Wesco 4A football preview

Outlook

Lake Stevens won the Wesco 4A title last year and appears fully capable of repeating this season. What happens after that is anybody’s guess, with two playoff teams from last season, Monroe and Mariner, breaking in new head coaches. Kamiak continues to play the Vikings — and every other team in the conference — tough and Snohomish, which fell to Mariner in the last week of the regular season to decide the conference’s final postseason berth, looks to continue its rise in head coach Kai Smalley’s third season. Mount Vernon continues to adjust to the Wesco 4A after arriving from the Northwest Conference in 2012. Cascade and Jackson, neither of which is more than three seasons removed from a playoff berth, will try to rebound after tough campaigns in 2014 that saw the teams post a combined 1-13 record in conference play.

The favorite

Lake Stevens. The front-runner is about the only thing in the Wesco 4A that is clear. Returning seven starters on defense and six on offense — including star quarterback Jacob Eason, tight end Riley Krenz and running back Andrew Grimes — the defending champion Vikings once again are the team to beat.

The dark horse

Umm … Everybody else.

Kamiak has found consistent success since head coach Dan Mack took over the program in 1998. The Knights hope to again challenge Lake Stevens for a conference title and a playoff berth.

A pair of teams with new head coaches that went to the playoffs a season ago — Mariner and Monroe — also hope to be in the mix, with Mark Stewart (Mariner) and Michael Bumpus (Monroe) leading their respective squads in 2015.

5 games to watch

Jackson vs. Cascade (Sept. 18): The Everett School District rivals will be looking to bounce back from tough 2014 seasons when conference play starts in mid-September. When the two teams met last season, they combined to score 72 points in the Bruins’ 41-31 win.

Kamiak at Monroe (Oct. 2): The Knights and Bearcats were both undefeated going into last year’s showdown, which saw Kamiak prevail 27-23 in a game that neither team led by more than seven points.

Kamiak at Lake Stevens (Oct. 23): The national spotlight falls on the two Snohomish County teams as they play Lake Stevens’ homecoming game live on ESPNU. The Knights always play the Vikings tough, pushing Lake Stevens to its limit last season before the Vikings prevailed 37-34.

Monroe at Mariner (Oct. 23): Mariner’s first-year coach, Mark Stewart, hopes to have the Marauders fighting for a playoff spot for the second consecutive season. This game could be a key to that goal.

Mariner at Snohomish (Oct. 30): The final week of regular-season play could see Mariner and Snohomish jockeying for seeding in the district playoffs — or once again fighting for their playoff lives.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.