State showdown features Wesco’s top two tailbacks
Published 10:46 pm Thursday, November 8, 2007
It’s not the showdown Wesco fans would prefer. A clash of unbeaten division champions Oak Harbor (North) and Edmonds-Woodway (South) can only materialize if both teams reach the Class 4A state final. But Saturday’s clash between E-W and North runner-up Snohomish is the next best thing.
The game is so huge that E-W, which normally plays its home games in Edmonds Stadium, opted to rent Seattle Memorial Stadium to accommodate an anticipated crowd that would have overwhelmed Edmonds Stadium.
The game pits the top rusher in the North — Snohomish’s Derek Jones with 213 carries for 1,732 yards and 19 touchdowns — against the top rusher in the South — E-W’s Tony Heard with 199 carries for 1,819 yards and 25 TDs.
Both standouts are surrounded by outstanding supporting casts. Jones is complemented by fellow running back Miles Semanskee (109 carries, 728 yards, six TDs) and quarterback Brad Perry (450 rushing yards, 369 passing). Heard’s rushes are paired with an E-W passing game headed up by QB Kyle McCartney (67-for-102 for 1,297 yards and 13 TDs) and wide receiver Antoinne Wafer (28 catches, 576 yards, seven TDs).
Although they play in different divisions of the Wesco, the two teams had one common opponent this season. E-W beat Mariner 54-20 on Sept. 7. Snohomish beat the Marauders 22-20 on Sept. 28.
The winner advances to the 4A state quarterfinals.
Here’s a look at Snohomish-E-W and the rest of the weekend schedule:
Snohomish vs. Edmonds-Woodway
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Seattle Memorial Stadium
Records: Snohomish 9-1 overall. E-W 10-0.
Last year: Snohomish did not qualify. E-W defeated Curtis 41-38.
Last week: Snohomish RBs Derek Jones and Miles Semanskee each scored a TD in the Panthers’ 13-12 win over Kentwood. E-W RB Tony Heard ran 25 times for 175 yards in a 24-6 win over Ballard.
Players to watch: See above.
Breaking down the game: See Snohomish run. See E-W run. Run. Run. Run. Wait a minute. Who’s that airing it out? Why it’s E-W QB Kyle McCartney. E-W’s superior passing game will be the difference.
John McDonald’s pick: E-W 28-21.
Mike Cane’s pick: E-W 28-27.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: E-W 28-14.
Eastlake vs. Cascade
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Records: Eastlake 9-1 overall. Cascade 7-3.
Last year: Eastlake defeated Olympia 17-7. Cascade was eliminated in the preliminary round.
Last week: Eastlake QB Ryan Robertson threw for 312 yards and three TDs in a 28-25 win over Bethel. Cascade RB Lorne Bridgford carried 34 times for 257 yards and two TDs, including the game-winner on a 1-yard run on the last play of the game in a 27-21 victory over Federal Way.
Player to watch: Cascade inside linebacker Nick Morrison has 110 tackles this season — 17 for losses — and six sacks for a defense that has an average yield of 11 points per game.
Breaking down the game: Cascade needs to be able to sustain its running game, control possession and the clock and get some picks to stage an upset.
John McDonald’s pick: Cascade 21-14 OT.
Mike Cane’s pick: Cascade 21-20.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Eastlake 14-7.
Mariner vs. Inglemoor
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Pop Keeney Stadium, Bothell
Records: Mariner 8-2 overall. Inglemoor 6-4.
Last year: Mariner lost 43-42 in double overtime to Oak Harbor. Inglemoor did not qualify.
Last week: Inglemoor’s Alex Sanford scored the game’s only TD and intercepted a pass at his own 17-yard line with a minute to play to preserve a 7-3 win over Rogers. Mariner QB Tyler Tuiasosopo was 8-for-18 for 120 yards and two TDs, including a 43-yard game-winning TD pass to Joey Dillon with 4:48 to play in a 31-17 win over Kentridge.
Player to watch: Tuiasosopo is closing in on 1,000 yards passing (he has 892).
Breaking down the game: Inglemoor is good, but Mariner has seen better.
John McDonald’s pick: Mariner 21-14.
Mike Cane’s pick: Mariner 17-14.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Mariner 34-13.
