71-28 on Wednesday, Oct. 10. The Blackhawks relied on the big play, as they got return touchdowns on a punt and a kickoff from Dimitri Sampson and an interception. Running back Deion Hoskins had his second straight 100-yard rushing night and scored a pair of TDs, while Sampson scored five total with three more on the ground.
Key to the game: This will mark the Blackhawks' third game in six days and their second in less than 48 hours, so fatigue could definitely become an issue. Lummi will most likely use its depth to get through this one.
Player to watch: Lummi defensive end Richard Edwards returned an interception for a touchdown on Wednesday and was a big part of a Blackhawks defense that held Muckleshoot to less than 50 yards rushing in the game.
BELLINGHAM AT FERNDALE
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Site: Ferndale High School
Red Raiders update: Bellingham (0-6, 0-4 NWC 2A/3A) lost 43-13 at Lynden last week. On the positive side, the Red Raiders defense surrendered only 288 yards of total offense to the high-powered Lions, but 230 of that came on the ground at 8.8 yards per attempt. Marques Reynolds turned in his first 100-yard rushing game with 103 on 19 carries, while Kyle Redmond snared a pair of touchdown passes from Justin Pruett. Pruett is second in the conference with 1,042 yards passing this year.
Golden Eagles update: Sixth-ranked Ferndale (6-0, 4-0) overwhelmed Sedro-Woolley 55-14 last week. The Golden Eagles have now scored 40 or more points in five of their six games and have amassed 2,314 yards and 36 touchdowns on the ground. Hank Hilts led the way last week with 133 yards and a pair of TDs last week, while Joey Akers added 51 yards and a TD. Cooper Clark also passed for a season-high 97 yards and two TDs, while the defense limited Sedro to 54 yards rushing and a 2.3 average.
Key to the game: This one obviously appears to be a mismatch, but Ferndale must stay focused. With a showdown against Lynden looming only seven days away, it would be easy to peek ahead rather than take care of business against the Red Raiders.
Player to watch: Ferndale running back Alex Conley is second in the NWC with 847 yards and 17 TDs rushing. He runs hard downhill and will break any arm tackles, so Bellingham better come ready to wrap up better than it has the first six weeks of the season.
SQUALICUM AT SEHOME
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Site: Civic Stadium
Storm update: Squalicum (5-1, 3-1 NWC 2A/3A) bounced back from its first loss of the season to grab a 28-7 victory over Anacortes after the two teams were tied at the half. Luke Weber rushed for 79 yards and a TD in the game, while Nick Manchester added 77 and a pair of scores. Ben Garcia caught three passes for 29 yards and a TD. The Storm defense turned in a solid effort, limiting Anacortes to 140 yards of total offense and forcing five turnovers.
Mariners update: Sehome (2-4, 2-2) shocked Burlington-Edison 30-29, thrusting itself into the middle of the NWC 2A/3A postseason race in the process. Speedy Daniel Ziegler led the charge, scoring three touchdowns - two running the ball and one on a 95-yard kickoff return. Sam Diehl also booted a field goal, which proved to be the difference in the game. Titi Lamositele rushed for 64 yards, upping his season total to 415 yards and two touchdowns.
Key to the game: This city rivalry means a little something extra this year, with both teams battling for a spot in the 2A Northwest District playoffs. Keeping emotions in check and staying focused on the game will be key for both sidelines.
Player to watch: Sehome quarterback Austin Rapp had his second straight 100-yard rushing game, as he went for 128 yards and a TD on 12 carries last week. He hasn't had a big game passing in a while, but the senior has more than enough athleticism to burn teams with his feet, as well.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY AT ANACORTES
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Site: Anacortes High School
Cubs update: Sedro-Woolley (2-4, 1-3 NWC 2A/3A) suffered a 55-14 loss to Ferndale last week. The Cubs were held to a season-low 194 yards of total offense in the game, including only 54 on the ground, where they averaged 2.3 yards per game. Quarterback Braden Blouin passed for 140 yards, with Mason Elms catching four passes for 74 yards.
Seahawks update: Anacortes (0-6, 0-4) was even with Squalicum at halftime, but ended up losing 28-7 last week. The Seahawks have now scored 42 points this season and just surpassed 1,000 yards of total offense last week (1,157). Nick Monroe rushed for 82 yards last week and is the team's top ground gainer with 259 yards and two TDs.
Key to the game: Sedro-Woolley needs a win to keep its dimming hopes of making it to the playoffs alive, while Anacortes just needs a win.
Player to watch: Sedro-Woolley running back Shawn Kennedy rushed for 58 yards and scored both Cubs touchdowns last week. He leads the team with 617 yards and five TDs on the ground this season.
