Two big showdowns between ranked teams - Ferndale at Lynden and Mount Baker at Blaine - highlight this week's action in high school football.
BURLINGTON-EDISON AT SQUALICUM
When: 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
Site: Civic Stadium
Tigers update: Burlington (4-3, 2-3 NWC 2A/3A) dropped its third game in four weeks with a 34-7 loss to Lynden last week, and now finds itself in the middle of a three-team battle with Sehome and Sedro-Woolley for the final two 2A playoff spots. The Tigers allowed 421 yards of total offense last week, and though they gained nearly 300 yards of offense, only got a fourth-quarter TD from quarterback Dalton Schwetz. Speedy Jae Evans rushed for 95 yards and is 10th in the NWC with 545 yards and 10 TDs.
Storm update: Squalicum (6-1, 4-1) held off crosstown rival Sehome 28-20 last week to lock up a postseason spot. The Storm can clinch at least the No. 2 2A seed from the NWC and a home playoff game with a win this week. Squalicum rushed for 243 yards, led by 117 yards and three touchdowns from Luke Weber. That was good, because the passing game generated only one completion for 15 yards, continuing a trend that has seen the Storm pass for only 125 yards the past three weeks combined.
Key to the game: Squalicum needs to rely on what has gotten it here - its physical running game. The Storm will hold a size advantage against a relatively small Burlington squad, and have shown an ability to wear down opponents in the second half.
Player to watch: Squalicum running back Nick Manchester provided a valuable second option to Weber last week, rushing for 113 yards. He also scored on a 30-yard fumble return to tie the game up in the second quarter.
FERNDALE AT LYNDEN
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
Site: Lynden High School
Golden Eagles update: No. 4 Ferndale (7-0, 5-0 NWC 2A/3A) kept on rolling with a 54-0 victory over Bellingham last week. The Golden Eagles had four running backs surpass 60 yards, led by 103 yards and three touchdowns from Alex Conley. Brady Bauthues chipped in 79 yards and two TDs on only three caries, while Richmond Baardson gained 85 yards and a TD. Even more impressive was the Golden Eagles' defensive performance, which limited Bellingham to 62 total yards on 28 snaps (2.2 average).
Lions update: No. 2 Lynden (6-1, 5-0 NWC 2A/3A) used a balanced offensive attack and a bend-but-don't-break defense to win 34-7 at Burlington-Edison last week. The Lions surpassed 200 yards rushing for the third straight week with 228 and passed for 193 more. Running back Luke Christianson rushed for 61 yards and scored a TD and caught four passes for 36 more yards and another score. He stands seventh in the NWC with 602 yards rushing. The defense, meanwhile, held an opponent to two TDs or less for the sixth straight week.
Key to the game: Neither team has played a close game in more than a month, so whichever team handles the pressure better should not only improve its playoff positioning but also clinch at least a share of the NWC 2A/3A title.
Player to watch: Big-time players tend to show up for big games, and there are none bigger than this game and very few bigger-time players than Lynden quarterback Josh Kraght. Kraght rushed for a season-high 156 yards and two TDs last week and passed for 193 yards and two more scores.
SEHOME AT SEDRO-WOOLLEY
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
Site: Sedro-Woolley High School
Mariners update: Sehome (2-5, 2-3 NWC 2A/3A) matched Squalicum TD for TD for the first three quarters, but couldn't in the fourth and fell 28-20 last week. Big-play Daniel Ziegler got another one for the Mariners and finished with 55 yards and a TD. Quarterback Austin Rapp also rushed for a TD and passed for 47 yards. Though Sehome has definitely improved defensively this year, the Mariners need to cut down on the 6.0 yards per rush attempt they have been allowing so far this season.
Cubs update: Sedro-Woolley (3-4, 2-3) picked up its second win in three weeks, overwhelming Anacortes 48-6 last week. The Cubs needed only 30 carries to compile 390 yards and five TDs on the ground (13.0 average). Kyle Morgan led the way with 135 yards and two TDs on only three carries, while Shawn Kennedy piled up 116 yards and a score on 14 attempts. Quarterback Braden Blouin and receiver Mason Elms also hooked up for a couple of touchdowns through the air.
