Lake Stevens squares off against Eastlake on Friday night in a rematch of the Vikings’ state semifinal win over the Wolves last season. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Lake Stevens squares off against Eastlake on Friday night in a rematch of the Vikings’ state semifinal win over the Wolves last season. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

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

The Week 6 slate includes a 4A state semifinal rematch, key league matchups, a crosstown rivalry and more.

Week 6 of the Snohomish County high school football season includes a Class 4A state semifinal rematch, an intriguing non-league showdown in southwest Washington, a Wesco 3A North battle for playoff positioning, a crosstown rivalry and a pivotal league clash of 1B unbeatens.

Here’s a look at some of this week’s top matchups involving local teams:

4A No. 10 EASTLAKE at 4A No. 5 LAKE STEVENS

Lake Stevens looks to bounce back after a rare blowout loss in Oregon two weeks ago. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens looks to bounce back after a rare blowout loss in Oregon two weeks ago. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Lake Stevens H.S.

The skinny: Perennial powerhouse Lake Stevens concludes its non-league gauntlet with a top-10 showdown and 4A state semifinal rematch against Eastlake. The Vikings beat the Wolves 45-28 last year to advance to their second state championship game in three full-length seasons.

Eastlake: 4-1 overall, 2-1 KingCo 4A; beat Union 35-32, beat Mount Tahoma 61-21, lost to Skyline 21-7, beat Issaquah 54-13, beat Woodinville 27-0

About the Wolves: Eastlake has been a consistent 4A state playoff team over the past decade, with eight state appearances over the past 11 full-length seasons. The Wolves had their best season in program history last fall, winning their first KingCo 4A title in two decades and earning their first-ever trip to the state semifinals. They returned only one offensive starter from last year’s historic team, but brought back about half their starting defense. Eastlake opened its season with a dramatic three-point win over Union, stuffing the Titans at the 1-yard line on the game’s final play. The Wolves suffered a 14-point loss to KingCo 4A-leading Skyline in Week 3, but bounced back with a pair of conference wins, including a shutout of Woodinville last week. Eastlake’s offense is led by junior receiver Grady Woodward, a University of Washington baseball commit who has seven touchdown catches and a kickoff return score. Dual-threat senior quarterback Cole Hunt has thrown for 11 TDs and rushed for three more. Blake Borup, a senior running back, has nine total TDs.

Lake Stevens: 3-2 overall, 1-0 Wesco 4A; lost to Garfield 26-16, beat Bellevue 37-28, beat Federal Way 63-21, lost to West Linn (Ore.) 45-6, beat Jackson via forfeit

About the Vikings: It’s been an up-and-down start for reigning 4A state runner-up Lake Stevens. The Vikings opened their arduous non-league slate with a mistake-filled loss to 3A fourth-ranked Garfield, committing four second-half turnovers in the defeat. They bounced right back with an impressive win over defending 3A state champion Bellevue, followed by a rout of Federal Way. But then they suffered their largest loss in a decade, getting blown out by Oregon 6A juggernaut West Linn. After a forfeit win over Jackson last week, Lake Stevens returns to the field and looks to get back on track. The Vikings are led by Notre Dame-bound senior running back Jayden Limar, who averages 7.4 yards per carry and has racked up 599 total yards and seven TDs in three-plus games. Limar, a four-star recruit, exited the West Linn game with a first-half injury and didn’t return. If Limar is out, the lead running back duties likely go to younger brother and sophomore Pac-12 recruit Jayshon Limar. Sophomore Kolton Matson and junior Kaden LaPlaunt have split time at quarterback, combining to throw for 550 yards, five TDs and six interceptions.

Herald pick: Lake Stevens

ARLINGTON at MARYSVILLE PILCHUCK

Gaylan Gray and Marysville Pilchuck face Arlington in a Wesco 3A North clash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Gaylan Gray and Marysville Pilchuck face Arlington in a Wesco 3A North clash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

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

The skinny: This matchup likely will determine third place in the Wesco 3A North, behind league title contenders Stanwood and Ferndale. Arlington pulled off a 28-14 upset in last year’s meeting, which ultimately led to a three-way shared league title between these two teams and Ferndale.

