LYNDEN AT SQUALICUM
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25
Site: Civic Stadium
Lions update: No. 2 Lynden (7-1, 6-0 NWC 2A/3A) locked up the league title and the top 2A seed out of the NWC to the district playoffs with a convincing 49-14 victory over Ferndale last week. The Lions will host Sultan in the district playoffs next week. Luke Christianson led the way, rushing for 145 yards and scoring three TDs (one receiving). Quarterback Josh Kraght also rushed for 55 yards and a TD and passed for three more scores. The Lynden defense was stout, limiting Ferndale to 154 yards and 3.3 yards per carry - 236.0 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry below its average entering the game.
Storm update: Squalicum (6-2, 4-2) squandered a 17-0 second-quarter lead and with it a chance to lock up a home game in the district playoffs last week with a 24-17 loss to Burlington-Edison. The Storm can still get that home playoff game, but a loss and a Burlington-Edison win would knock them to the No. 3 seed and force a trip to face Archbishop Murphy. Luke Weber rushed for 159 yards and both Storm touchdowns last week. He needs 61 yards to surpass 1,000 for the season. Nick Manchester has added 198 yards the past two weeks combined.
Key to the game: Squalicum has got something to play for, as a win would lock up a home playoff game, but the Storm must do a better job of holding on to the ball. Despite rushing for 307 yards last week, Squalicum turned the ball over three times.
Player to watch: Despite wearing a cast on one hand, Lynden linebacker Jaremy Martin was a physical presence in the middle of Lynden's defense, helping the Lions slow up Ferndale's run game last week. He'll be asked to do more of the same this week against the Storm.
FERNDALE AT ANACORTES
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25
Site: Anacortes High School
Golden Eagles update: No. 7 Ferndale (7-1, 5-1 NWC 2A/3A) suffered its first loss of the season 49-21 at Lynden last week and with it lost a chance to be the Northwest District's No. 2 seed into the 3A crossover playoffs next week. But the Golden Eagles are still eligible for the No. 3 seed and a home playoff game if they can win at Anacortes. Running back Alex Conley surpassed 1,000 yards rushing with 94 yards and two touchdowns, as Ferndale kept it close with Lynden for a quarter and a half. But the rest of the team accounted for only 72 yards of total offense.
Seahawks update: The Seahawks (0-8, 0-6) suffered a 28-21 loss at Bellingham last week in a battle of teams looking for their first win. The Seahawks did manage to score a season-high in points, upping their per-game average to 8.4. Derek Chase led the way, as he rushed for 125 yards and a TD, while Nick Monroe rushed for 121 yards.
Key to the game: Mistakes cost the Golden Eagles dearly last week. A snap over punter Wyatt Dunn's head in the first quarter set up Lynden's first TD, and the three turnovers certainly didn't help. That's something Ferndale must clean up before the playoffs roll around.
Player to watch: Running back Richmond Baardson has the speed and open-field talent to break a game open. He was held to 27 yards on 10 carries by Lynden, but he has averaged 9.0 yards on his 51 carries so far this season.
BLAINE AT NOOKSACK VALLEY
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25
Site: Nooksack Valley High School
Borderites update: After scoring the first 14 points, Blaine (6-2, 3-1 NWC 1A) watched Mount Baker roll off the final 38 to hand the Borderites their first league loss. Blaine is no longer in the driver's seat for the league title and an automatic berth to state, but a win at least gets them in the postseason, and a win and a Mount Baker loss would clinch a three-way tie for the league title. Running back Mario Gobbato rushed for 300 yards and two TDs last week, but most of that came in the first half. He now has 2,105 and 26 TDs on 235 attempts (9.0 average) this year.
Pioneers update: Nooksack Valley (5-3, 2-2) kept its postseason hopes alive with a 28-14 victory at Friday Harbor last week. The Pioneers can now clinch a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots with a win and will receive a postseason spot outright with a win and a Meridian win. Quarterback Tanner Myhre threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 83 yards and another score last week, but he also was intercepted three times. Curtis Handy caught four passes for 60 yards and a TD, while Bret Rediger caught two for 72 yards and a score.
Key to the game: This one could come down to how well Nooksack Valley stops the run. During their two-game winning streak, the Pioneers have limited opponents to 235 yards combined and 3.7 yards per carry - a big improvement from the 5.8 they allowed the first six weeks. If they can slow up Gobbato, who knows?
Player to watch: At 6-foot-1, 265 pounds, Leni Halaapiapi can be a big run stuffer in the middle of Nooksack Valley's defense, and that's exactly what the Pioneers need him to be to keep their postseason hopes alive.
MERIDIAN AT MOUNT BAKER
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25
Site: Mount Baker High School
Trojans update: Meridian (5-3, 3-1 NWC 1A) ensured it would at least be in a tie-breaker for a district playoff spot with a 28-7 win over Lynden Christian last week. The Trojans can claim the league title and an automatic berth to state with a win and a Blaine loss, but a loss and a Nooksack win would drop them into a three-way tie for the final two postseason berths. Max McGuinn passed for two scores and rushed for another to lead the Trojans last week, while Relijah McMillen caught a TD pass and returned a kickoff for another score.
Mountaineers update: No. 8 Mount Baker (7-1, 4-0) locked up a postseason berth and put itself in prime position to win the league title with a come-from-behind 38-14 victory at Blaine last week. The Mountaineers now lock up an automatic berth to state with a win this week. A loss would drop them into either a three-way tie for the league title or the No. 2 seed to the district playoffs. Jake Schleimer had another big game with 131 yards and a touchdown. He is now second in the NWC with 1,079 yards and 17 TDs on 132 attempts (8.2 average). Izaiha Schwinden also rushed for three TDs.
