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

After kicking off their seasons last week, Snohomish County high school football teams are back in action Friday night. This week’s slate is a bit slimmer than usual, due to cancellations from several teams. But nevertheless, here’s a look at some of the top Week 2 matchups involving local squads:

4A No. 8 GLACIER PEAK at MONROE

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Monroe H.S.

The skinny: The former Wesco 4A rivals square off in what’s now a non-league clash, with Monroe having moved to the Wesco 3A South after dropping down a classification following the 2019 season. Monroe won three of the teams’ four matchups as Wesco 4A foes, but Glacier Peak steamrolled to a 63-21 win this past spring.

Glacier Peak: 1-0; beat Snohomish 35-19 last week

About the Grizzlies: Glacier Peak improved to 10-0 all-time against crosstown rival Snohomish last week, but will look to clean up its play after what coach Shane Keck described as an “ugly” season-opening performance. The Grizzlies were outgained 391-333 in total yardage and kicked themselves in the foot throughout the night. They had nine penalties, six sacks allowed, and six possessions in which they failed to score after taking a first-down snap inside the opposing 35-yard line. One bright spot was junior Trey Leckner, a transfer from Snohomish who was the Panthers’ leading receiver this past spring. Leckner, playing running back for Glacier Peak, rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Junior quarterback River Lien also had a promising starting debut, completing 18 of 27 passes for 245 yards, one TD and one interception.

Monroe: 0-1; lost to Ferndale 55-35 last week

About the Bearcats: Monroe opened its season with a blowout loss to Wesco 3A North co-favorite Ferndale, which moved up to No. 10 in this week’s Class 3A state poll. The Bearcats couldn’t slow down the Golden Eagles’ high-powered Wing-T attack, surrendering 55 points through the first three quarters and 565 total yards for the game. But there were some positives on offense for Monroe. Sophomore quarterback Blake Springer completed 11 of 17 passes for 183 yards, two TDs and no interceptions in his starting debut. Junior running back Kody Edelbrock totaled 139 yards from scrimmage, including 88 yards rushing and a score on 13 carries. And senior receiver Cole Pruett added five catches for 95 yards and a TD, along with a kickoff return score.

Herald pick: Glacier Peak

OAK HARBOR at ARLINGTON

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Arlington H.S.

The skinny: After an impressive season-opening win over Edmonds-Woodway, Arlington opens Wesco 3A North play against Oak Harbor. The Eagles routed Oak Harbor 43-8 in 2019, the most recent meeting between these teams. Their 2017 and 2018 matchups both went to overtime.

Oak Harbor: 1-0; beat Cedarcrest 28-12 last week

About the Wildcats: After spending most of the past decade as a perennial Wesco 3A North contender, Oak Harbor is looking to bounce back from a 2-8 season in 2019 and an 0-6 slate this past spring. The Wildcats, who tied for fifth out of seven teams in the Wesco 3A North preseason coaches poll, opened their season with a non-league victory over 2A Cedarcrest. Senior quarterback Kaito White finished 14-of-25 passing for 184 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. His top target was senior Will Rankin, who had eight catches for 109 yards and two scores. Oak Harbor’s defense came up with four interceptions, including three from senior Dylan Estes.

Arlington: 1-0; beat Edmonds-Woodway 35-7 last week

About the Eagles: After a rough 2-3 spring, Arlington made quite the statement in a 35-7 season-opening rout of Wesco 3A South favorite Edmonds-Woodway. Standout senior quarterback Trent Nobach, who missed nearly the entire spring campaign with a broken collarbone, had an impressive first game back from injury. Nobach completed 22 of 28 passes for 308 yards, four TDs and one interception, leading the Eagles to a 35-0 halftime lead against an Edmonds-Woodway defense that allowed just 20 points combined in the five-game spring slate. Senior receiver Levi Younger hauled in eight catches for 101 yards and two TDs, while fellow seniors Gage Price and Elisha Jackson each added 80 yards receiving and a TD reception. Arlington’s defense also had a strong performance, forcing four turnovers and limiting the Warriors to just 184 total yards and 4.3 yards per play.