Arlington: 3-2 overall, 2-2 Wesco 3A North; beat Kamiak 28-14, beat Marysville Getchell 21-14, beat Mount Vernon 21-6, lost to Ferndale 27-24, lost to Stanwood 37-6

About the Eagles: After graduating nearly its entire starting lineup on both sides of the ball from last year’s 3A state playoff team, Arlington rode its defense to a 3-0 start this fall. The Eagles had a chance to knock off Ferndale in Week 4, but surrendered a 12-point fourth-quarter lead in a narrow loss. Arlington then suffered a blowout defeat to 3A ninth-ranked Stanwood last week, which snapped its 12-game win streak in the Stilly Cup rivalry. Sophomore Leyton Martin took over as the Eagles’ quarterback for the past two-plus games, while junior Week 1 starter Jacoby Falor moved to receiver. Martin has completed 61% of his passes for 678 yards, four TDs and four interceptions, while rushing for 130 yards and one score. Falor has done a bit of everything, totaling 383 yards passing, 260 yards receiving, 215 yards rushing, seven TD passes and two TD catches. Arlington averages 20 points per game and allows 19.6.

Marysville Pilchuck: 3-2 overall, 2-2 Wesco 3A North; beat Edmonds-Woodway 20-16, lost to Stanwood 30-16, beat Marysville Getchell 37-14, beat Oak Harbor 21-19, lost to Ferndale 35-21

About the Tomahawks: Similar to Arlington, Marysville Pilchuck graduated nearly its entire starting lineup from last year’s 3A state semifinal team. The Tomahawks also underwent a coaching change this past offseason, with Dalton Schwetz taking over for longtime coach Brandon Carson. Marysville Pilchuck continued its dominance of crosstown rival Marysville Getchell with a Week 3 blowout win and earned a pair of narrow victories over Edmonds-Woodway and Oak Harbor. The Tomahawks’ losses have come to league favorites Stanwood and Ferndale. Marysville Pilchuck’s new power spread offense is led by sophomore running back Joseph Davis, who averaged 9.6 yards per carry while rushing for 655 yards and six TDs in the first four games. Davis, however, didn’t play last week against Ferndale. The Tomahawks turned to the air last week and threw more often than they had in years, with junior quarterback Luke Shoemaker finishing 13-of-23 passing for 225 yards, one TD and one interception. Gaylan Gray, a senior, provides the bulk of the team’s receiving with 217 yards and three TD catches. Marysville Pilchuck averages 23 points per game and allows 22.8.

Herald pick: Arlington

3A No. 9 STANWOOD at UNION

Ryder Bumgarner and unbeaten Stanwood travel south for a big non-league test. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Ryder Bumgarner and unbeaten Stanwood travel south for a big non-league test. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: McKenzie Stadium (Vancouver)

The skinny: After rolling past its first five opponents, unbeaten Stanwood travels to southwest Washington for a midseason non-league clash against perennial 4A state contender Union.

Stanwood: 5-0 overall, 4-0 Wesco 3A North; beat Lakewood 42-0, beat Marysville Pilchuck 30-16, beat Oak Harbor 38-14, beat Mount Vernon 35-3, beat Arlington 37-6

About the Spartans: Stanwood experienced a massive breakthrough last fall under new coach Jeff Scoma, who guided the program to its first winning season in 15 years and its first state playoff appearance in 25 years. The senior-laden Spartans have continued their rapid ascension this season, rolling to a 5-0 start while outscoring opponents by 28.6 points per game. Stanwood is coming off a milestone Stilly Cup rout of Arlington last week, which marked its first victory in the annual rivalry series since 2009. The Spartans average 36.4 points and 385 rushing yards per game in their high-powered Wing-T ground attack, while rattling off a whopping 10.4 yards per carry. Hard-running star senior Ryder Bumgarner leads the way with 1,100 yards rushing and 11 TDs, at an eye-popping average of 12 yards per attempt. Senior back Carson Beckt has added 319 yards rushing and nine total TDs, while fellow senior Otto Wiedmann is coming off an 80-yard rushing performance. Stanwood’s defense has been just as good, allowing just 7.8 points and 205 yards per game.

Union: 2-3 overall; lost to Eastlake 35-32, lost to Yelm 46-6, lost to Mountain View 62-35, beat Prairie 40-20, beat Coeur d’Alene (Idaho) 40-20

About the Titans: Union has made seven 4A state playoff appearances in the past 10 full-length seasons, highlighted by a state title in 2018. But the Titans missed the postseason altogether last year, despite a 6-3 record. They got off to a rough start this season, beginning with a last-second loss to 4A 10th-ranked Eastlake after being stopped at the 1-yard line on the final play. Union then fell to 0-3 after blowout losses to 3A top-ranked Yelm and Mountain View. But since then, the Titans have responded with back-to-back wins. Senior quarterback Tyson Fuehrer has completed 66% of his passes for 1,075 yards, eight TDs and four interceptions, while adding 183 yards and five TDs on the ground. His top target is senior AJ Attaran, who has 468 yards receiving and four TD catches.

