Every football game counts now; here’s what you need to know heading into Week 4
Meridian at Lynden Christian
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Site: Lynden Christian Schools
Trojans (3-0) update: No. 5 Meridian closed out non-league play with a 34-29 victory over Cascade Christian Friday. Quarterback Simon Burkett passed for 303 yards and four touchdowns. Bryce VandenHaak caught three passes for 102 yards and two TDs, while Lukas Hemenway, Harlon Stuit and Tony Schleimer each hauled in a scoring toss. Dawson Logan sealed the win with an interception.
Lyncs (2-1) update: Lynden Christian bounced back from a loss to Cascade Christian with a 42-23 win at Cashmere Friday. After totaling just 350 yards in its first two games combined, the Lyncs offense generated 383 last week. Kalai Jandoc caught six passes for 141 yards (47-yard average) and two touchdowns, while Jordan Riddle rushed for 62 yards on 12 carries and had an interception and a kick return for TDs.
Key to the game: Though LC hasn’t beaten Meridian since a 31-0 win in 2014, their two losses to the Trojans in 2016 were by nine points combined. They’ll need to slow Burkett and his many weapons to give themselves a shot.
Player to watch: Lynden Christian quarterback Ty Van Dyken got the Lyncs’ offense rolling, passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 142 yards and a score on 13 carries (10.9 average) last week.
Prediction: Meridian 21-17.
Mount Baker at Nooksack Valley
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Site: Nooksack Valley High School
Mountaineers (3-0) update: No. 3 Mount Baker completed a romp through its non-league schedule with a 48-7 victory at Port Townsend Friday. The Mountaineers had four players rush for more than 45 yards, as they piled up 334 yards and six TDs on the ground and averaged 9.8 yards per carry. Sam Barrett led the way with 104 yards and three TDs, while Carson Engholm rushed for 85 and two scores.
Pioneers (3-0) update: No. 6 Nooksack Valley also completed a perfect non-league foray with a 55-14 victory over Coupeville Friday. Quarterback Casey Bauman passed for 278 yards and four TDs and rushed for two more scores. Austin O’Bryan was his top target with 130 yards and three TDs on four receptions. He also rushed for 58 yards, while Kyle Veldman had 34 yards and a TD receiving.
Key to the game: Mount Baker hasn’t lost a 1A NWC game since a one-point loss to Meridian in 2014. The Pioneers would love to end that streak, but they’re going to need to find a way to match the Mountaineers physicality.
Player to watch: Nooksack Valley’s Evan Neitling last week showed he has plenty of big-play ability, catching four passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns (32.5 average) and rushing for 74 yards and a TD on six carries (12.3 average).
Prediction: Mount Baker 34-31.
Blaine at Bellingham
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Site: Civic Stadium, Bellingham
Borderites (0-3, 0-1 2A NWC) update: Blaine’s 2A NWC season got off to a rough start with a 42-7 loss at Sedro-Woolley Friday. The Borderites struggled on both sides of the ball, as they totaled just 211 yards of offense. Oscar Caridad led the rushing attack with 78 yards on 15 carries, while Cam Ellis passed for 131 yards and a TD but was intercepted three times. Alex Mercado caught four passes for 49 yards and a TD.
Red Raiders (1-2, 0-1 2A NWC) update: Though Bellingham led early, it lost 40-14 to Lynden in its 2A NWC opener Friday. Rand Bentley passed for 178 yards and a TD but was intercepted four times in the game. Connor Wallace rushed for 51 yards an a TD and is averaging 7.4 yards per carry this year. The Red Raiders allowed Lynden 256 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Key to the game: Even though it’s only the second week of league play, the loser of this game will find its playoff hopes on life support, especially with just three 2A NWC teams advancing to the bi-district playoffs this year.
Player to watch: Spencer Lee last week showed he’s got plenty of big play ability for the Red Raiders, catching four passes for 110 yards, including a 65-yard catch and run for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Prediction: Blaine 28-24.
