Prep football capsules for key games in Week 6
Published 1:30 am Thursday, October 5, 2017
Edmonds-Woodway’s defense has been a stifling force in recent years, and the unit is off to another strong start this season.
The Warriors are allowing just 14.6 points per game, highlighted by a season-opening shutout of Jackson.
“There’s death, taxes and Edmonds-Woodway defense,” Meadowdale coach Matt Leonard said. “It’s kind of what they do.”
Meadowdale will face that talented defense Friday evening when the Mavericks square off against Class 3A 10th-ranked Edmonds-Woodway at Edmonds Stadium.
“Our defense has kind of led the way for us,” Warriors coach John Gradwohl said. “They’ve done a really nice job, kept us in some games and given us some opportunities — giving the offense a short field.”
The rivalry contest is a rematch of last year’s de facto Wesco 3A South title game, which Meadowdale won 31-14 to claim the league’s top seed.
The Mavericks (3-2 overall, 2-1 Wesco 3A South) graduated several key offensive playmakers from that historic state-semifinal team, but welcomed back running back Jashon Butler. The senior standout missed two games earlier this season due to injury, but returned last week and boosted Meadowdale’s offense with 115 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
“He’s shown that he can take games over,” Leonard said. “He’s a complete back. He runs between the tackles hard, he gets on the edge, he catches passes, he returns kicks, he plays defense. He does it all for us.”
Edmonds-Woodway (4-1, 2-0) also has a standout running back in junior Capassio Cherry, who in three games has rushed for 480 yards and seven touchdowns.
“He hits the hole hard and runs north and south,” Gradwohl said. “But if he gets in the open, he’s fast enough to take it the distance. He runs low (and) runs hard.
“We’re just trying to find a way to get him the ball in space as much as we can.”
MEADOWDALE at No. 10 EDMONDS-WOODWAY
When: 5 p.m., Friday
Where: Edmonds Stadium
Meadowdale: 3-2 overall, 2-1 Wesco 3A South; beat Mountlake Terrace 41-14 last week
About the Mavericks: After being sidelined the previous two games due to injuries, sophomore quarterback Hunter Moen and senior running back Jashon Butler returned to action last week with standout performances in Meadowdale’s rout of Mountlake Terrace. Moen threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, while Butler rushed for 115 yards and three scores. Senior receiver Will Schafer added four catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns as the Mavericks bounced back from a 38-6 loss to Snohomish two weeks ago.
Edmonds-Woodway: 4-1 overall, 2-0 Wesco 3A South; beat Lynnwood 47-8 last week
About the Warriors: After missing the first two games of the season, junior running back Capassio Cherry has rushed for 480 yards and seven touchdowns over the past three weeks, averaging 10.9 yards per carry. Cherry ran for 187 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s rout of Lynnwood, and senior defensive backs Salihou Fatty and Noah Becker each returned an interception for a touchdown. Edmonds-Woodway is allowing just 14.6 points per game, with its lone loss coming in a non-league defeat to Class 4A second-ranked Woodinville. The Warriors are looking to avenge last year’s 31-14 loss to Meadowdale that determined the Wesco 3A South’s top seed.
Herald pick: Edmonds-Woodway
LAKE STEVENS at GLACIER PEAK
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium
Lake Stevens: 4-1 overall, 3-0 Wesco 4A; beat Jackson 49-7 last week
About the Vikings: Lake Stevens exploded for a combined 121 points over the past two weeks in running-clock victories over Mount Vernon and Jackson. Senior receiver Austin Murren has posted back-to-back three-touchdown games, bumping his season total to eight touchdown catches. Lake Stevens’ defensive line had a dominant performance in last week’s win over Jackson, with senior Ryan Sander intercepting two tipped passes and senior Matt Sevao recording three of the Vikings’ seven sacks. Lake Stevens is riding a 27-game Wesco 4A winning streak, with all but two of those victories coming by double digits. The Vikings’ last conference loss was on Oct. 4, 2013.
Glacier Peak: 3-2 overall, 2-1 Wesco 4A; lost to Monroe 57-0 last week
About the Grizzlies: Glacier Peak surrendered nine sacks and managed just 52 total yards in last week’s running-clock shutout loss to sixth-ranked Monroe. Grizzlies dual-threat quarterback Ayden Ziomas entered the contest having totaled 1,615 yards and 20 touchdowns through four games. But against Monroe’s suffocating defense, Ziomas completed just 2 of 16 passes for 69 yards and an interception. Glacier Peak looks to get back on track against Lake Stevens, which routed the Grizzlies 54-3 last season.
Herald pick: Lake Stevens
MARYSVILLE PILCHUCK at ARLINGTON
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Where: Arlington H.S.
Marysville Pilchuck: 2-3 overall, 1-2 Wesco 3A North; lost to Ferndale 46-7 last week
About the Tomahawks: Marysville Pilchuck’s offense managed just seven points and 139 total yards in last week’s blowout loss to Class 3A fourth-ranked Ferndale. The Tomahawks rallied for a 21-13 win over Arlington in last year’s matchup, outscoring the Eagles 14-0 in the second half.
Arlington: 3-2 overall, 1-1 Wesco 3A North; lost to Graham-Kapowsin 35-21 last week
About the Eagles: After a 3-0 start, Arlington has endured back-to-back losses to top-five teams. Two weeks ago, the Eagles suffered a 41-13 loss to Class 3A fourth-ranked Ferndale. Arlington then fell to 4A third-ranked Graham-Kapowsin last week, but not without a strong showing against the South Puget Sound League powerhouse. Arlington built a 14-0 second-quarter lead and trailed just 21-14 through three quarters before Graham-Kapowsin pulled away in the final period.
Herald pick: Arlington
SHORECREST at EVERETT
When: 5 p.m., Friday
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Everett: 3-2 overall, 2-1 Wesco 3A South; beat Snohomish 38-14 last week
About the Seagulls: Everett rolled past Snohomish last week with a dominant second-half performance, breaking a halftime tie with 24 unanswered points. The Seagulls’ defense limited Snohomish to just 196 total yards and held the Keegan Stich-led Panthers nearly 18 points below their season average. Senior quarterback Gabe Maggio paced Everett’s offense, rushing for 124 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns. Junior running back Christian Balmer leads the Seagulls’ rushing attack with 540 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Shorecrest: 4-1 overall, 1-1 Wesco 3A South; beat Shorewood 42-22 last week
About the Scots: Shorecrest has outscored its opponents by an average margin of 19 points per game this season. The Scots have faced a light schedule thus far, as their first five opponents have a combined six wins. Sophomore quarterback Eladio Fountain has completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 971 yards and 11 touchdowns. His favorite target is senior Chris Lee, who has 502 yards receiving and five touchdown catches. Senior running back Ricardo Ruiz has rushed for 588 yards and 10 scores. Shorecrest is looking to avenge last year’s 52-35 loss to Everett.
Herald pick: Everett