Herald pick: Stanwood

CASCADE vs. EVERETT

Julian Thomas and unbeaten Cascade face crosstown rival Everett in the Battle of Broadway. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Julian Thomas and unbeaten Cascade face crosstown rival Everett in the Battle of Broadway. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Everett Memorial Stadium

Radio: KRKO 1380 AM

The skinny: This year’s Battle of Broadway features a pair of crosstown rivals that are in the second seasons of two-year independent scheduling cycles. Everett rallied for a 16-13 win in last year’s matchup, thanks to a late fumble recovery and go-ahead field goal in the final seconds. The victory snapped Cascade’s four-game win streak in the rivalry.

Cascade: 5-0 overall; beat Marysville Getchell 41-21, beat Newport-Bellevue 42-35 (2OT), beat Inglemoor 33-14, beat Jackson 55-21, beat Oak Harbor 39-14

About the Bruins: Cascade is off to its first 5-0 start in at least two decades and has already matched its most wins in a season since 2013. The independent Bruins have outscored opponents by 21 points per game and have won four of their five contests by at least 19 points, with the lone exception being a double-overtime victory over Newport-Bellevue. Cascade is averaging 42 points and 366 yards rushing per game in its Wing-T ground attack, while churning out 7.5 yards per carry. Senior back Julian Thomas leads the way with 877 yards rushing and 17 TD runs. Junior Zach Lopez has added 496 yards and five TDs, while senior Charlie Nelson has 330 yards and four TDs. If the Bruins beat Everett, Meadowdale and Cedarcrest in their next three games to improve to 8-0, they qualify for a play-in game against the Wesco 3A South’s No. 5 seed, with the winner advancing to Wesco 3A’s Week 9 crossover round.

Everett: 1-4 overall; lost to Issaquah 34-20, lost to Mariner 19-7, beat Jackson 31-7, lost to Redmond 37-0, lost to Inglemoor 21-14

About the Seagulls: Everett has struggled to a 1-4 start in its independent slate, with its lone victory coming against winless Jackson. The Seagulls have played all 4A teams so far, but the rest of their schedule consists of 3A and 2A squads. Senior running back Josh Smith has rushed for 429 yards and one TD, while junior Michael Noland has added 309 yards and four TDs on the ground. Ian Hendry, a junior, has a team-high 301 yards receiving and five TD catches. Everett averages just 14.4 points per game and allows 23.6.

Herald pick: Cascade

1B No. 2 NEAH BAY at DARRINGTON

When: Friday, 5 p.m.

Where: Darrington H.S.

The skinny: Upstart Darrington squares off against perennial state power Neah Bay in a Northwest 1B League showdown of unbeatens.

Neah Bay: 4-0 overall; beat Port Angeles JV 74-7, beat Naselle 58-20, beat Lummi Nation 70-6, beat Crescent 68-0

About the Red Devils: Neah Bay is a perennial force at the 1B level, having won state titles in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2016. The Red Devils are off to a dominant 4-0 start, averaging a whopping 67.5 points per game and allowing just 8.3. Sophomore running back Jodell Wimberly has rushed for 685 yards and 10 TDs, while senior quarterback Julian Carrick has added 421 yards and nine TDs on the ground. Sophomore tight end Adan Ellis has seven catches for 223 yards and four TDs. Neah Bay’s defense has 10 interceptions and six forced fumbles.

Darrington: 5-0 overall; beat Evergreen Lutheran 70-8, beat Muckleshoot Tribal 70-34, beat Concrete 66-42, beat Tulalip Heritage 44-30, beat Lummi Nation 46-36

About the Loggers: Darrington is off to an impressive 5-0 start and already has its most wins in a season since 2013, the last time it reached the state playoffs. The Loggers are in their fifth season since moving from the 2B 11-man level to the 1B eight-man level due to low participation numbers. Darrington averages 59.2 points per game and has scored at least 44 points in every contest. Last week, the Loggers rallied from a 14-point third-quarter deficit to beat perennially strong Lummi Nation.

Herald pick: Neah Bay

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