Meadowdale vs. Evergreen
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Highline Stadium, Burien
Records: Meadowdale 6-4 overall. Evergreen 9-1.
Last year: Both teams were eliminated in the preliminary round.
Last week: Evergreen scored three third-quarter TDs to break a halftime tie en route to a 42-21 win over West Seattle. Meadowdale RB Naji Moore-Taylor ran for 176 yards and five TDs in a 40-19 victory over Auburn Riverside.
Player to watch: Moore-Taylor has been a serendipitous addition for Meadowdale, averaging two TDs a game for a team that lost two starting RBs to injuries.
Breaking down the game: Meadowdale still hasn’t lost to a 3A opponent, but Evergreen is going to be the Mavericks’ toughest challenge to date.
John McDonald’s pick: Meadowdale 28-21.
Mike Cane’s pick: Evergreen 28-24.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Evergreen 21-17.
Oak Harbor vs. Olympia
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ingersoll Stadium, Olympia
Records: Oak Harbor 10-0 overall. Olympia 8-2.
Last year: Oak Harbor defeated Mariner 43-42 in double overtime. Olympia lost 17-7 to Eastlake.
Last week: Olympia RB Casey Sherwood had 25 carries for 165 yards and two TDs in a 45-0 win over Skyview. Oak Harbor QB Johnny Encinas was 17-for-31 for 240 yards and two TDs in a 20-10 win over Bellarmine Prep.
Player to watch: Encinas is the leading passer in the Wesco with 1,945 yards and 27 TDs.
Breaking down the game: Oak Harbor will have to be at its best to overcome a hot Olympia team on the road.
John McDonald’s pick: Oak Harbor 21-14.
Mike Cane’s pick: Olympia 34-27.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Oak Harbor 28-21.
Mark Morris vs. Archbishop Murphy
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Records: Mark Morris 8-2 overall. Archbishop Murphy 10-0.
Last year: Mark Morris did not qualify. Archbishop Murphy defeated Hoquiam 14-7.
Last week: Mark Morris posted its first playoff win since 1987, converting three Aberdeen turnovers into two TDs and a safety in a 22-13 victory. Murphy RB CJ Milburn carried 15 times for 92 yards and two TDs in a 28-6 win over Bellingham.
Player to watch: Milburn has 336 yards rushing and seven TDs since replacing the injured Henry Woods five weeks ago.
Breaking down the game: For the second straight week Murphy has drawn an opponent just making it to the playoffs after a long drought. Wait til next year, Monarchs.
John McDonald’s pick: Murphy 28-7.
Mike Cane’s pick: Murphy 27-19.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Murphy 35-15.
Toutle Lake vs. Darrington
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Darrington H.S.
Records: Toutle Lake 8-2 overall. Darrington 10-0.
Last year: Toutle Lake defeated Tacoma Baptist 39-6. Darrington did not qualify.
Last week: Toutle Lake scored five unanswered TDs to start the game in a 34-8 win over Wahkiakum. Darrington RB Mike Parris ran for three TDs in a 52-17 win over Seattle Lutheran.
Player to watch: Darrington QB Mark Jones is a threat to run or pass.
Breaking down the game: It’s hard to beat an undefeated team on its home turf.
John McDonald’s pick: Darrington 42-21.
Mike Cane’s pick: Darrington 28-13.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Darrington 26-13.
Highland Christian vs. Lake Quinault
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lake Quinault H.S.
Records: Highland Christian 6-3 overall. Lake Quinault 7-3.
Last year: Lake Quinault beat Lopez Island 40-0. This is Highland Christian’s first year playing football.
Last week: Lake Quinault won a three-way tiebreaker over Wishkah Valley and Neah Bay on Wednesday. Caleb Brown ran for a TD and caught a TD pass, Stormee Brown ran for two TDs and Chase Fuller caught two TD passes from Jesse Brown in a 54-8 win over Mansfield.
Players to watch: The Browns.
Breaking down the game: For first-year players, the Falcons have a pretty good grasp of the game. They should move on.
John McDonald’s pick: Highland Christian 40-26.
Mike Cane’s pick: Highland Christian 41-37.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Highland Christian 14-7.
All three prognosticators were 9-3 last week. Herald Writer Mike Cane is 35-12 on the season. Prep Editor John McDonald is 34-13. KRKO broadcaster Tom Lafferty is 33-14.
