Outlook
The two teams that finished atop the Wesco 3A South last season — conference champion Meadowdale and runner-up Mountlake Terrace — have new head coaches, and both squads were hit hard by graduation.
That turnover has many wondering what the Mavericks and Hawks will accomplish in 2015. And with expectations up in the air for the Mavericks and Hawks, the door appears open for the two teams that battled it out in the final game of conference play last season to decide the third and final playoff spot. Glacier Peak defeated Edmonds-Woodway to secure that spot, and many believe those two teams will be fighting it out for the league championship this season.
Meanwhile, Lynnwood and Shorewood both proved to be competitive a year ago and expect the same this season. The Thunderbirds, in particular, could be a team to watch, with a slew of returning talent. Like the Mavericks and Hawks, graduation hit Lynnwood hard. The Royals lost 22 seniors from last year’s team.
Finally, as the league’s only Class 2A team, Shorecrest looks to be more competitive after a winless season in 2014.
The favorite
Glacier Peak. The Grizzlies have made the playoffs every year since the school opened in 2008. The Grizzlies needed a 45-yard field goal by Spencer Pettit to defeat Edmonds-Woodway in the final conference game of the season last October to keep that streak alive. The Grizzlies should have less trouble keeping that run going in 2015.
The dark horse
Meadowdale. After graduating nearly 20 seniors from last year’s team — and losing head coach Mike Don, who took over as the head coach at Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee — the deck appears stacked against the Mavericks, but they don’t see it that way.
Matt Leonard is Meadowdale’s third coach in the past four seasons, but even with that turnover, the Mavs haven’t missed a beat.
In Don’s two seasons as head coach, he took the Mavericks to the state playoffs twice, including a trip to the 3A state quarterfinals in 2013. While outsiders might expect the Mavericks to have a down year, Leonard and his team fully expect to be back in the state playoffs in 2015.
5 games to watch
Glacier Peak at Snohomish (Sept. 4): Though it is a non-league game, it’s hard to beat the atmosphere when these crosstown rivals get together for their yearly matchup.
Meadowdale at Edmonds-Woodway (Sept. 18): It may take place early in conference play, but this game could have a big say in how the Wesco 3A South plays out.
Glacier Peak at Meadowdale (Sept. 25): It seems like one of these teams is the conference champion every year. Glacier Peak is the favorite this season, but the Mavericks are eager to prove that they still belong near the top despite losing several starters from last year’s team and welcoming a new head coach in the offseason.
Mountlake Terrace at Glacier Peak (Oct. 9): Last year, Glacier Peak led 22-0 at halftime on the road, only to be stunned by the Hawks, 33-32. Terrace went on to the best season in school history, while the Grizzlies had to win their final game of the regular season just to make the playoffs.
Edmonds-Woodway at Glacier Peak (Oct. 23): Glacier Peak got long field goals from Spencer Pettit to close the first half and the game in a 20-17 win over the Warriors. The victory gave the Grizzlies a playoff spot and eliminated the Warriors from postseason contention. This year, the game could determine the league champion.
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