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

This week’s Snohomish County high school football slate is highlighted by a Class 4A top-10 showdown for the Wesco 4A title between Lake Stevens and Glacier Peak.

There also are four Wesco 3A crossover games — three of which are loser-out contests. And Granite Falls is playing for its first state berth in more than three decades.

Here’s a preview of the Week 9 action:

4A No. 2 LAKE STEVENS vs. 4A No. 8 GLACIER PEAK

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium

Webcast: STSPN.com

The skinny: This regular-season finale between 4A top-10 teams will determine the Wesco 4A title. Lake Stevens has won seven consecutive Wesco 4A crowns and 49 consecutive games against Wesco 4A opponents, including all five matchups against Glacier Peak since the Grizzlies moved up to 4A in 2016. In their most recent meeting this past spring, the Vikings rattled off 28 consecutive fourth-quarter points to pull away for a 63-35 victory in a season-finale showdown of unbeatens.

Lake Stevens: 6-0, 3-0 Wesco 4A; beat O’Dea 20-3, beat Archbishop Murphy 49-14, beat Snohomish 40-6, beat Mariner 56-7, beat Jackson 91-6, beat Kamiak 35-28

About the Vikings: After beating 3A fourth-ranked O’Dea in its delayed season opener and cruising past each of its next four opponents, Lake Stevens faced a rare conference test last week against Kamiak. The Vikings survived a major upset bid by the upstart Knights, prevailing for a seven-point win after star running back Jayden Limar rushed for a tiebreaking score with less than 4 minutes to play. It was just the fourth single-digit league victory for Lake Stevens over the course of its 49-game Wesco 4A win streak. 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 8.6 yards per carry and has 975 yards from scrimmage and 12 offensive touchdowns. Two-way standout senior Drew Carter, an Eastern Washington commit, has 657 yards receiving and 11 TD catches, including three scoring receptions last week. Versatile senior receiver Trayce Hanks has 563 yards from scrimmage and seven offensive TDs, as well as three interceptions on defense and three TD returns on special teams. Senior quarterback Grayson Murren has completed 73.1% of his passes for 1,291 yards, 18 TDs and three interceptions while spreading the ball to his team’s talented playmakers.

Glacier Peak: 6-1, 2-0 Wesco 4A; beat Snohomish 35-19, beat Monroe 50-21, beat Woodinville 49-7, lost to Marysville Pilchuck 49-14, beat Mariner 49-20, beat North Creek 27-19, beat Jackson 63-0

About the Grizzlies: Glacier Peak experienced a particularly up-and-down two-week stretch earlier this season. In Week 3, the Grizzlies steamrolled perennial 4A state power Woodinville for a signature victory and the program’s first-ever win over a KingCo 4A opponent. But Glacier Peak suffered a massive letdown the following week, when it got blown out in a stunning running-clock loss to 3A sixth-ranked Marysville Pilchuck. The Grizzlies have rebounded from that lone loss with three straight wins, including an eight-point victory over another quality KingCo 4A program in North Creek. Trey Leckner, a junior transfer from Snohomish who moved from receiver to running back this season, leads Glacier Peak in both rushing and receiving yardage. Leckner has run for 655 yards and 11 TDs at an average of 6.2 yards per carry, while adding 338 yards receiving and five TD catches. Junior quarterback River Lien has completed 64.5% of his passes for 1,291 yards, 16 TDs and three interceptions. Glacier Peak’s league matchup against upstart Kamiak in Week 6 was canceled because of COVID-19 protocols within the Knights’ program.

Herald pick: Lake Stevens

MONROE at 3A No. 9 FERNDALE

When: 2 p.m., Saturday

Where: Ferndale H.S.

The skinny: This non-elimination Week 9 crossover game pits the top seeds from the Wesco 3A North and Wesco 3A South against each other. Both teams finished in a three-way tie for first place in their respective leagues, and they each received their top seed by virtue of a numerical draw. This is a rematch from Week 1, when Ferndale built a 32-point second-half lead in a rout of Monroe. Both teams advance to the Week 10 winner-to-state round.

Monroe: 5-3, 4-1 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, beat Snohomish 42-40 (OT)

About the Bearcats: Monroe rallied from a 19-0 first-half deficit last week to claim a share of the Wesco 3A South title with a wild overtime win over Snohomish. Sophomore quarterback Blake Springer threw a game-tying TD pass to senior Wahi Emmsley in the final minute of regulation, and then connected with senior Cole Pruett for a go-ahead TD pass and a 2-point conversion pass in overtime. Then after allowing a TD on Snohomish’s overtime possession, Monroe stuffed the Panthers on their ensuing 2-point attempt to seal the victory. Pruett is a game-changer in all three phases for the Bearcats, having totaled 704 yards receiving and eight TD catches on offense, six interceptions on defense and five TD returns on special teams. Pruett had two interceptions last week, including a 78-yard pick-six on the final play of the first half that sparked Monroe’s comeback. Springer, who splits quarterback duties with senior Evan Leggett, has completed 62.7% of passes for 1,368 yards, 15 TDs and seven interceptions. Junior running back Kody Edelbrock has totaled 681 yards from scrimmage and nine TDs in six games, while averaging 7.5 yards per carry.

