Herald prep writers David Krueger and Aaron Lommers got together recently to make10 bold predictions about the 2015 high school football season, which kicks off Friday night.
1. Shorewood will win six games — and make the playoffs
Aaron: After winning just two games in each of the past three seasons — and with a new head coach this year — the Thunderbirds putting together a breakout season might not seem likely, but we’re supposed to make BOLD predictions, right?
For all the blowouts the Thunderbirds suffered through the past three seasons — and there were a few — they also were competitive in several games well into the second half against some very good teams, and in some cases had chances to win those games. Couple that growth with a roster that boasts several key returners and the Thunderbirds could be poised to make a big jump this season.
2. The Mariner-Snohomish regular-season finale will again be for a playoff spot.
David: The only thing that Aaron and I have really agreed on so far this week is that Lake Stevens is the favorite in Wesco 4A. When it comes to the conference’s other playoff teams, that’s where we differ.
Last year, Mariner played Snohomish in the final regular-season game of the season and edged the Panthers 41-40 to earn the conference’s fourth and final playoff berth.
Playoff berths in the Wesco 4A likely will come down to the final week of the regular season once again, with the Panthers and Marauders again doing battle for a spot in the postseason.
3. Glacier Peak will go undefeated in the regular season.
Aaron: Some of you may be saying, “But wait, don’t the Grizzlies play Bellevue this season?”
Yes, they do.
The Grizzlies have enough coming back that I don’t see them being challenged in Wesco 3A South play, so them entering the playoffs undefeated comes down to two games — Week 1 against Snohomish and Week 5 against Bellevue. Snohomish is much improved, but I still think Glacier Peak is the better team.
Now we’re down to the Bellevue game.
Call me crazy, but I think the Grizzlies knock off the Wolverines and finish the regular season undefeated.
4. Everett will win the most league games of the three Everett School District teams.
David: Cascade (3-7 last season) and Jackson (2-8) combined to go 1-13 in Wesco 4A play last year, with the lone victory coming in the Bruins’ 41-31 win over the Timberwolves.
Everett’s recent struggles have been well documented, with the Seagulls winning one game in each of the past three seasons. But Everett opens the season with winnable games against Shorewood and Bainbridge and squares off with crosstown rival Cascade in the Battle for Broadway, which has been in the Bruins’ control for quite a few years now.
If the Seagulls can win one or two of those, and surprise a team in a wide-open Wesco 3A North, it would be a good first season for new Everett coach Doug Trainor.
5. Marysville Getchell will make the playoffs.
Aaron: Ever since this year’s junior class entered the program as freshmen, its talent has been a topic of conversation and this season is no different.
That class is led by Collin Montez, who rushed for 2,016 yards last season while emerging as one of the top players in the state. The Chargers have talent, but the problem has been they have been playing teams with more talent. That might not be the case in 2015.
I like the Chargers to finish in the top two in the Wesco 3A North and qualify for the postseason for the first time.
6. King’s will make it to Tacoma.
David: The Knights have been to the Class 1A state quarterfinals four seasons in a row — almost as long as I’ve been leading Lommers in the Herald’s weekly picks — and have been unable to clinch a semifinal berth and the accompanying trip to the Tacoma Dome.
I think this is the year. Once again, the Knights have a talented roster and if King’s can get past the usual suspects in the postseason — Montesano and Cascade Christian, the two teams that have ended the Knights’ season each of the past five years — it can finally make its way to Tacoma for the 1A state semifinals.
7. Archbishop Murphy will return to the top of the Cascade Conference.
Aaron: No disrespect to King’s and Lakewood, but I think this is the least bold of my five bold predictions. After a few down years, Archbishop Murphy proved it was back on the right track last season, finishing the regular season with a 7-2 record. Those two losses came to Lakewood and King’s, but those games were close. Lakewood defeated the Wildcats 18-17 and King’s won 17-7.
I like the Wildcats to win at least one, if not both, of its games against Lakewood and King’s this season and claim at least a share of the league championship for the first time since 2011.
8. David will retain The Herald Cup, awarded annually to the winner of the weekly prep picks.
David: I know these are supposed to be bold predictions, but I’ve got to do something to fire up Lommers and our fellow pickers: Sound Live Sports Network announcer Steve Willits and KRKO 1380’s “Tall” Tom Lafferty.
Last season was a lot of fun and I look forward to once again showing these gentlemen how to pick football games.
9. Aaron will win The Herald Cup.
Aaron: Because I’m tired of listening to David talk about how great he is.
10. David and Aaron will cover their first state championship football game since 2011.
David: I’m trying to finish with the boldest of picks. It’s been four years since Aaron and I got to cover a title game in the Tacoma Dome. Four years. Roughly the last time Aaron legitimately competed for The Herald Cup.
Now, I don’t think this is the year for Aaron, but I’m thinking it could be a chance for one of our local teams to break through. The last championship we covered was a 17-16 nail-biter that saw Lynden edge Archbishop Murphy on a late touchdown after an intentional safety.
Maybe the Wildcats will make their way back to the dome. Perhaps their conference rival King’s will get past the quarterfinals, semifinals and into the 1A championship. There’s a lot of talk about Lake Stevens this season and Marysville Pilchuck was tied for fourth in the Class 3A Associated Press preseason state poll.
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