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

With the high school football postseason just around the corner, the battles for league titles and playoff berths are in full swing. Here’s a look at some of the top Week 8 matchups involving Snohomish County teams, including a Wesco 4A clash of unbeatens and a pivotal Wesco 3A South showdown:

KAMIAK at 4A No. 2 LAKE STEVENS

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Lake Stevens H.S.

The skinny: This Wesco 4A clash of unbeatens pits seven-time defending conference champion Lake Stevens against a Kamiak program that’s in the midst of a major turnaround. The teams are tied for the longest active win streak in Snohomish County, with both at 10 straight victories dating back to this past spring’s abbreviated season. The Vikings look to extend their 48-game Wesco 4A win streak and continue their league dominance, while the Knights have a chance to make a statement and show how far their program has come.

Kamiak: 6-0, 2-0 Wesco 4A; beat Stanwood 50-21, beat Shorewood 48-6, beat Everett 47-20, beat Cascade 56-15, beat Jackson 40-6, beat Mariner 41-14

About the Knights: After suffering three consecutive one-win seasons from 2017 through 2019, Kamiak has experienced a massive turnaround under fourth-year coach Bryant Thomas. The Knights went 4-0 this past spring and are off to a 6-0 start this fall, including a victory over Mariner on Tuesday that clinched the program’s first Week 10 playoff berth since 2014. Kamiak has played a relatively light schedule, but has outscored opponents by 33.3 points per game and won every contest by at least 27 points. The Knights’ new fly-sweep attack averages 47 points per game, led by versatile playmaker Wesley Garrett. The senior receiver has 1,280 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns — with 682 yards and six TDs on the ground, as well as 598 yards receiving and 10 TD catches. Junior quarterback Ben’tre Worthy has completed 80% of his passes for 949 yards, 13 TDs and two interceptions, while also running for 134 yards and five scores. This will be Kamiak’s second game in four days, due to COVID-19 protocols that led to the cancellation of the Knights’ Week 6 matchup against Glacier Peak and the postponement of their Week 7 game against Mariner from last Friday to this past Tuesday.

Lake Stevens: 5-0, 2-0 Wesco 4A; beat O’Dea 20-3, beat Archbishop Murphy 49-14, beat Snohomish 40-6, beat Mariner 56-7, beat Jackson 91-6

About the Vikings: After a COVID-related program shutdown wiped out its first two games, Lake Stevens beat 3A fourth-ranked O’Dea in its delayed season opener and cruised past each of its other four opponents. That included an especially dominant performance last week, when the Vikings raced to a 77-0 halftime lead and a 91-0 fourth-quarter advantage in a rout of Jackson. Senior quarterback Grayson Murren has completed 74% of his passes for 1,159 yards, 15 TDs and three interceptions while spreading the ball to his team’s talented playmakers. Jayden Limar, who holds a slew of big-time college offers and is ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 7 junior running back, averages 9.2 yards per carry and has 820 yards from scrimmage and 11 TDs. Two-way standout senior Drew Carter, an Eastern Washington commit, has 567 yards receiving and eight TD catches. And versatile senior receiver Trayce Hanks has 528 yards from scrimmage and seven offensive TDs, as well as three interceptions on defense and two punt-return scores. Lake Stevens’ defense allows just 7.2 points per game and has held all but one opponent to single digits.

Herald pick: Lake Stevens

SNOHOMISH at MONROE

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Monroe H.S.

The skinny: This regular-season finale has massive Wesco 3A South title and postseason seeding implications. If Snohomish wins, the Panthers would claim their third consecutive Wesco 3A South crown and Monroe would finish as the league’s No. 3 seed. If Monroe wins, there would likely be a three-way tie for first place in the Wesco 3A South between Monroe, Snohomish and Edmonds-Woodway — assuming Edmonds-Woodway beats Mountlake Terrace in its finale. In the case of a three-way tie, Wesco’s preseason numerical draw would give Monroe the No. 1 seed, Edmonds-Woodway the No. 2 seed and Snohomish the No. 3 seed. In their matchup this past spring, Monroe rolled to a 42-22 win over Snohomish.