Ferndale: 7-1, 5-1 Wesco 3A North; beat Monroe 55-35, beat Lynden 35-25, beat Arlington 18-17, beat Mount Vernon 42-7, lost to Marysville Pilchuck 49-15, beat Oak Harbor 51-14, beat Stanwood 48-30, beat Marysville Getchell 46-7

About the Golden Eagles: Ferndale ultimately earned a share of the Wesco 3A North title thanks to its dramatic one-point victory over 3A eighth-ranked Arlington in Week 3, when senior quarterback Mark Schlichting threw a 35-yard TD pass in the final minute and standout running back Isaiah Carlson followed with a go-ahead 2-point conversion run to complete the rally. The Golden Eagles’ lone loss was a running-clock defeat to 3A sixth-ranked Marysville Pilchuck in Week 5. Carlson, a two-way standout who has four Pac-12 offers and is ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 13 junior linebacker, has averaged 7.4 yards per carry while running for 722 yards and nine TDs in Ferndale’s Wing-T attack. Ryan Pelton, a senior, has added 741 yards from scrimmage and 15 TDs. Paving the way for them is an offensive line led by 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior center Landen Hatchett, a two-way standout who already has offers from Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and others. Schlichting doesn’t throw much in Ferndale’s run-heavy offense, but completed 6 of 8 passes for 218 yards and three TDs in the season-opening rout of Monroe.

Herald pick: Ferndale

SHORECREST at 3A No. 6 MARYSVILLE PILCHUCK

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Quil Ceda Stadium

The skinny: This loser-out Week 9 crossover game pits Wesco 3A North No. 3 seed Marysville Pilchuck against Wesco 3A South No. 5 seed Shorecrest. Marysville Pilchuck finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Wesco 3A North, but received the league’s No. 3 seed by virtue of a numerical draw. This is a rematch of the Tomahawks’ season-opening rout of Shorecrest. The winner advances to the Week 10 winner-to-state round.

Marysville Pilchuck: 7-1, 5-1 Wesco 3A North; beat Shorecrest 52-7, beat Stanwood 49-14, beat Marysville Getchell 63-13, beat Glacier Peak 49-14, beat Ferndale 49-15, beat Mount Vernon 49-13, lost to Arlington 28-14, beat Oak Harbor 49-8

About the Tomahawks: Marysville Pilchuck has rolled to running-clock routs in seven of its eight games, including blowouts of 4A eighth-ranked Glacier Peak and 3A ninth-ranked Ferndale. The Tomahawks’ lone loss was to 3A eighth-ranked Arlington two weeks ago, which cost them a chance at their second consecutive Wesco 3A title. Marysville Pilchuck averages 359 rushing yards per game in its deceptive Slot-T ground attack, led by a big offensive line and talented senior backs Dylan Carson and Jordan Velasquez. Carson has rushed for 1,496 yards and 29 TDs, while averaging 12.3 yards per carry. Velasquez has run for 733 yards and 12 TDs, while averaging 15.6 yards per carry.

Shorecrest: 2-6, 1-4 Wesco 3A South; lost to Marysville Pilchuck 52-7, beat Mountlake Terrace 41-0, lost to Anacortes 49-34, lost to Snohomish 49-28, lost to Lynnwood 20-18, lost to Edmonds-Woodway 48-7, lost to Monroe 62-0, beat Shorewood 41-21

About the Scots: It’s been a rough season for Shorecrest, whose only two victories are against a one-win Mountlake Terrace team and a winless Shorewood squad. Senior quarterback Carson Christensen has thrown for 1,462 yards, 10 TDs and seven interceptions, while adding 453 yards rushing and eight TD runs. His top target is senior Connor Dow, who has 802 yards receiving and nine TD catches.

Herald pick: Marysville Pilchuck

OAK HARBOR at SNOHOMISH

When: 5 p.m., Saturday

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium

The skinny: This loser-out Week 9 crossover game pits Wesco 3A South No. 3 seed Snohomish against Wesco 3A North No. 5 seed Oak Harbor. Snohomish finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Wesco 3A South, but received the league’s No. 3 seed by virtue of a numerical draw. The winner advances to the Week 10 winner-to-state round.

