Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Thursday, Oct. 02, 2008

PREP FOOTBALL: Week 5 preview capsules

GAME OF THE WEEK

NOOKSACK VALLEY (3-1, 1-0) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (2-2, 0-1)

Time: 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 3

Site: Lynden Christian High School

Pioneers update: Nooksack Valley has been a great surprise through the first half of the season, but the Pioneers know that the two teams they really have to beat to be a contender are Lynden Christian and Meridian. Nooksack Valley will get its chance against one of those schools, LC, on Friday, Oct. 3. The Pioneers are coming off a good win against Friday Harbor and could make a big leap in the race for Class 1A postseason seeding with a win over the Lyncs. Nooksack Valley has been doing it with defense so far, but the offense has been clicking lately as well.

Nooksack Valley player to watch: Wade Rediger has turned into a real threat running the ball.

Lyncs update: Lynden Christian struggled last week moving the ball in a defensive contest against Meridian, eventually losing 21-7 to the Trojans. After scoring the games first points, the Lyncs never found the end zone again and continue a string a rough games against the Trojans. The Lyncs certainly had their opportunities, but turnovers undid them in that game. Lynden Christian still isn't sure if it's a run-heavy or pass-heavy team, but the pieces are in place for Lynden Christian to be either of both.

Lynden Christian player to watch: Quarterback Daniel Ten Broek is averaging nearly 30 passes a game

Key to the game: Defense has keyed wins for both teams this season, so the offense that protects the ball the best will have the advantage

THE REST OF THE GAMES

BLAINE (3-1, 2-0) AT LYNDEN (2-1)

Time: 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 3

Site: Lynden High School

Borderites update: Blaine found a way to win last week against Mount Baker, using a late field goal to pull out a 22-20 win and remain in the hunt for the top Class 2A spot from the Northwest Conference. If the Borderites are going to challenge for that top spot they'll have to knock off Lynden and that could be tough. Blaine has turned to its running game more lately and had good success. The defense will have to tighten up though, as the Borderites gave up more than 400 yards of offense to Mount Baker.

Lions update: Don't let the final score fool you; the Lions played Ferndale tough last week despite losing 41-6. For most of the first half the Lions appeared to be in control of that game, but once the Golden Eagles grabbed the momentum it was over. The Lions will be looking for a win after that emotional contest, and get Blaine at home. The winner of this game should be looking at a possible top 2 finish in Class 2A in the NWC.

Key to the game: This might be the game where Lynden starts to pass the ball a little more. If that happens, Blaine will have its hands full.

Player to watch: Lynden's Ryan Seto has turned into a favorite receiving target in the Lions' offense.

MOUNT BAKER (2-2, 1-2 ) AT SEHOME (1-3, 0-2)

Time: 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 3

Site: Civic Stadium

Mountaineers update: Another week, another close game for the Mountaineers. Mount Baker ended up losing 22-20 to Blaine last week, but could have won that game. The Mountaineers can't afford to lose again on Friday to Sehome. The Mountaineers opened up their offense a little bit last week, throwing for 260 yards, but it came with mixed results. Mount Baker had three of those passes intercepted and one was returned for a touchdown. If the Mountaineers can limit those turnovers, they will be in good shape.

Mariners update: Sehome's defense tightened up against Squalicum last week, but a pair of fourth quarter touchdown by the Storm was the Mariners' ultimate undoing in a 28-12 loss. There's no doubt Sehome is improved from last season, but it hasn't shown in the standings so much yet. The Mariners are a dangerous team and will knock someone off. With a win over Mount Baker they will be right back in the race.

Key to the game: It can take time for a team to learn how to finish a game strong; both of these teams are learning that lesson now.

Player to watch: Mount Baker's Brian Marshall's is slowly becoming the focal point of the Mountaineers offense.

SQUALICUM (2-2, 1-2) AT FERNDALE (4-0)

Time: 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 3

Site: Ferndale High School

Storm update: Squalicum kept its postseason hopes alive with a 28-12 win over Sehome last week, thanks to two late touchdowns. It wasn't the breakout game the Storm was hoping for, but it was a good win in a rivalry game and Squalicum is happy to get it. They face a much greater challenge in Ferndale this week. The Storm's size will help against Ferndale, but speed could be an issue. At least Squalicum is very familiar with what Ferndale likes to do.

