Wesco North football preview

Here’s a look at the Western Conference’s North Division, with the teams listed in the order of predicted finish:

MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK

Last season: 6-0 in conference play, 9-1 overall

Outlook

Last season, Marysville-Pilchuck used its massive offensive line and strong ground game to run to its first league title since 1975. The Tomahawks return 2008 leading rusher Austin Denton (1,565 yards rushing), but must rebuild the team on both sides of the ball. It’s imperative that the new players make a quick adjustment to the varsity level if the Tomahawks hope to reach the postseason, head coach Brandon Carson said.

Impact Players

Brett Parsons

Sr. | OT/DT | 6-2, 300

Jarrett Finau

Jr. | TE/DE | 6-3, 220

Chris Larson

Sr. | RB/DB | 5-9, 175

Fresh Face

AJ Kvangnes

Sr. | RB/OLB | 5-11, 180

Schedule

Sept. 4at Shorecrest

Sept. 11at Snohomish

Sept. 18SKYVIEW

Sept. 25STANWOOD

Oct. 2at Arlington

Oct. 9LAKE STEVENS

Oct. 16KAMIAK

Oct. 23at Monroe

Oct. 30OAK HARBOR

ARLINGTON

Last season: 2-4, 6-4

Outlook

Arlington’s roster was hobbled by the offseason loss of two top receivers (disciplinary reasons). The Eagles’ top returning receiver, Conner Varnell (10 touchdowns in ‘08), is fully recovered from back surgery. Head coach Greg Dailer has a number of younger players who need to step up, spearheaded by versatile sophomore Blake McPherson.

Impact Players

Jake Parduhn

Sr. | RB/FS | 5-10, 190

Peter Ludwig

Sr. | DL | 6-0, 210

Andy Smith

Sr. | QB/DB | 6-1, 165

Fresh Face

Blake McPherson

So. | WR/FS | 5-10, 160

Schedule

Sept. 4at Glacier Peak

Sept. 11LYNNWOOD

Sept. 18at Jackson

Sept. 25at Lake Stevens

Oct. 2M-P

Oct. 9at Monroe

Oct. 16OAK HARBOR

Oct. 23at Snohomish

Oct. 30STANWOOD

LAKE STEVENS

Last season: 4-2, 6-4

Outlook

Coach Tom Tri said the Vikings must utilize their team speed and stay healthy in order to return to the postseason. Lake Stevens lost several players, but according to Tri, the Vikings are fast at nearly every position. Two downsides, however, are a lack of size and depth. Also, the new offensive line must learn to work as a unit, Tri said. An injury-riddled season could derail Lake Stevens’ postseason hopes.

Impact Players

Jesse Porter

Sr. | OT/DE | 6-2, 240

Jordan Eckstrom

Sr. | OG/NT | 6-0, 245

Duke Dolphin

Jr. | RB/SS | 6-1, 195

Fresh Face

Tyler Reside

Sr. | WR/DB | 5-10, 180

Schedule

Sept. 4MARINER

Sept. 11GLACIER PEAK

Sept. 18at Stanwood

Sept. 25ARLINGTON

Oct. 2at Jackson

Oct. 9at M-P

Oct. 16MONROE

Oct. 23at Oak Harbor

Oct. 29SNOHOMISH

SNOHOMISH

Last season: 4-2, 6-4

Outlook

The split with 3A Glacier Peak has hurt the Panthers’ numbers and in turn made the team more vulnerable to injuries. Coach Mark Perry estimated 20 or more seniors who would be playing for Snohomish are at Glacier Peak. But Snohomish still returns strong players at a few positions and looks to build around a more balanced offensive scheme, according to Perry. Filling the vacant spot at quarterback will be Perry’s son, Luke.

Impact Players

Jon McGee

Sr. | WR/DE | 6-5, 220

Keith Wigney

Sr. | OL/LB | 6-1, 245

Eric Koenig

Jr. | OL/LB | 6-4, 230

Fresh Face

Jon Ney

Sr. | RB/DB | 5-11, 187

Schedule

Sept. 4at Kamiak

Sept. 11M-P

Sept. 18SHORECREST

Sept. 25at Monroe

Oct. 2OAK HARBOR

Oct. 9CASCADE

Oct. 16at Stanwood

Oct. 23ARLINGTON

Oct. 29at Lake Stevens

STANWOOD

Last season: 3-3, 3-6

Outlook

Stanwood heads into the season with experience at several skill positions as well as along both lines. Coach Aaron Cupp got his start at Meadowdale as an assistant football coach and head track coach from 2003-06. Last season he was an assistant coach at Stayton (Ore.) High School. With veterans at quarterback, running back and on the offensive line, Stanwood’s performance could flourish under Cupp’s tutelage.

Impact Players

Mike McCune

Sr. | QB | 6-2, 185

Brad Gee

Sr. | RB/LB | 5-11, 195

Evan Olson

Sr. | FS | 6-0, 195

Fresh Face

Dexter Charles

Jr. | DE/OT | 6-4, 290

Schedule

Sept. 4JACKSON

Sept. 11at Meadowdale

Sept. 18LAKE STEVENS

Sept. 25at M-P

Oct. 2Monroe

Oct. 9at Oak Harbor

Oct. 16SNOHOMISH

Oct. 23FERNDALE

Oct. 30at Arlington

OAK HARBOR

Last season: 2-4, 4-6

Outlook

The Wildcats stumbled in conference play last season, but with second-year head coach Jay Turner still at the helm and a large number of experienced players returning, Oak Harbor could be poised for a playoff run. If key players stay healthy, the Wildcats have the potential to surprise a few conference foes.

Impact Players

Donovan Hunt

Sr. | RB/CB | 6-0, 180

Nick Rouser

Sr. | OT/DE | 6-5, 230

Rashaad Smith

Sr. | WR/FS | 6-4, 185

Fresh Face

Aaron Boesch

Jr. | WR/DE | 6-4, 195

Schedule

Sept. 4at Cascade

Sept. 11MONROE

Sept. 18EVERETT

Sept. 26at Mt. Vernon

Oct. 2at Snohomish

Oct. 9STANWOOD

Oct. 16at Arlington

Oct. 23LAKE STEVENS

Oct. 30at M-P

MONROE

Last season: 0-6, 2-8

Outlook

Monroe lost a number of players in skill positions from 2008, but the Bearcats didn’t have to rebuild in one of the most important spots — along the offensive line. Monroe returns experience across the line, which could bode well for second-year head coach Dave Telford as his squad looks to improve on a two-win 2008 campaign.

Impact Players

Cody Elledge

Sr. | WR/DB | 6-0, 200

Kelen Jensen

Sr. | WR/DB | 6-3, 200

Alex Martin

Sr. | C/DT | 6-0, 270

Fresh Face

Joe Kim

Sr. | TB/OLB | 5-7, 180

Schedule

Sept. 4SHOREWOOD