As the Friday night lights turn to full blast and a crisp fall chill fills the air, that’s a sign to open the concession stands, bring out the marching bands, do the coin tosses and prepare for kickoff. Here is the 2024 Wesco 4A football preview, including a coaches poll and specific team information.
Arlington moves up to 4A after going undefeated in the Wesco 3A North in 2023. Cascade, which played in the Wesco Polk last season, also moves into Wesco 4A.
COACHES POLL
The predicted order of finish, as voted on by the league’s coaches. Included is the average placing for each team with the number of first-place votes in parentheses.
1. Lake Stevens (4) — 1.0
2. Arlington (1) — 1.8
3. Glacier Peak — 2.6
4. Kamiak — 4.2
5. Jackson — 4.25
6. Cascade — 5.3
7. Mariner — 5.4
NOTE: Coaches weren’t allowed to vote for their own teams. Mariner chose not to vote, while Kamiak ranked just the top three. All other coaches fully participated in the voting.
ARLINGTON
Last season: 11-1 overall, 7-0 in Wesco 3A North
Coach: Greg Dailer (17th season)
Offense: Spread
Defense: 3-3 stack
Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense
Key players: Leyton Martin, sr., QB; Jake Willis, sr., WR/DB; Kaid Hunter, sr., WR/DB; Dylan Scott, sr., OL/DL; Rory Kahler, sr., OL/DL.
Overview: After a dominant season in the Wesco 3A North capped by a quarterfinal state playoff loss to eventual champion Bellevue, Arlington moves up to the 4A level. The Eagles appear to be the best challenger to two-time defending state champion Lake Stevens.
“You can tell we have a little more sense of urgency and we have a chip on our shoulder,” Martin said. “We didn’t hit our ultimate goal last year, but I think a lot of us know this is our last opportunity. So it’s motivated us even more.”
Willis and his teammates believe the team is a a contender again this year.
“It’s gonna take getting the little things done and working hard in every practice,” he said. “Just playing our game. I think we’ve got a good opportunity to go do it.”
CASCADE
Last season: 3-6 overall, 1-0 in Wesco Polk
Coach: Joe Rue (1st season as head coach, fifth season at Cascade)
Offense: Wings and Things (Wing-T/Spread)
Defense: 4-2-5
Returning starters: 5 offense, 6 defense
Key players: Andi Cosme, sr., WB/CB; Ray Siharath, sr., QB; Brandon Lagutang, sr., FB, LB; Devyn Chan, sr., HB/LB; Marcell Alexander, sr., WR/LB; Gabe Dulan, sr., TE/DE; Davon Nelson, sr., C/DL; Daron Rainey, sr., OG, DE.
Overview: The Bruins, who were a regular state contender under legendary coach Terry Ennis in the 1990s, have not advanced to the state playoffs since 2013. Though a top-three finish would be a tall order with a top-heavy conference, the Bruins hope to surprise some teams this season.
“We’re feeling very optimistic about this year,” said, Rue, who takes over as head coach after three seasons as defensive coordinator. “We haven’t been to the the playoffs in several years, so that’s a big expectation for us. We still want to win the battle of Broadway against Everett, and we still want to beat Jackson to be the best team in our (Everett) school district. We also want to be in the top four is Wesco 4A, and we want to make the playoffs — and win a few games in the playoffs. We are very capable of that.”
Cosme, who plays wingback, receiver and cornerback, said the team is buying in more this season and looks to become more consistent.
“When everything is going well, we have a really good high,” Cosme said. “But when we have lows, our team is really low. (Now) we can get the low real high, real quick.”
GLACIER PEAK
Last season: 6-4 overall, 3-1 in Wesco 4A
Coach: Shane Keck (5th season)
Offense: Power Spread
Defense: 3-4
Returning starters: 5 offense, 6 defense
Key players: Connor Aney, sr. OL/DL; Cade Willis, sr., OL/DL; Lucas Entler, sr., QB; Nolan Andahl, sr., TE/OLB; Tony Chairez, sr., OL/DL; Michael Darling, sr., WR/DB; Isaiah Olson, jr., WR/DB; Dane Chapman, jr., OL/DL; Luke Fullerton, jr., WR/OLB.
Overview: No Wesco 4A coach voted the Grizzlies lower than third in the coaches poll, and there seems to be a pretty clear dividing line after the top three teams. Glacier Peak was second in both scoring and points allowed last season, but fell 42-7 to eventual state champion Lake Stevens. Keck said he had not played a sophomore previously, but used seven or eight in games last season. He believes this team is more experienced and ready to challenge for the top of the conference.
“Last year was not a good year,” Keck said. “It was a down year for us. That’s how we feel about it. We didn’t play to our standard that we’ve set, and has been set for us.”
We’re looking forward to getting back on track and competing to win a state title.”
Entler agrees with his coach.
“We’re looking great,” he said. “Our (offensive) line is looking the best it ever has.