Key to the game: The two teams find themselves in a three-way tie with Burlington-Edison for the final two 2A spots. A win would clinch Sehome's first playoff trip in the NWC era, but they are not out with a loss, as the Cubs and Tigers play in Week 10 and the Mariners already own a win over Burlington.
Player to watch: Sehome senior running back Titi Lamositele owns one 100-yard game and has scored three touchdowns this year, but he is averaging 7.9 yards per carry. The Mariners no longer need him to have a big game every night out, but it sure wouldn't hurt in a game with playoff implications.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN AT MERIDIAN
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
Site: Meridian High School
Lyncs update: After starting off hot, Lynden Christian (3-4, 0-3 NWC 1A) suffered its third straight loss, falling 51-16 at Nooksack Valley last week. The Lyncs were outrushed 302-44 in the game, as they averaged only 1.6 yards on 28 attempts. Quarterbacks Isaac Reimer and Dalton Biehle combined for 112 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw four interceptions. Truman Van Dalen ranks third in the NWC with 496 yards and four TDs, while Levi Vander Yacht is fifth (357 yards, 3 TDs).
Trojans update: Meridian (4-3, 2-1) fell 4 yards and six seconds short of tying Blaine in a NWC 1A battle of unbeatens last week, but fell 34-27. The Trojans were 0 for 12 on third-down conversions in the game but still generated 340 yards of total offense. Quarterback Max McGuinn passed for 244 of that total and three touchdowns to three different receivers - Relijah McMillen, Sam Chambers and Drake VanderYacht, who all also surpassed 70 yards receiving. McMillen also returned a kickoff for a TD.
Key to the game: The Lyncs' postseason hopes are on life support at best, but Meridian is still in really good shape. A win this week clinches a postseason spot for the Trojans, and if Blaine loses to Mount Baker, Meridian is still in the hunt for a three-way tie atop the NWC 1A standings.
Player to watch: Meridian running back Junior Castro leads the Trojans with 324 yards rushing and is averaging 5.0 per carry. Facing a team that allowed more than 300 last week, he could be in a for a big game.
NOOKSACK VALLEY AT FRIDAY HARBOR
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
Site: Friday Harbor High School
Pioneers update: Nooksack Valley (3-4, 1-2 NWC 1A) ended a two-game losing streak and kept dim hopes alive with an impressive 51-16 victory over Lynden Christian last week. After averaging just 110 yards per game on the ground through the first six weeks, the Pioneers rolled up 302 and five TDs last week. Quarterback Tanner Myhre led the way with 158 yards and a TD on 19 carries. He also passed for 61 yards and another score and still leads the NWC with 1,181 yards. The Nooksack defense also had a good game, allowing only 156 yards, including 44 on the ground.
Wolverines update: After two close losses to open NWC 1A play, Friday Harbor (4-3, 0-3) suffered a demoralizing 36-7 loss at Mount Baker last week that ended its postseason hopes. The Mountaineers simply out-physicaled the Wolverines, limiting a team that entered the game averaging 253.3 yards per game to 31 yards on 32 attempts. The only bright spot for Friday Harbor was Donald Galt, who caught four passes for 86 yards and the Wolverines' only score in the fourth quarter.
Key to the game: Mount Baker showed a blueprint for success in handing the Wolverines their first blowout loss of the season. If Nooksack Valley can slow the run like it did last week against Lynden Christian, the Pioneers have a shot to stay alive in the postseason race if Meridian loses.
Player to watch: Bret Rediger has served a number of different roles for Nooksack Valley throughout the year. He rushed for 75 yards and two TDs and passed for 23 more yards last week. He's also caught 16 passes for 204 yards and two TDs this season.
MOUNT BAKER AT BLAINE
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
Site: Blaine High School
Mountaineers update: No. 10 Mount Baker (6-1, 3-0 NWC 1A) scored a convincing 36-7 victory over Friday Harbor last week, as its defense limited the Wolverines to 151 yards of total offense on 54 plays (2.8 per play). Jake Schleimer had a big game offensively, rushing for 105 yards and three TDs and stands third in the NWC with 948 yards and 16 TDs. Dalton Munsell also hauled in his second TD catch of the year, while Edgar Zavala booted a pair of field goals.
