Key Week 6 games: Lake Stevens hosts GP in clash of unbeatens
Published 1:30 am Friday, October 5, 2018
Having already defeated rival Monroe and upstart Mount Vernon, this next test likely is the biggest remaining hurdle between the Lake Stevens football team and a sixth consecutive conference crown.
The third-ranked Vikings host Glacier Peak in a Wesco 4A showdown of unbeatens Friday night that’s brimming with league-title implications.
“You always love playing big games, and this is certainly a big game,” Lake Stevens coach Tom Tri said. “Two teams that are 5-0, two teams that are fighting for a league championship (and) two rival teams that have had a little bit of a history.
“Our guys are excited about Friday and looking forward to trying to play the best they can.”
It’s been another dominant start to the season for the Vikings (5-0 overall, 3-0 Wesco 4A), who are riding a 34-game conference win streak.
Lake Stevens has outscored opponents by nearly 29 points per game, relying on a strong defense and balanced offense that’s centered more on the run game than in years past. Behind an overpowering offensive line, the Vikings average 254 yards rushing per game and 6.7 yards per carry.
“I think we have to establish our physicality on the line of scrimmage,” Tri said. “They’ve got a great D-line and great O-line, but so do we. And so I think a key factor in either team’s ability to have success is right up front in the trenches.”
Tri said senior-led Glacier Peak (5-0, 3-0) looks more physical than in years past, and that facing standout fourth-year starting quarterback Ayden Ziomas always is a challenge.
“Ziomas has created a lot of nightmares with defensive coordinators,” Tri said. “Not only can he run the ball on designed run plays, but (he has the) ability to make a big play out of nothing just by playing backyard football. His ability to scramble and turn a (potential) incompletion into a 25-yard touchdown run — we haven’t faced a quarterback like that yet this year.
“We’re going to have to do a real good job of keeping him contained and keeping him in the pocket for our defense to get off the field.”
GLACIER PEAK at No. 3 LAKE STEVENS
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Lake Stevens H.S.
Radio: KRKO 1380 AM
The skinny: With both teams off to dominant starts, this showdown of unbeatens could potentially determine the Wesco 4A title. Lake Stevens routed Glacier Peak each of the past two seasons, winning the two meetings by a combined 117-17 margin.
Glacier Peak: 5-0 overall, 3-0 Wesco 4A; beat Cascade 57-6 last week
About the Grizzlies: Glacier Peak is off to its first 5-0 start since 2013 and has outscored three opponents by more than 50 points. Ziomas leads the Grizzlies’ high-powered offense, having combined for 1,650 total yards and 27 touchdowns. Two-way senior standout Evan Mannes has 505 yards receiving and 10 touchdown catches, and helps anchor a defense that allows just 14 points per game.
Lake Stevens: 5-0 overall, 3-0 Wesco 4A; beat Kamiak 58-0 last week
About the Vikings: Five-time defending Wesco 4A champion Lake Stevens is riding a 34-game conference win streak dating back to October 2013. Running behind a big and talented offensive line, junior Dallas Landeros has rushed for 517 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 8.9 yards per carry in the Vikings’ balanced spread attack. Lake Stevens allows just 14.6 points per game and has posted three consecutive halves of shutout football.
Herald pick: Lake Stevens
No. 8 OAK HARBOR at ARLINGTON
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Arlington H.S.
The skinny: These Wesco 3A North rivals have squared off in thrilling contests each of the past two seasons. Last year, Oak Harbor prevailed in a defensive slugfest for a 13-7 triple-overtime win. Two years ago, the Wildcats rallied for a 22-21 victory after blocking a punt in the final minute to set up a touchdown and game-winning two-point conversion.
Oak Harbor: 5-0 overall, 3-0 Wesco 3A North; beat Ferndale 28-13 last week
About the Wildcats: Oak Harbor allows just 9.2 points per game, including just 6.7 points per contest in league play. The trio of Caden Leckelt, Dorian Hardin and Aaron Martinez lead a Wildcats rushing attack that averages six yards per carry and nearly 350 yards per game. Hardin has rushed for 489 yards and five touchdowns, and has a team-high 263 yards receiving and four touchdown catches. Hardin also has four interceptions on defense.
Arlington: 3-2 overall, 2-2 Wesco 3A North; lost to Marysville Getchell 17-14 last week
About the Eagles: With standout senior quarterback Anthony Whitis out with an injury last week, Arlington managed just 227 yards of total offense and fell to Marysville Getchell on a game-winning field goal as time expired. The Eagles have had three games decided by four points or less this season, going 2-1 in those contests.
Herald pick: Oak Harbor
MARYSVILLE GETCHELL at MARYSVILLE PILCHUCK
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Quil Ceda Stadium (Marysville Pilchuck H.S.)
The skinny: Marysville Pilchuck has dominated this crosstown rivalry, winning all six editions of the Berry Bowl by 21 points or more. But with both teams in the thick of a crowded race for Wesco 3A North postseason spots, this has the potential to be the most competitive and intriguing game in this rivalry’s short history.
Marysville Getchell: 2-3 overall, 2-2 Wesco 3A North; beat Arlington 17-14 last week
About the Chargers: After a 49-0 loss to Squalicum two weeks ago, Marysville Getchell bounced back by beating Arlington last week on a game-winning field goal by sophomore Cameron Hazelwood as time expired. Senior quarterback Caleb Koellmer engineered the winning drive and finished with 30 carries for 151 yards, posting his third 100-yard rushing game of the season. After going winless in Wesco 3A North play each of the previous two years, Marysville Getchell is one victory away from reaching three conference wins in a season for the first time in the program’s eight-year history.
Marysville Pilchuck: 4-1 overall, 2-1 Wesco 3A North; beat Stanwood 34-24 last week
About the Tomahawks: Senior running back Trenton Hurst rushed for 189 yards on 33 carries in last week’s win over Stanwood. After a Week 2 shutout loss to eighth-ranked Oak Harbor, Marysville Pilchuck is riding a three-game win streak and has already doubled its win total from last season.
Herald pick: Marysville Pilchuck
