For four Wesco football teams it’s come down to one game for a chance to go to the playoffs.
Arlington and Mariner in Wesco 4A and Mountlake Terrace and Marysville Getchell in Wesco 3A will play tonight for the third, and final, district playoff spot from their respective leagues.
Three of the four teams didn’t make the playoffs last season, including Getchell, which didn’t win a game a year ago.
Here’s a look at the four teams and what they’ll have to do to win:
For a look at all the playoff possibilities, click here.
Arlington
A year ago, the Eagles jumped out to a 4-0 start before wilting down the stretch and seeing their district playoff hopes dashed in a Kansas City tiebreaker loss Snohomish.
Arlington got off to a slow start this season but came on after Skylor Elgarico was switched to quarterback. Arlington will have to slow down the Mariner running back duo of Josh Williamson and Kiante Ahmad-Woods and control the game with the running of Elgarico and John Decker.
Mariner
The Marauders lost to Arlington 42-12 in the season opener last year but this is a different team. Yes KeiVarae Russell is in South Bend, but Williamson and Ahmad-Woods have taken off in his absence, rushing for a combined 1,500-plus yards so far.
Mariner is coming off a turnover-filled loss to Edmonds-Woodway last week and will need to take care of the ball tonight if it wants to return to the district playoffs.
For a look at the Week 9 picks and The Herald’s prep football podcast, click here.
Mountlake Terrace
The Hawks got off to a poor start this season, but turned it on late winning two in a row behind the running of Devante Downs and Chance Ragsdale. The two power backs combined to rush for 355 yards in a win over Shorewood last week and Downs had 158 yards in a win over Shorecrest the week before.
Terrace will have to control the ball with Downs and Ragsdale and protect against the Chargers’ big plays to win.
Marysville Getchell
The Chargers were winless and struggled through growing pains a year ago, but this year they’ve shown promise behind a large returning cast. Players like quarterback Dylan Diedrich, running back Cullen Zackuse and receivers Kaleb and Zander Seymer have made big strides in their second year as starters and now have the Chargers on the brink of their first playoff appearance.
To win, Getchell must contain Terrace’s offense and strike quickly on offense. Watch for some trick plays from the Chargers and if they hit they’ve got a real shot.
For a look back at the prep football season so far, click here.
Mountlake Terrace vs. Marysville Getchell
Where: Quil Ceda Stadium
When: 5 p.m.
Records: Mountlake Terrace (2-2 3A South, 4-4 overall); Marysville Getchell (2-2 3A North, 4-4)
Key players: Mountlake Terrace—Devante Downs, Jr., RB; Mason Stone, Sr., WR/DB; Beau Kennedy, Sr., QB; Quintin Barnard, Sr., WR/DB; Shawn Evenson, Sr., WR/DB. Marysville Getchell—Dylan Diedrich, Sr., QB; Cullen Zackuse, Sr., RB/LB; Kaleb Seymer, Jr., WR/DB; Zander Seymer, Sr., WR/DB.
Twitter: @aaronlommers
Arlington vs. Mariner
Where: Goddard Stadium
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Arlington (2-2 4A North, 3-5); Mariner (3-2 4A South, 5-3)
Key players: Arlington—Skylor Elgarico, Sr., RB/WR/DB; John Decker, Sr., RB; Austin Wells, Jr., QB; A.J. Passalacqua, Sr., QB. Mariner—Josh Williamson, Jr., RB/LB; Dan Nadat, Sr., QB/DB; Kiante Ahmad-Woods, Sr., RB/LB; Malcolm Manson, Sr., WR/DE; Hector Ruiz, Sr., OL/DL.
Twitter: @heraldnetpreps
Meadowdale vs. Oak Harbor
Where: Wildcats Memorial Stadium, Oak Harbor
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Meadowdale (3-1 3A South, 6-2); Oak Harbor (3-1 3A North, 6-2)
Key players: Meadowdale—Malik Braxton, So., HB/DB, Jeremiah Evans, Jr., QB; Morgan Masanda, Sr., DB/W, Mike Cummings, Sr., OL/LB, Chace Diemond, Sr., HB. Oak Harbor—Ian Kolste, Sr., QB; Dayne Herron, Sr., OT/DT; Jeremy Foster, Sr., OT/DT; Isaiah Trower, Sr., RB/DB; JoJo Webster, Sr., WR/DB; Fred Webster, Sr., RB/DB.
Lake Stevens vs. Edmonds-Woodway
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: 8 p.m.
Records: Lake Stevens (3-1 4A North, 6-2); Edmonds-Woodway (4-1 4A South, 6-2)
Key players: Lake Stevens—Andrew Elgaen, Sr., TE/LB; Conner Coleman, Sr., WR/DB; Gavin O’Neil, Jr., QB; Brandon Johnson, Sr., G/DT; Carey Campbell, Sr., TE/DE. Edmonds-Woodway—Desmond Young, Sr., RB/DB; Davis Giles, Jr., QB; Matt Cuzzetto, Sr., WR/DB; Travis Bakken, Jr., TE/DL; Theo Lebesis, Jr., TE/LB.
Twitter: @ebenner83
Monroe vs. Jackson
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
When: 8 p.m.
Key players: Monroe—Mitchell Price, Sr., QB; Hunter Bingham, Jr., QB; Gabe Moore, Jr., RB/LB; Dylan Judson, Sr., TE/LB; Max Blais, Jr., RB/LB. Jackson—Conor Plaisance, Sr., QB; Larry Baker-Bruce, Sr., RB/WR/DB; Keynan Foster, So., WR/DB; Trey Robinson, Jr., WR/DB.
Twitter: @jonsap
Glacier Peak vs. M. Pilchuck
Where: Quil Ceda Stadium
When: 8 p.m.
Key players: Glacier Peak—Michael Palmer, Sr., RB/OLB; Chris Beccera, Sr., QB; Sean Elledge, Sr., WR/S; Austin Jacobsen, ILB; Nate Bussing, ILB. Marysville Pilchuck—Jake Luton, Jr., QB; Austin Joyner, So., RB/DB; Kacey Walker, RB/OLB; Jordan Hoorn, Sr., LB; Austin Gianetto, TE/DE.
Twitter: @aaronlommers
Mount Vernon vs. Cascade
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
When: 5 p.m.
Records: Mount Vernon (1-3 4A North, 2-6); Cascade (1-4 4A South, 3-5)
Key players: Cascade—Ryan Lukas, Sr., QB/DB; KJ Brady, Jr., WR/DB; Kaleb Dobson, Jr., WR/DB; Steven Gallardo, Sr., TE/DL; KeJuan Coleman, So., RB/LB. Mount Vernon—Bennett Gibson, Sr., QB; Zach Bamba, Sr., WR/DB; Micah Scott, Jr., F/LB.
Twitter: @swaney_aaron79
Other games
Ballard vs. Lynnwood at Edmonds Stadium, 5 p.m.; Shorecrest at Stanwood, South Whidbey at Cedarcrest, Coupeville at Sultan, Archbishop Murphy at Granite Falls, 7 p.m.
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