Borderites update: No. 7 Blaine (6-1, 3-0) held off a late challenge from Meridian to win 34-27 last week. James Fakkema forced and recovered a fumble with six seconds to play after Meridian reached the Blaine 4 to preserve the win. Running back Mario Gobbato rushed for 290 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the 16th player in state history to surpass 5,000 career yards. He is averaging 257.9 yards per game. Cole Muder also rushed for a touchdown for the Borderites.
Key to the game: How well Mount Baker shuts down Gobbato will play a huge role in deciding which team will win. Should that team be Blaine, the Borderites would lock up the NWC 1A title and an automatic berth to the 1A state playoffs. If the Mountaineers win, they would clinch at least a three-way tie for the automatic berth to state.
Player to watch: Mount Baker linebacker Tyrel Cronk was in the middle of a Mountaineers defense that held Friday Harbor, which entered last week averaging 253.3 yards per game, to 31 yards on 32 carries. He'll need another big game against Gobbato this week.
ANACORTES AT BELLINGHAM
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
Site: Civic Stadium
Seahawks update: Anacortes (0-7, 0-5 NWC 2A/3A) suffered a 48-6 loss to Sedro-Woolley last week. The Seahawks allowed 390 yards and five touchdowns on the ground in the game. Anthony Cook was their leading ground gainer, with 70 yards, while Nick Monroe rushed for 52 yards and the Seahawks' only score. Anacortes has reached double digits only twice this season - 12 points against Sehome and 14 against Lynden Christian.
Red Raiders update: Bellingham (0-7, 0-5) suffered its first shutout of the year, 54-0 at Ferndale last week. The Red Raiders' offense managed only 64 yards of total offense on 28 plays. Quarterback Justin Pruett, who entered the week as the second-leading passer in the NWC, went down early in the game with a knee injury. Marques Reynolds leads the team with 276 rushing yards on 57 attempts, but is seeking his first TD. The Bellingham defense has allowed 2,452 yards rushing this season at 7.8 yards per attempt.
Key to the game: Something has got to give when the Anacortes offense and Bellingham defense are on the field. The Seahawks are averaging just 6.9 points per game, while the Red Raiders are allowing 48.6.
Player to watch: Bellingham receiver Kyle Redmond stepped in for Pruett last week. Redmond, who caught two passes from Pruett early on, hit 3 of his 9 pass attempts for 17 yards. His athleticism also makes him a threat to run the ball out of the shot gun if Pruett can't go.
LUMMI AT LOPEZ
When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
Site: Lopez High School
Blackhawks update: No. 5 Lummi (6-2, 2-1 NWFL 1B) won its third game in seven days, beating Clallam Bay 73-18 last week. The Blackhawks needed only 21 plays to pile up 637 yards of total offense in the game. Dimitri Sampson rushed for 70 yards and a TD on two attempts, passed for 114 yards and another TD and caught a 22-yard touchdown pass. Deion Hoskins scored all three times he touched the ball - twice rushing and once receiving - and compiled 94 yards of total offense. Devin Cooper rushed for 92 yards and a TD on four carries.
Lobos update: Lopez (4-1, 2-1) suffered its first loss of the year, falling 50-0 to Neah Bay. The Lobos allowed 290 yards rushing in the game and 137 yards and four touchdowns through the air in a game that was called at the half. The Lobos' last win came 52-16 a week earlier at Clallam Bay.
Key to the game: Judging by last week, Lopez appears susceptible to giving up big plays, so Lummi just has to keep doing what it does best. Chances are the Blackhawks won't average 30.3 yards per play again, but even getting a third of that would be nice.
Player to watch: Lummi quarterback Logan Toby stepped in for usual starter Jared Tom and completed 4 of 5 passes for 201 yards and four touchdowns. For the record, that is a QB rating of 158.3, which is a perfect score.
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