Sedro-Woolley at Lynden
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Site: Lynden High School
Cubs (2-1, 1-0 2A NWC) update: Sedro-Woolley rebounded after a Week 2 loss to Monroe with a 42-7 victory over Blaine Friday. Carter Trammell passed for a pair of touchdowns to Davis Mihelich and Brent Vanderveen in the game, while Thomas Janicki rushed for a TD and scored on defense. Andrew Sager and Bryson Bartlett also had TD runs of 6 and 7 yards, respectively.
Lions (2-1, 1-0 2A NWC) update: No. 3 Lynden extended its 2A NWC win streak to nine with a 40-14 victory at Bellingham Friday. The Lions relied on their run game and defense to get the win, as they piled up 256 yards and four TDs on the ground. Eric Martin-Mann led the way with 119 yards on 12 carries (9.9 average), though Cory Warner added 57 yards and a TD on five carries.
Key to the game: Lynden’s last 2A NWC loss came at home against Sedro-Woolley in 2015 (32-29). The winner this year definitely has the inside track to the league title and a top seed into the 2A bi-district playoffs.
Player to watch: Lynden’s Trevin Melendez delivered in a number of ways last week, rushing for 45 yards and two TDs on nine carries, catching one pass for 21 yards and returning an interception 19 yards for another TD.
Prediction: Lynden 27-21.
Sehome at Anacortes
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Site: Anacortes High School
Mariners (0-3) update: Though Sehome has shown improvement this year, it took a step back with a 41-6 loss at Lakewood Friday. Michael Mindnich led the Mariners offensively, rushing for 53 yards and a touchdown and passing for 92 yards. Dylan Roberts rushed for 21 yards and caught four passes for 25 more, while Ben Dauber snared three passes for 24 years.
Seahawks (1-2) update: Anacortes opened 2A NWC play with a 41-22 loss to Burlington-Edison Friday. Payton Beaner rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, while quarterback Trystan Lowry and receiver Tyler Blouin connected on a pair of scoring passes in the game. Lowry finished with 214 yards passing and 58 yards on the ground, but the Seahawks defense allowed a lot of yardage.
Key to the game: Sehome’s losing streak is now 20 games, but its last win came Sept. 19, 2015, at Anacortes – a 16-3 victory. If the Mariners can limit some lapses they had last week, they’re plenty capable of ending that streak.
Player to watch: Sehome’s Brett Meggyesy led the team with five catches for 34 yards last week, and the Mariners will look for him to generate even more against Anacortes.
Prediction: Sehome 24-14.
Arlington at Ferndale
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
Site: Ferndale High School
Eagles (3-0, 1-0 3A Wesco North) update: No. 10 Arlington backed up a surprise win over Lake Stevens the week before with a dominating 54-14 3A Wesco North win over Marysville-Getchell Friday. Tallen Williams rolled up 113 yards of total offense and score three touchdowns, while Jacob Hubbard scored a pair and Anthony Whitis threw for 111 yards and two TDs.
Golden Eagles (3-0, 0-0 3A Wesco North) update: No. 4 Ferndale wrapped up non-league play with a 55-21 win at South Kitsap Friday. Cole Semu led the way, rushing for 237 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries. James Hinson also passed for 119 yards and three touchdowns – two to Conner Obergottsberger and one to Watiko Leighton. Hinson also rushed for 30 yards on three carries.
Key to the game: Ferndale’s first 3A Wesco North game this year will be a test. It’s imperative that the Golden Eagles defense clamp down on Arlington’s many play makers and keep them off the scoreboard.
Player to watch: Ferndale’s Gabe Zwade showed he’s capable of becoming a valuable second option to Semu running the ball, as he rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries (5.1 average) last week.
Prediction: Ferndale 31-20.
This story was originally published September 21, 2017 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Every football game counts now; here’s what you need to know heading into Week 4."