‘Huge game’ for Lake Stevens and Monroe
Published 11:02 pm Thursday, October 9, 2014
The Lake Stevens-Monroe football game has had major playoff implications in each of the past two seasons.
Two years ago, Monroe upset Lake Stevens and went on to earn a share of the Wesco 4A North championship. In 2013, the Vikings’ win over Monroe helped them finish one game ahead of the Bearcats and claim the title outright.
The two teams meet again tonight — and once again the stakes are high. Lake Stevens enters the game with a 3-0 conference record, while the Bearcats are 2-1 after dropping their first game of the season last Friday to Kamiak.
“It’s a huge game for us,” Lake Stevens head coach Tom Tri said. “They’re definitely a rival. That’s been going on for many, many years, back before I even got here. The last few years both teams have been pretty dang good, so that just increased the intensity and the rivalry between the two (teams).”
Kamiak, which plays Lake Stevens Oct. 24 at Goddard Stadium, is also 3-0 in conference play, but for now, the Vikings’ sole focus is on Monroe.
“I know that Kamiak has got a heck of a team and that Mariner is playing really well right now, but we know that in order to win the league we certainly have to beat Monroe,” Tri said. “We’re not looking anywhere past Monroe, let’s put it that way. It’s all about Monroe this week and what we can try to do to be successful on the field on Friday.”
Under first-year head coach Brett Jay, Monroe won its first four games before falling to Kamiak 27-23 last week. The Bearcats’ success has had a lot to do with their high-powered offense, led by senior quarterback Andrew Zimmerman and sophomore running back JJ Jerome.
But Zimmerman won’t play Friday night, Jay said. Zimmerman injured his knee in the second half of last week’s game and was unable to return. The Bearcats got bad news this week when they learned Zimmerman has a torn MCL that will require surgery. He likely will miss the rest of the season.
Another Zimmerman, Andrew’s younger brother Zach, a sophomore, will start at QB against the Vikings.
“He’s been playing quarterback for many years,” Jay said of his new starter. “He played all through the spring at quarterback and we know he’s one of the best competitors in our program so we knew we had to get him on the field. He has had reps there and he’s had a great week of practice and we’re just going to try to pick up where (Andrew) left off.”
Zimmerman’s injury didn’t change the way Tri prepared his team for Friday’s game.
“We game plan like (Andrew Zimmerman) is 100 percent healthy,” Tri said. “He is obviously a major factor for them and he does a really good job of reading the defense and getting the ball out on time, so their second-string or third-string guy or whoever plays is probably not going to be as quick on his reads, but other than that, we’re planning on Zimmerman playing on Friday and we’re doing everything we can to prepare for him.”
If the younger Zimmerman can run the office as well as his brother did in the first five games — Andrew Zimmerman completed 57 percent of his passes for 838 yards and 11 TDs — Friday’s contest could be one of the most competitive Wesco 4A games this season.
“We want to attack,” Jay said. “Whether it’s on offense or defense, we like to attack.
“This game is huge. We fully understand how important this game is.”
Here’s a look at Friday’s key games:
Monroe at Lake Stevens
Where: Lake Stevens High School
When: 7 p.m.
Key Players: Monroe—Zach Zimmerman, So., QB; Alex Vidican, Sr., OL/DL; McKinley Braa, Sr., WR/DB; Cory Brown, Sr., RB/LB; Shanden Mixayphone, Sr., WR/DB; Dillon Fargo, Jr., RB/LB; JJ Jerome, So., RB/S; Tristan Lund, Jr., WR/LB; Jesse Jarosky, Jr., WR/S. Lake Stevens—Tevin Gray, Sr., WR/S; Justin Brown, Sr., WR/DB; Riley Krenz, Jr., TE/S; Kolby Jones, Sr., OL/LB; Jacob Eason, Jr., QB; Andrew Cook, Sr., T/DE, Andrew Grimes, Jr., RB/LB; Hunter Eckstrom, So., WR/DB.
Records: Monroe 2-1 league, 4-1 overall. Lake Stevens 3-0, 4-1.
Twitter: @krueger_david
What you need to know: A Lake Stevens victory tonight moves the Vikings a step closer to a conference championship, while a Monroe win pulls the Bearcats back into contention for the title after last week’s tough loss to Kamiak. The game features the top passer in Wesco 4A in Lake Stevens quarterback Jacob Eason, who has completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,448 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Herald Pick: Lake Stevens
Stanwood at Arlington
Where: Arlington High School (John C. Larson Stadium)
When: 7 p.m.