Oak Harbor: 3-5, 2-4 Wesco 3A North; beat Cedarcrest 28-12, lost to Arlington 54-0, lost to Stanwood 34-14, beat Marysville Getchell 35-28, lost to Cascade 42-27, lost to Ferndale 51-14, beat Mount Vernon 27-7, lost to Marysville Pilchuck 49-8

About the Wildcats: Oak Harbor averages just 19.1 points per game and has reached the 30-point mark only once this season. Senior quarterback Kaito White has completed 59.4% of his passes for 1,424 yards, 16 TDs and five interceptions. His top target is senior Will Rankin, who has 670 yards receiving and five TD catches.

Snohomish: 4-3, 4-1 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, lost to Monroe 42-40 (OT)

About the Panthers: Snohomish blew a 19-0 first-half lead in an overtime loss to Monroe last week, which kept the Panthers from claiming their third consecutive Wesco 3A South title. Snohomish’s other two losses were to 4A top-10 teams Lake Stevens and Glacier Peak. Senior running back Joshua Vandergriend has rushed for 1,053 yards and 13 TDs at an average of 6.7 yards per carry, while adding 327 yards receiving and three TD catches.

Herald pick: Snohomish

LYNNWOOD at STANWOOD

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Stanwood H.S.

The skinny: This loser-out Week 9 crossover game pits the No. 4 seeds from the Wesco 3A North and Wesco 3A South against each other. The winner advances to the Week 10 winner-to-state round.

Lynnwood: 4-3, 3-2 Wesco 3A South; lost to Mariner 41-14, lost to Monroe 46-0, lost to Edmonds-Woodway 48-7, beat Shorecrest 20-18, beat Everett 28-0, beat Mountlake Terrace 21-7, beat Meadowdale 48-6

About the Royals: After opening the season with three consecutive blowout losses, Lynnwood has rattled off four straight wins. The Royals began their win streak with a two-point victory over Shorecrest and have allowed just 31 points combined over their past four games. Lynnwood is seeking its first Week 10 playoff berth since 2016.

Stanwood: 4-4, 3-3 Wesco 3A North; lost to Kamiak 50-21, lost to Marysville Pilchuck 49-14, beat Oak Harbor 34-14, lost to Arlington 27-6, beat Marysville Getchell 49-0, beat Cascade 35-13, lost to Ferndale 48-30, beat Mount Vernon 40-7

About the Spartans: Stanwood established itself as the clear fourth-best team in the Wesco 3A North, behind the first-place trio of Arlington, Ferndale and Marysville Pilchuck. The Spartans lost to each of the league co-champions, but rolled past the other three teams in the league. Stanwood is led by junior Ryder Bumgarner, who averages 8.0 yards per carry and has totaled 1,241 yards from scrimmage and 15 TDs. Bumgarner also has four interceptions on defense.

Herald pick: Stanwood

GRANITE FALLS at SOUTH WHIDBEY

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: South Whidbey H.S.

The skinny: The winner of this high-stakes regular-season finale will end a decades-long state playoff drought by finishing second in the Emerald Sound Conference, and thus earning the second and final state berth from the five-team league. Granite Falls’ lone state appearance was in 1990. South Whidbey hasn’t reached state since 1992.

Granite Falls: 5-2, 2-1 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, lost to King’s 42-0

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 270 yards per game and 6.6 yards per carry. Senior running back Keldyn Smith has rushed for 565 yards and six TDs, while averaging 7.8 yards per attempt. Senior quarterback Riley Hoople has run for 390 yards, thrown for 393 yards and accounted for 12 total TDs.

South Whidbey: 5-3, 2-1 Emerald Sound Conference; beat Friday Harbor 26-13, beat Coupeville 33-7, lost to Bellingham 28-6, lost to East Jefferson 9-7, beat Cedar Park Christian 42-0, beat Friday Harbor 34-14, lost to King’s 49-0, beat Sultan 34-14

About the Falcons: After a rough stretch in the mid-2010s, South Whidbey has reached the five-win mark for the fourth consecutive full-length season. The Falcons allow just 16.8 points per game and have held six of their eight opponents to 14 points or fewer.

Herald pick: Granite Falls

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE CHANGES

— Wesco 3A South No. 2 seed Edmonds-Woodway canceled its Week 9 crossover game against Wesco 3A North No. 2 seed Arlington. It’s the second consecutive cancellation for the Warriors, who also had to cancel their regular-season finale against Mountlake Terrace last week. The game will be considered a no-contest and both teams will both advance to the Week 10 winner-to-state round.

— Lakewood is facing 1A sixth-ranked King’s in a non-league game. Both teams had their original matchups canceled. Lakewood was originally scheduled to face Archbishop Murphy, while King’s was slated to face Everett.

— The non-league matchup between Meadowdale and Shorewood was canceled.