Snohomish: 4-2, 4-0 Wesco 3A South; lost to Glacier Peak 35-19, beat Edmonds-Woodway 21-14, beat Shorecrest 49-28, lost to Lake Stevens 40-6, beat Mountlake Terrace 41-0, beat Meadowdale 30-7

About the Panthers: Snohomish is 15-1 in Wesco 3A South play over the past three full-length seasons, including a perfect 4-0 mark this fall. The Panthers’ two losses this season were to 4A second-ranked Lake Stevens and 4A ninth-ranked Glacier Peak. Senior running back Joshua Vandergriend, who leads the team in both rushing and receiving, has 1,121 yards from scrimmage and 14 TDs. Vandergriend has run for 802 yards and 11 TDs, including 316 yards and five scores in a win over Shorecrest. Junior quarterback Kale Hammer, a Gonzaga baseball commit, has completed 60% of his passes for 930 yards, eight TDs and four interceptions.

Monroe: 4-3, 3-1 Wesco 3A South; lost to Ferndale 55-35, lost to Glacier Peak 50-21, beat Lynnwood 46-0, beat Mariner 48-7, lost to Edmonds-Woodway 33-28, beat Meadowdale 42-0, beat Shorecrest 62-0

About the Bearcats: Monroe’s lone Wesco 3A South blemish was a five-point loss to Edmonds-Woodway. In their other three league games, the Bearcats outscored Lynnwood, Meadowdale and Shorecrest by a combined 150-0 margin. Speedy senior Cole Pruett has 663 yards receiving and seven TD catches, including 190 yards and two TDs in the loss to Edmonds-Woodway. Junior running back Kody Edelbrock has rushed for 442 yards and seven TDs in five games, while averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Monroe’s quarterback duties are split between sophomore Blake Springer and senior Evan Leggett. Springer has completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,107 yards, 12 TDs and five interceptions. Leggett has completed 65.3% of his passes for 616 yards, six TDs and four interceptions, while also running for 141 yards and two scores.

Herald pick: Monroe

ARCHBISHOP MURPHY at 2A No. 3 LYNDEN

When: 4:30 p.m., Friday

Where: Lynden H.S.

The skinny: Archbishop Murphy faces an uphill battle in the crowded race for the ultra-tough Northwest Conference 2A’s two state playoff berths. And to keep their hopes alive, the Wildcats need to pull off the upset in this game. Lynden is 5-3 in the all-time series between these perennial 2A state powers, including 3-1 in their state playoff matchups. Since they became league rivals in 2018, the Lions have won the past two meetings by three points apiece.

Archbishop Murphy: 3-4, 1-2 Northwest Conference 2A; lost to Seattle Prep 42-18, beat Fife 27-17, beat Sehome 20-10, lost to Lake Stevens 49-14, beat Blaine 46-22, lost to Squalicum 26-6, lost to Burlington-Edison 29-22

About the Wildcats: Archbishop Murphy’s state playoff hopes took a massive hit the past two weeks with back-to-back conference losses to 2A sixth-ranked Squalicum and 2A eighth-ranked Burlington-Edison. The Wildcats are led by senior Jelani Guerrero, who has 31 catches for 780 yards and eight TDs after moving from running back to receiver this season. Guerrero averages 25.2 yards per catch and has long TD receptions of 87, 83, 75, 69 and 66 yards. Senior quarterback Colton Johnson has thrown for 1,043 yards, 10 TDs and four interceptions since replacing injured starter Kai Lewis in Week 2.