LYNDEN AT BURLINGTON-EDISON
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Site: Burlington-Edison High School
Lions update: Third-ranked Lynden (5-1, 4-0 NWC 2A/3A) rolled past Burlington-Edison 43-13 last week. Quarterback Josh Kraght welcomed Zach Vis to the field by hitting him with four passes for 47 yards and a pair of TDs. The all-state receiver and safety missed the first five weeks with a broken collarbone. Kraght also rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown, as Lynden rushed for 230 yards and averaged a season-high 8.8 yards per carry, and Lynden's top two receivers so far - Jalani Phelps (276 yards, 3 TDs) and Dak Shagren (261 yards, 3 TDs) - didn't need to make a catch.
Tigers update: Burlington-Edison (4-2, 2-2) was surprised 30-29 by Sehome last week. Quarterback Dalton Schwetz rushed for 95 yards and three touchdowns on five carries and passed for 115 yards, but the Tigers turned the ball over three times and allowed a 95-yard kickoff return in the game. Speedy Jae Evans is the Tigers' top offensive threat, as he's averaging 9.4 yards on 48 carries and has 450 yards and 10 TDs on the ground.
Key to the game: Burlington has enough talent to make things interesting for Lynden, so the Lions better come ready to play. The Tigers' biggest problem, though, has been inconsistency and a lack of size up front, something Lynden should be able to exploit offensively.
Player to watch: Lynden running back Luke Christianson is a threat every time he touches the ball. Last week he rushed for 113 yards and two TDs and scored a third on a punt return. He has rushed for 541 yards, has 160 yards receiving and has found the end zone nine times this year.
MERIDIAN AT BLAINE
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Site: Blaine High School
Trojans update: Meridian (4-2, 2-0 NWC 1A) scored its most impressive victory of the season, winning 42-14 at Nooksack Valley last week. Letrez Jones rushed for 90 yards and a pair of TDs, while Junior Castro reached 100 yards rushing. Quarterback Max McGuinn and Evan Childs also rushed for TDs, while McGuinn found Relijah McMillen and Jeremy Brockmann for scores through the air. The Meridian defense also held high-powered Nooksack to 163 yards of total offense and intercepted three passes.
Borderites update: Eighth-ranked Blaine (5-1, 2-0) survived its first trip to Friday Harbor for a NWC 1A game with a 26-19 victory last week. Mario Gobbato rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns, meaning he needs only 188 to become the 16th player in state history to surpass 5,000 career rushing yards. The defense also came up with a couple of key fourth-quarter stops, as Cole Muder returned a fumble 96 yards for a TD and Brett Allen made a crucial interception on a fourth-down pass on Friday Harbor's final drive.
Key to the game: Turnovers will likely be key in this one. Blaine had two costly ones last week against Friday Harbor, but got two big ones in return with the game on the line. Neither team has faired particularly well here, as Blaine owns a minus-3 turnover ratio, and the Trojans are at minus-10, but has been only minus-2 during its current four-game winning streak.
Player to watch: Blaine linebacker Caleb Johnson made the hit that forced a key fumble near the Blaine goal line in the fourth quarter on a play that proved to be the difference in the Borderites' hard-fought victory last week. He and his defensive mates will be tested by Meridian.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN AT NOOKSACK VALLEY
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Site: Nooksack Valley High School
Lyncs update: Lynden Christian (3-3, 0-2 NWC 1A) suffered a 43-26 loss to Mount Baker last week. Quarterback Isaac Reimer passed for 294 yards and three touchdowns, but it simply was not enough against a Mountaineers team that rushed for 327 yards and four TDs. The Lyncs have now allowed 1,400 yards on the ground and 7.0 yards per carry. Levi Vander Yacht caught five passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in the game, but LC turned the ball over four times.
Pioneers update: Nooksack Valley (3-3, 0-2) dug itself a big hole and ended up losing 42-14 to Meridian last week. The Pioneers were held to 163 yards of total offense in the game and turned the ball over three times. Tanner Myhre (1,120 yards passing) and Trey Handy (500 yards receiving) are still the leading passer and receiver in the NWC, but Nooksack passed for only 143 yards in the game. Curtis Handy caught Myhre's lone TD pass last week, though Myhre also ran for a score.
Key to the game: At 0-2 in NWC 1A play, the loser of this game is probably out of the postseason race for all practical purposes. That means neither team can afford many mistakes and must come to play like this is a playoff game.
Player to watch: LC receiver Truman Van Dalen caught 12 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns in last week's losing effort. The Lyncs also will rely heavily on him on the other side of the ball to try to slow up the NWC's top passing attack.
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