Herald pick: Arlington

MOUNT VERNON vs. MARYSVILLE GETCHELL

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Quil Ceda Stadium

The skinny: Marysville Getchell seeks its first 2-0 start in its 11-year program history as it opens Wesco 3A North play against league newcomer Mount Vernon. Though it’s early in the season, this game could be pivotal in the battle for the league’s final postseason berths. Mount Vernon was picked fourth out of seven teams in the Wesco 3A North preseason coaches poll, while Marysville Getchell tied for fifth. The top five teams advance to the Week 9 crossover round against the Wesco 3A South.

Mount Vernon: 0-1; lost to Sedro-Woolley 44-0 last week

About the Bulldogs: Former Wesco 4A member Mount Vernon is entering its first season in the Wesco 3A North. After a massive turnaround that culminated in a 4A state playoff appearance in 2018, the Bulldogs went 5-5 in 2019 and 2-4 this past spring. Mount Vernon opened its season with a blowout non-league loss to perennial Northwest Conference 2A contender Sedro-Woolley.

Marysville Getchell: 1-0; beat Meadowdale 27-7 last week

About the Chargers: After a 1-4 spring, Marysville Getchell opened its season with a commanding non-league win over Meadowdale. The Chargers’ defense held the Mavericks to 158 total yards, including just 70 yards rushing on 30 carries. Senior running back Riley Riba led the way on offense, rushing for 180 yards and three TDs on 14 carries.

Herald pick: Mount Vernon

2A No. 6 LAKEWOOD at 1A No. 5 LYNDEN CHRISTIAN

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Lynden Christian H.S.

The skinny: This is an intriguing non-league clash between one of the state’s top 2A programs and one of the state’s top 1A programs. In 2019, Lakewood reached the 2A state quarterfinals and Lynden Christian reached the 1A state title game.

Lakewood: 0-1; lost to North Creek 59-35 last week

About the Cougars: After a dominant 5-0 spring, Lakewood opened its season with a non-league loss to a challenging 4A opponent in North Creek, which has quickly grown into a quality KingCo 4A program in its school’s brief history. The Cougars’ defense, which yielded just 8.4 points per game during the spring, allowed 59 points to North Creek through the game’s first three quarters. Dual-threat senior quarterback Justice Taylor led Lakewood’s offense with five total TDs. He finished 13-of-27 passing for 152 yards, two TDs and two interceptions, while adding 127 yards and three scores on the ground.

Lynden Christian: 0-1; lost to Squalicum 40-14 last week

About the Lyncs: Lynden Christian has developed into one of the state’s premier 1A programs in recent years. The Lyncs reached the 1A state semifinals in 2018 and then made a run to the 1A state title game in 2019. And this past spring, Lynden Christian went 5-0 with a win over perennial 2A state powerhouse and crosstown rival Lynden. The Lyncs opened their season with a non-league loss to Squalicum, which moved up to No. 3 in this week’s 2A state poll.

Herald pick: Lakewood

MARINER vs. CASCADE

When: 8 p.m., Friday

Where: Everett Memorial Stadium

The skinny: The former Wesco 4A rivals square off in what’s now a non-league matchup, with Cascade having dropped to the 3A level and electing to play an independent schedule this fall. Mariner has won seven of the past 10 meetings, including a 45-28 victory in 2019.

Mariner: 1-0; beat Lynnwood 41-14 last week

About the Marauders: After a 1-4 spring slate, Mariner opened its season with a non-league rout of Lynnwood. Junior running back Cartez Williams had a massive game, accounting for 220 yards from scrimmage and four total TDs. Williams ran for 171 yards and two TDs on 20 carries, and also had a punt return score and a 49-yard TD reception.

Cascade: 1-0; beat Jackson 50-30 last week

About the Bruins: Cascade, which went 4-1 while playing a competitively balanced schedule this past spring, elected to play an independent slate this fall. The Bruins opened their season by totaling 551 yards of offense in a non-league win over Jackson, including 478 yards rushing at a clip of 10.0 yards per carry. Julian Thomas, a junior, ran for 241 yards and three TDs on 26 carries. Xander Larsen, a senior, added 183 yards rushing on 15 carries and three total TDs.

Herald pick: Mariner