Lynden: 6-1, 4-0 Northwest Conference 2A; beat Hockinson 24-21, lost to Ferndale 35-25, beat Squalicum 15-12, beat Burlington-Edison 38-35, beat Cedarcrest 51-21, beat Lakewood 42-19, beat Sehome 23-7

About the Lions: Lynden has thrived in close games, with a trio of three-point wins over Hockinson, 2A sixth-ranked Squalicum and 2A eighth-ranked Burlington-Edison. The Lions’ only loss was to 3A ninth-ranked Ferndale. Dual-threat junior quarterback Kaedan Hermanutz has completed 59.6% of his passes for 796 yards, 14 TDs and six interceptions, while also running for 247 yards and two scores. Junior running back Lane Heeringa leads the rushing attack with 586 yards and five TDs. Senior wideout Kaleo Jandoc has 375 yards receiving and seven TD catches, while junior Isaiah Stanley has six TD catches.

Herald pick: Lynden

1A No. 7 KING’S at GRANITE FALLS

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Granite Falls H.S.

The skinny: This is a first-place showdown between the final two unbeaten teams in Emerald Sound Conference play. If King’s wins, the Knights would clinch the conference title and one of the league’s two 1A state playoff berths. If Granite Falls wins, the Tigers would move to the brink of both their first league title since 1990 and their first state berth since that same year — although Granite Falls would still need either a win over South Whidbey next week or a South Whidbey loss to Sultan on Friday. King’s and Granite Falls have split their past four matchups, with the Knights winning the most recent one 42-14 this past spring.

King’s: 6-0, 2-0 Emerald Sound Conference; beat Cascade-Leavenworth 49-12, beat Klahowya 63-0, beat Nooksack Valley 44-20, beat Cascade Christian 48-13, beat Sultan 55-14, beat South Whidbey 49-0

About the Knights: King’s has outscored opponents by 40.5 points per game and won every contest by at least 24 points. Senior quarterback Hayden Teeter has completed 76.6% of his passes for 689 yards, 10 TDs and no interceptions. His favorite target is senior Lucas Prendergast, who has 506 yards receiving and six TD catches. Junior running back Royce Coleman averages 13.5 yards per carry and has 713 yards from scrimmage and 14 offensive TDs. The Knights hold opponents to just 9.8 points per game.

Granite Falls: 5-1, 2-0 Emerald Sound Conference; beat East Jefferson 20-19, beat Friday Harbor 38-15, lost to Cashmere 48-12, beat Sultan 48-0, beat Cedar Park Christian 43-10, beat Vashon Island 46-7

About the Tigers: Granite Falls has already matched its most wins in a season since 2008. The Tigers are led by their rushing attack, which averages 293 yards per game and 7.1 yards per carry. Senior running back Keldyn Smith has rushed for 478 yards and six TDs. Senior quarterback Riley Hoople has run for 373 yards, thrown for 361 yards and accounted for 12 total TDs. Senior running back Gio Gonzalez has added 331 yards rushing and five TDs, as well as three interceptions on defense.

Herald pick: King’s

CASCADE vs. EVERETT

When: 6 p.m., Friday

Where: Everett Memorial Stadium

The skinny: This year’s edition of the annual Battle of Broadway rivalry game features two programs that opted to play independent schedules this season in an effort to create more competitively balanced matchups. Cascade has won each of the past four meetings between these city rivals, including a 46-20 victory this past spring.

Cascade: 4-3; beat Jackson 50-30, lost to Mariner 28-21, beat Mountlake Terrace 36-14, lost to Kamiak 56-15; beat Oak Harbor 42-27; lost to Stanwood 35-13, beat Shorewood 55-14

About the Bruins: Cascade is led by junior running back Julian Thomas, who is the second-leading rusher in Snohomish County. Thomas has run for 1,264 yards and 14 TDs, while averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Last week, Thomas rushed for 307 yards and two scores in a rout of Shorewood.

Everett: 5-2; beat Bellingham 59-7, beat Jackson 34-10, lost to Kamiak 47-20, beat Cedarcrest 40-17, beat Shorewood 28-27, lost to Lynnwood 28-0, beat Meridian 34-22

About the Seagulls: Everett is led by senior running back JuJu Williams, who has totaled 1,221 yards from scrimmage and 15 TDs. Williams has rushed for 907 yards and 12 TDs, while adding 314 yards receiving and three TD catches.

Herald pick: Cascade