Key to the game: Meridian limited Lynden Christian to 24 yards on 21 attempts (1.1 average) last week. While that's unlikely against a Mount Baker offense averaging 298.6 yards per game and 7.9 per carry, Meridian can't let the Mountaineers run wild.
Player to watch: Mount Baker doesn't rush for 7.9 yards per carry without some talented linemen up front, like Jake Larsen. The 5-foot-10, 261-pound road grader and his mates are the best friends Schleimer and Schwinden can have.
TULALIP AT LUMMI
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25
Site: Lummi Nation School
Hawks update: Tulalip (3-4, 0-4 NWFL 1B) suffered a 40-30 loss at Clallam Bay last week, as the Hawks let a 22-20 halftime lead slip away. The Tulalip defense surrendered 497 yards rushing in the game. Keanu Hamilton caught seven passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns and returned a fumble 45 yards for another score. Brandon Jones had a team-high 18 tackles in the game.
Blackhawks update: No. 4 Lummi (7-2, 3-1) shut out Lopez 50-0 last week, marking the Blackhawks' first shutout win since they blanked Neah Bay in the first week of the 2010 season. Lummi stuffed the run early, forcing Lopez to pass the ball, and then got after the quarterback to record double-digit sack totals. With the defense controlling the game, the Blackhawks were able to take a five-touchdown lead by halftime, as Dimitri Sampson and Logan Toby split time at quarterback.
Key to the game: The Blackhawks already know they will host the No. 1 seed from the south, Quilcene, in a 7 p.m. game on Nov. 2 in the 1B district playoffs, but Lummi can't get caught looking ahead. They want to enter the postseason on a five-game win streak.
Player to watch: Lummi receiver/defensive back Jordan Deardorff was a big part of the Blackhawks' pass rush last week against Lopez.
FRIDAY HARBOR AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN
Time: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26
Site: Lynden Christian
Wolverines update: After starting the season 4-0, Friday Harbor (4-4, 0-4 NWC 1A) remained winless in league play with a 28-14 loss to Nooksack Valley last week. After being held to 9 yards on 8 carries a week earlier by Mount Baker, running back Nathan Steenkolk returned to form, rushing for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Micah Powell provides a valuable second option with 531 yards and five TDs on 106 carries this season.
Lyncs update: Lynden Christian (3-5, 0-4) also dropped its fourth straight with a 28-7 loss to Meridian last week. The Lyncs were held to 24 yards rushing on 21 attempts (1.1 average), and allowed 201. The LC passing game has been solid this year, as Isaac Reimer and Daulton Hommes have combined to pass for 1,321 yards and seven touchdowns, with Levi Vander Yacht (380 yards, three TDs) and Truman Van Dalen (519 yards, 4 TDs) their top targets.
Key to the game: Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, so this one is all about pride. Whichever team comes emotionally ready to play certainly will have an advantage.
Player to watch: Lynden Christian lineman Blake Te Velde and his teammates on the line will certainly want to improve upon the rushing performance they were a part of last week, and they'll be called to stop a pretty good rushing offense on defense.
BELLINGHAM AT SEHOME
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26
Site: Civic Stadium
Red Raiders update: Bellingham (1-7, 1-5 NWC 2A/3A) finally broke through and picked up its first win of the season. Quarterback Justin Pruett returned from injury and passed for 135 yards and three TDs - two to Darice Haywood and one to Kyle Redmond, who also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Most importantly, the Red Raiders allowed a season-low 21 points, in part because they allowed the Seahawks only 330 yards - 132.9 below what the average they allowed first seven weeks.
Mariners update: Last week's 21-13 loss at Sedro-Woolley severely hurt the chances Sehome (2-6, 2-4) makes it into the postseason. The Mariners now must beat Bellingham and have Sedro-Woolley beat Burlington-Edison to get the NWC 2A No. 4 seed. Titi Lamositele rushed for 78 yards and a TD last week, giving him 582 yards and four scores this season. Quarterback Austin Rapp rushed for 66 yards and a TD but completed only one pass for 11 yards. The defense played well, limiting the Cubs to 4.6 yards per play.
Key to the game: Sehome has painted itself into a corner, and must win this game at any cost. Unfortunately even that may not be enough, if Burlington gets a win. Sehome needs to get the ball in the hands of its playmakers, and that would include Daniel Ziegler, who did not get a touch on offense last week.
Player to watch: Sehome receiver Mo Williams has been limited to three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown so far this season, but look for him to have a break-out game against a Bellingham defense that has given up its share of big plays.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY AT BURLINGTON-EDISON
Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26
Site: Burlington-Edison High School
Cubs update: Sedro-Woolley (4-4, 3-3 NWC 3A/2A) secured a postseason spot with its 21-13 victory over Sehome last week. The Cubs can now finish as the NWC's No. 3 seed to the district playoffs with a win or the No. 4 with a loss. Shawn Kennedy led the way last week with 127 yards rushing on 27 attempts. Clayton Johnson added 39 yards and a touchdown.
Tigers update: Burlington-Edison put itself in prime position for a playoff spot with a come-from-behind 24-17 victory over Squalicum. A win or a Sehome loss would put the Tigers in the district playoffs, and a Squalicum loss along with a win would give them the No. 2 seed, but a loss and a Sehome win would keep the Tigers out of the postseason. Quarterback Dalton Schwetz ran for two TDs and threw for a third last week.
Key to the game: The Tigers definitely have more to play for, as they have not yet locked up a postseason spot, but neither team really wants to travel to face Lakewood in the district playoffs as the NWC's No. 4 seed.
Player to watch: Burlington-Edison running back Tyler Morrison rushed for 89 yards on eight carries last week. He is second to Jae Evans on the team with 260 yards and four TDs this year.
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