Key Players: Stanwood—Garret Arrona, Sr., DE/LB/OL; Anthony Ortega, Sr., RB/LB; Grant Guadamuz, Sr., RB/DB; Chad Niven, Sr., RB/DB/QB; Kyle Jackels, Jr., RB/DB; Jayce Wheeler, Sr., RB/LB; Owen Reinecke, Sr., OL/DL. Arlington—Gareth Henderson, Sr., OL/LB; Anthony Parra, Sr., WR/LB/K; Cam Scrimgeour, Sr., TE/LB; Connor Bovard, Sr., WR/DB; Noah Andal, Sr., WR/DB/QB; Beni Madrigal-Reis, Jr., OL/DL.
Records: Stanwood 1-1 league, 1-4 overall. Arlington 1-1, 3-2.
Webcast: TCSN (http://www.meridix.com/everywhere.php?liveid=Tcsnsports)
Twitter: @heraldnetpreps
What you need to know: The annual Stilly Cup has been thoroughly dominated by Arlington recently. Prior to last year’s 34-21 win over Stanwood, the Eagles beat the Spartans 60-0 in 2012 and 59-0 in 2011.
Herald Pick: Arlington
Glacier Peak at Mountlake Terrace
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: 5 p.m.
Key Players: Glacier Peak—Mosese Fifita, Sr., OL/DL; Spencer Pettit, Sr., K; Brandon Jensen Sr., OLB; Justin Guffey, Jr., WR/FS; Andrew McCoy, Jr., TE/OLB; Iain Black, Jr., RB/ILB; Brady Southard, Sr., QB; Mason Braun, OL, Sr. Mountlake Terrace—Malcolm Johnson, Sr., RB/LB; Austin Bates, Sr., TE/LB; Ryan Lacasse, Sr., RB/DB; Mikey Jenson, Jr., RB/LB/K; Billy Parkins, Sr., OL/DL; Gabe Brady, Sr., WR/LB.
Records: Glacier Peak 2-1 league, 3-2 overall. Mountlake Terrace 2-1, 4-1.
Webcast: www.soundlivesportsnetwork.com
Twitter: @aaronlommers
What you need to know: The teams come into this game with identical conference records. The winner will leave with the inside track at second place in the Wesco 3A/2A South and still have an outside shot at the championship. Terrace boasts the No. 2 and No. 3 rushers in the league in Lacasse (568 yards) and Johnson (455 yards)
Herald Pick: Mountlake Terrace
Meadowdale at Lynnwood
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: 8 p.m.
Key Players: Meadowdale—Malik Braxton, Sr., RB/DB; Charlie White, Sr., TE/LB; Nick Neely, Sr., LB; Tim Smith, Sr., OL/DL; Brett Schafer, Sr., K; Garrett Walsh, Sr., FB/DE; Rory Spillum, Sr., RB/DB; Jimmy Bruders, Sr., LB. Lynnwood—Joseph McKay, Sr., OL/DL; Andrew Katzenberger, Sr., RB/LB; Richard Troung, Sr., WR/DB; Alton Hammon, Soph., QB/RB/S/LB; Justin Cachopo, Sr., QB.
Records: Meadowdale 4-0 league, 4-1 overall. Lynnwood 1-2, 3-2.
Webcast: www.soundlivesportsnetwork.com
Twitter: @aaronlommers
What you need to know: A victory by Meadowdale clinches at least a share of the Wesco 3A South championship with only winless Shorecrest remaining on the Mavericks’ conference schedule.
Herald Pick: Meadowdale
Mount Vernon at Mariner
Where: Mariner High School (Goddard Stadium)
When: 7 p.m.
Key Players: Mount Vernon—Tristan Brock, Sr., FB/LB; Gabe Beuckman, Sr., WR/SS; Brandon Hayman, Sr., RB/DB; Danny Reyes, Sr., WR/FS; TE/DE; Taran Lambert, Jr., WR/DB; Jason Mustappa, Sr., QB/S; Hayden Schmidt, Sr., RB/DB. Mariner—Dyonte Law, Sr., RB/DB; Greg Whitaker, Sr., RB/LB; Jeremiah Bell, Sr., OL/LB; Octayvien Sapp, Sr., TE/LB; Conner Griffin, Sr., OL/DL; DeRhaun Mallett, Jr., OL/DL.
Records: Mount Vernon 0-3 league, 0-5 overall. Mariner 2-1, 2-3.
Twitter: @heraldnetpreps
What you need to know: After losing its first three games of the season, Mariner has rebounded and is looking for its third straight win. With a 252-yard rushing effort last week against Jackson, Mariner running back Dyonte Law took over as the Wesco 4A’s leading rusher (790 yards, 10 TDs on 94 carries).
Herald Pick: Mariner