“I think we’re going to blow some people away. I don’t think people understand that last year we were literally starting sophomores and juniors. They’re going to be big time players this year.”
JACKSON
Last season: 3-8 overall, 1-5 in Wesco 4A
Coach: Mason Siddick (6th season)
Offense: Spread
Defense: 4-3 quarters
Returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense
Key players: Cole Truant, sr., WR/CB; Tyler Lykken, sr., RB/SS; Colby Bossert, jr., QB; Samba Mbaye, sr., OT/DE; Will Gamache, sr., OL/DL; Haseeb Rassulli, sr., TE/LB; Malikai Asberry, sr., RB/LB; Jason Pham, sr., OLB; Seamus William, Jr., WR/FS.
Overview: With 16 returning starters, Jackson could sneak up on some teams this season after finishing last in the league in 2023. The Timberwolves lost three games by six or less points last year, and hope to finish a few more opponents in 2024.
“I am honestly excited for our whole team,” Siddick said. “We have been through so many growing pains together, and these guys have trusted the process. They have raised to the standard, and I would love nothing more than for them to have success.”
Rassulli said the team has the experience required to take some steps forward this season.
“This senior class has started since sophomore year,” he said. “With all the experience, and with the new players coming in, I feel like this is going to be the best year so far.”
KAMIAK
Last season: 1-9 overall, 1-3 in Wesco 4A
Coach: Ivan McLeannan (2nd season)
Offense: 12 personnel
Defense: 3-4
Returning starters: 4 offense, 6 defense
Key players: T’Andre Waverly, Victor Sanchez, Zamari Mitchell, Onkar Bhagnu, Julian Notoa, Connor O’Meara, Ashton Smiles, Jay Scott Jr., Ezra Davis (positions not indicated)
Overview: McLeannan took over in March of 2023 when former head coach Bryant Thomas left for as assistant coaching position at Portland State. The Knights struggled last season, allowing a conference-high 33.8 points per game while scoring a second-worst average of 12.8 points in Wesco 4A matchups. Kamiak boasts two of the state’s top recruits in Waverly, a tight and and defensive end who has received multiple Power 4 conference offers, and Sanchez, a defensive end Washington commit.
“These boys have been working so hard over the offseason — really grinding and coming together,” McLeannan said. “So I cannot wait until Sept. 6 to see them play.”
“We have to continue to grow our culture and our program. We’ve been through so much the last year-and-half or two years with this program. For us, it’s how can we win our daily processes.”
“We look solid,” said Sanchez, who has a 4.2 grade point average. “Arguably, I think we have the best defensive line in the state.”
“We’ve got speed and physicality. When it comes to IQ, we are all on the same page.”
Waverly said he sees a difference with the team this season.
“There’s a lot more buy-in this year,” he said. “The coaches, everyone is locked in and on the same page. … I’m really confident going in to this year. I say this every day to our coaches: “There’s no way we’re not going to be good this year.”
LAKE STEVENS
Last season: 13-1 overall, Class 4A state champions, 4-0 in Wesco 4A
Coach: Tom Tri (20th season)
Offense: Spread
Defense: 4-2-5
Returning starters: 6 offense, 1 defense
Key players: Kolton Matson, sr., QB; Jayshon Limar, sr., RB/LB; Keagan Howard, sr., TE/LB; Luke Baird, sr., OL/DL; Ashton Kasch, sr., OL/DL; Cannon Kanard, sr., WR/DB; Seth Price, soph., WR/DB; Will Lynch, soph., OL/DL.
Overview: Can they do it? The Vikings are trying to do what no team has accomplished — win three consecutive Class 4A state championships. Though they must replace 15 starters, this is not a shallow Lake when it comes to player talent.
“I’ve been doing this a long time,” said Tri, who has won 11 straight league titles. “So for me it’s fun to have a new group of guys, because it’s s fresh start.”
The Vikings seem comfortable with the pressure that comes with trying to win three in a row.
“It’s a lot of pressure, but I really wouldn’t have it any other way,” Howard said. “I like having that pressure.”
MARINER
Last season: 3-8 overall, 2-3 in Wesco 4A
Coach: CJ Adkins (2nd season)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: Multiple
Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense
Key players: Haris Arnautovic, jr., OT; Data Neang, sr., WR/CB; Gavin Molisani, sr., TE/LB; Ilya Grabovskiy, sr., OG; Khang Truong, sr., WR/FS; Monty James, jr., RB/LB; Jesus Cienega, sr., C/DT; Anthony Smiles, soph., QB.
Overview: Picked to finish last in the league, the Marauders hope 14 returning starters will keep them in the fight for a top four finish.
“My goal for my team is to compete every play, every day,” Adkins said. “A hundred percent, hundred miles an hour.”
Molisani believes the defense will improve from the unit that allowed 31 points per game in conference last season.
“It’s coming together good,” he said. “A lot of guys are chomping at the bit to hit somebody, so I think we’re sitting pretty.”
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