A look at this week’s top local high school football matchups

Week 2 of the high school football season is here.

And with it comes a trio of Snohomish County’s top programs being tested in must-watch non-league clashes.

Here’s a look at some of the area’s top games this week:

BELLEVUE AT LAKE STEVENS

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Lake Stevens H.S.

The skinny: Defending Class 3A state champion Bellevue and 2021 4A state runner-up Lake Stevens meet in a marquee non-league clash of state-title hopefuls in search of their first victory. These teams have combined to make 11 state playoff appearances since the start of the 2014 season, including five trips to state title games. A win for either team would be a huge resume booster come November.

Bellevue: 0-1; lost to Central Catholic (Oregon) 24-23

About the Wolverines: Bellevue went undefeated in 2021 on its way to its first state title since 2013, a championship that was later vacated due to sanctions stemming from wide-ranging rules violations within the program. The Wolverines made their championship run last season in mostly dominant fashion by winning each of their first 13 games by double digits before edging Kennewick 17-13 in the 3A title game. Bellevue had its 17-game winning streak that started in the COVID-shortened spring season of 2021 snapped last week by defending Oregon 6A state champion Central Catholic. The Rams connected on a 22-yard field goal as time expired to win 24-23. Bellevue is led by three-star senior recruit Ishaan Daniels and four-star junior Hogan Hansen. Daniels, who plays running back and cornerback, holds offers from Air Force, Arizona and Portland State among others. Hogan, a tight end and defensive end, is the state’s sixth-highest rated recruit for the class of 2024 and has offers from the likes of Florida, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford and Washington. Both hauled in touchdown receptions from quarterback Lucas Razore last week. Two-star seniors George Kruger (linebacker) and Kolani Masune (defensive line) help lead the defense.

Lake Stevens: 0-1; lost to Garfield 26-16

About the Vikings: Lake Stevens has made two of the past three 4A title games and is a favorite to make the journey back to the season’s final weekend this fall. But the Vikings are coming off an uncharacteristically sloppy performance in Week 1’s 26-16 loss to 3A playoff contender Garfield. Lake Stevens fell behind 20-3 in the first half and turned the ball over four times in the second half, which greatly hampered any hopes of a comeback for the Vikings. Four-star senior running back Jayden Limar leads Lake Stevens on offense. The University of Notre Dame-bound playmaker was held to just 58 yards on 16 carries last week. Quarterbacks Kaden LaPlaunt and Kolton Matson split time behind center for the Vikings in Week 1. LaPlaunt, a junior, completed 7 of 9 passes for 106 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Matson, a sophomore, was 10-of-15 for 86 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Their top target is two-star recruit Isaac Redford. The 6-foot, 185-pound senior had seven receptions for 96 yards and one TD in Week 1. Lake Stevens looks to avoid its first 0-2 start since the 2013 season.

Herald pick: Bellevue

GLACIER PEAK AT CAMAS

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Doc Harris Stadium (Camas)

The skinny: A pair of 4A squads square off in a potential state playoff preview. Glacier Peak earned its first 4A state berth last fall and is a favorite to make a deep postseason run this fall. Perennial power Camas has made 10 state appearances and won two state titles since 2010.

Glacier Peak: 1-0; beat Snohomish 42-13

About the Grizzlies: Glacier Peak is coming off its 11th straight victory over rival Snohomish in the Dick Armstrong Cup and has a chance to earn a signature victory that could have a huge impact when playoff seeding committees meet later this fall. The Grizzlies are loaded with firepower on offense and displayed a balanced attack in Week 1 with 14 different players registering at least one carry or reception. Two-star senior quarterback River Lien delivered an efficient first game while completing 13 of 18 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. His top targets were Oregon State-bound senior tight end Cooper Jensen and senior wide receiver Gabe Russell, who each hauled in three receptions and a TD. Senior running backs Ryan King, Roman Foster and Chrisvin Bonshe paced a three-headed rushing attack by combining for 138 yards and three TDs on 25 carries. Three-star senior athlete Trey Leckner, a Washington State commit, had 36 yards of offense on four touches. On defense, GP allowed just 28 yards through the first two-and-a-half quarters of their Week 1 win.