Golden Eagles update: For the fourth straight year Ferndale upended Lynden in the Northwest Conference's supposed game of the year, winning 41-6. The game was closer than the final score would indicate, but the Golden Eagles still looked very solid in the second half. As long as Casey Locker and Max and Spencer Hannah stay healthy this team will go a long way.

Key to the game: It's probably too much to ask the Storm to limit Ferndale's big plays, but that's what will need to happen. The Golden Eagles just have to keep doing their thing.

Player to watch: Ferndale's Spencer Hannah is averaging 15.8 yards per carry and has 11 total touchdowns.

BELLINGHAM (1-3, 1-2) AT MOUNT VERNON (2-2)

Time: 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 3

Site: Mount Vernon High School

Red Raiders update: Bellingham hasn't had the start to the season it had hoped for, but at least the toughest part of the schedule looks to be behind the team. The Red Raiders lost to Burlington-Edison 39-8 last week, but it was turnovers as much as anything that ended Bellingham's chances. Now the Red Raiders will be scrambling to get back in the postseason hunt. Their game this week doesn't have as much bearing as Mount Vernon is a Class 3A team, but a confidence boost would be nice.

Bulldogs update: Mount Vernon hung tough against a bigger school last week, nearly upsetting Oak Harbor 42-32 on the road. The Bulldogs once again seem to be getting better as the season wears on, and this game with Bellingham could be a good one. Quarterback Ray Walser is starting to pass the ball a little more and that's helped open things up. Defensively, Mount Vernon still has some things to work on, but when you're a Class 3A team in the NWC essentially it's a two game season.

Key to the game: Turnovers have hurt both of these teams in their losses, so they just need to hold on to the ball.

Player to watch: Bellingham's Jeremy Rick has three straight 100 yard games.

MERIDIAN (2-2, 2-0) VS MCLOUGHLIN-MILTON-FREEWATER, ORE., (3-2)

Time: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4

Site: Ellensburg High School

Trojans update: Meridian just keeps winning the games that it needs to win and last week it was a 21-7 win over Lynden Christian. The Trojans are now 2-0 against Class 1A schools in conference play, and though they aren't the powerhouse of recent years, they are still a high quality team. They'll get another test this week on the road against McLoughlin High School of Oregon. This is the third straight road game for Meridian and counting that trip to Ellensburg they will have traveled nearly 700 miles round trip during that span.

Pioneers update: McLoughlin is a Class 4A school out of Oregon - Class 6A is the largest level in the state - and is off to a 3-2 start playing mostly smaller schools. The Pioneers are coming off a loss to Umitalla, but have already defeated one school from Washington, Waitsburg, earlier this season.

Key to the game: It will be a neutral field for both teams, so the one that settles in first will have an edge.

Player to watch: Meridian's BoDean Norris made the most his chances last week, picking up 68 yards on 11 carries.

LUMMI (3-1) AT LOPEZ (2-1)

Time: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3

Site: Lopez High School

Blackhawks update: The Blackhawks got back on track with a 60-36 win over Neah Bay last week and the defense looked strong, particularly in the second half. Lummi knows its offense can move the ball, so the key down the stretch will be whether the defense can stop people. Quarterback Dustin Tom turned in a great game, completing 22 of 26 passes for 447 yards. He's mastering that offense.

Lobos update: Lopez could provide a good challenge for Lummi if the Blackhawks come out flat. The Lobos have won their last two games by a combined score of 112-40 and narrowly lost their season opener to Highland Christian 14-0. It's a league opponent and Lummi has dominated the Pacific Coast League for several years now so you know Lopez will be ready.

Key to the game: The Blackhawks' defense tightened in the second half of their win against Neah Bay. They need to keep it up.

Player to watch: Quarterback Dustin Tom continues to lead Lummi's high-flying circus act of an offense.