Camas: 0-1; lost to Yelm 44-14

About the Papermakers: Camas has been one of 4A’s premier program for years, winning two state championships since 2016, four of the past six 4A Greater St. Helens League titles and amassing a 58-game regular-season win streak during that span. But the Papermakers, who regularly play a gauntlet of a non-league schedule, are looking to avoid an 0-2 start for the second straight season. Camas recovered from an 0-4 start and made the state quarterfinals last fall. The Papermakers return eight all-league selections, including starting quarterback Taylor Ioane and top targets receiver Zach Blair and tight end Sam Stark. Ioane, a senior, completed 13 of 29 passes for 145 yards and one TD in the 44-14 loss to 3A state quarterfinalist Yelm. All-league picks Carson Osmus, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound, three-star junior recruit, and senior Holt Williams lead Camas in the trenches. This is the first of two Wesco 4A opponents for the Papermakers. Camas travels to face Kamiak on Friday, Sept. 30.

Herald pick: Glacier Peak

ARCHBISHOP MURPHY AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Lynden Christian H.S.

The skinny: Archbishop Murphy travels to take on Lynden Christian in a battle between District 1 schools hoping to make the state playoffs in their respective classifications. The Wildcats look to bounce back from a tough 3-6 2021 season. The Lyncs have made three straight state trips, including a 1A semifinal appearance last fall. This is the first meeting between the teams since at least 2003.

Archbishop Murphy: 0-0; Week 1 game vs. Lake Washington canceled

About the Wildcats: Archbishop Murphy had its Week 1 game with Lake Washington canceled due to threats of violence through social media at Archbishop Murphy, according to Wildcats athletic director Jeff Latta. So this is the Wildcats’ first and only contest before embarking on a challenging league slate in Northwest 2A. Archbishop Murphy is led on offense by dual-threat quarterback Kai Lewis. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior played just six quarters before suffering a broken leg that ended his junior season. In four varsity games between his sophomore and junior years, Lewis has completed 53.8% (42 of 78) of his passes for 608 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Senior Junior Gates ran for 144 yards and one TD last season and is the team’s top returning rusher. Two-way all-league pick Issiah Smith, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound senior lineman and three-star recruit, leads the Wildcats up front. Junior defensive back Diontaye Moorman is the team’s top returning tackler and had two interceptions last season.

Lynden Christian: 1-0; beat Seaquam Secondary (British Columbia) 60-6

About the Lyncs: Lynden Christian has made three straight 1A state playoff appearance and reached at least the semifinals in each of those trips, and the Lyncs were firing on all cylinders last week in trouncing Seaquam Secondary School (British Columbia) 60-6. LC’s defense secured a whopping five interceptions and returned three of those for scores. USC-bound senior Kade Eldridge, a three-star athlete ranked 10th overall in the state for the class of 2023, needed just five touches on offense to rack up 157 yards and two touchdowns last week, including a 96-yard TD run. Quarterbacks Jeremiah Wright and Griffin Dykstra combined to complete 7 of 11 passes for 140 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Senior wide receiver Tyler Sipma is another threat in the passing game and had 75 yards and a TD on four catches.

Herald pick: Archbishop Murphy

ARLINGTON AT MARYSVILLE GETCHELL

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Quil Ceda Stadium (Marysville Pilchuck H.S.)

The skinny: Wesco 3A North foes Arlington and Marysville Getchell meet in the league opener for both squads. This game serves as a chance for each team to gain an early advantage in the conference standings. Arlington has won six of seven matchups between these teams, including the past two.

Arlington: 1-0; beat Kamiak 28-14

About the Eagles: After graduating a strong senior class that led last fall’s state playoff run, Arlington entered this season with a new-look squad featuring first-year starters all over both sides of the ball. But this new group of Eagles picked up right where last year’s team left off, rallying from an early deficit to upset Kamiak in their season opener. Arlington’s offense appears to be more balanced after relying on a pass-heavy attack in 2021. The Eagles threw for 201 yards and ran for 164 yards against Kamiak. The defense looked strong, too. Arlington forced three turnovers and held the Knights to just 21 yards through the air.

Marysville Getchell: 0-1; lost to Cascade 41-21

About the Chargers: Marysville Getchell looks to pick up its first win of the season after struggling to contain Cascade’s Wing-T offense in Week 1. The Chargers allowed 372 yards on the ground to the Bruins last week but were also able to force four turnovers. Quarterback Carter Schmidt leads the offense and accounted for all three of MG’s scores against Cascade. The senior ran for two TDs and connected with sophomore Mariano Palacol for the other. Coen Ramsey leads the Chargers with seven tackles and Andrew Withers has one interception.

Herald pick: Arlington