There are some interesting parallels in tonight’s Western Conference divisional match-ups.
In the North, Arlington and Oak Harbor have managed to separate themselves from the field, albeit not by much. One team (Arlington) plays a winless opponent (Mount Vernon), while the other (Oak Harbor) faces a challenge from upstart Monroe, which is just a game back in the standings.
In the South, Edmonds-Woodway and Shorecrest have achieved the separation. Shorecrest goes up against a winless Mountlake Terrace squad, while Edmonds-Woodway faces the challenge of playing Everett, hardly an upstart. The Seagulls were 6-3 last year and are considered a title contender this season.
Elsewhere in the North, Snohomish with two one-point losses in three weeks – one in overtime – will be drawing dead if it can’t beat Cascade on the road. The same could be said for a self-destructive Kamiak squad if it can’t beat rival Mariner.
Here’s a look at Week 4:
Edmonds-Woodway at Everett
Kickoff: 5 tonight at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Records: E-W is 3-0 overall and in the Wesco South. Everett is 2-1, 2-1.
Last week: E-W quarterback Randy Anderson (11-for-16, 148 yards, two touchdowns) engineered a 16-play, 65-yard drive, ending with his 8-yard TD pass to Casey Hamlett for the game-winning score in a 21-20 victory over Meadowdale.
Everett’s Andrew Skorney had touchdown runs of 15 and 10 yards as the Seagulls defeated Lynnwood 56-7.
Last year: Everett quarterback Bryce Levin threw a 25-yard TD pass to Justin Hudson to give the Seagulls a 33-30 double-overtime victory.
Players to watch: E-W running back Josh Heard is the No. 2 rusher in the South with 516 yards on 50 carries. Eric Greenwood is the second-leading receiver with 12 catches for 212 yards. Quarterback Randy Anderson is the third-leading passer with 24 completions in 39 attempts for 337 yards.
Defensive back/kick returner David Peoples has provided much of the spark for Everett in its last two games. He had a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Mariner and last week returned a fumble recovery 61 yards for a touchdown against Lynnwood.
Breaking down the game: E-W is all about balance on offense. Everett didn’t have to pass last week, but can as evidenced by last year’s outcome.
Little-known fact: The E-W defense allowed 20 points against Meadowdale, but yielded just one TD in its other two games.
John McDonald’s pick: E-W 28-21.
Mike Cane’s pick: Everett 24-21.
Jackson at Meadowdale
Kickoff: 8 tonight at Edmonds Stadium.
Records: Both teams are 2-1 overall and in the Wesco South.
Last week: Jackson quarterback Jake Gelakoska threw a 45-yard TD pass to Billy Green with 1:11 to play, then tossed a two-point conversion to Ryan Brown to give the Timberwolves a 29-22 win over Mountlake Terrace.
Meadowdale quarterback Matt Johnson ran for 45 yards and threw for 48 in the loss to E-W.
Last year: Meadowdale quarterback Demetri Huffman threw three TD passes to Jake Linton and running back Travis Anderson gained 102 yards in a 28-6 Mavericks victory.
Players to watch: Jackson quarterback Jake Gelakoska is the leading passer in the South with 53 completions in 92 attempts for 824 yards. The Timberwolves have four receivers with significant yardage: Kawika Emsley-Pai (17 catches, 254 yards), Kevin Salkey (11, 212), Billy Green (three, 131) and Mike Santoro (nine, 97).
Kevin Kim leads Meadowdale on the ground with 31 carries for 193 yards. Quarterback Matt Johnson has run for 161 yards and passed for 104.
Breaking down the game: The good news for Jackson is that Gelakoska is the league’s leading passer. The bad news is he’s the Timberwolves’ leading rusher as well. It’s tough to maintain ball control and burn the clock without a dominant running game, but the passing game certainly produces big plays.
The offensive numbers aren’t there for Meadowdale, but the Mavericks have been in every game, losing by one point to E-W, beating Mountlake Terrace by one in overtime and edging Kamiak by a touchdown. Their defense must be pretty competent.
Little-known fact: Two failed extra-point attempts hurt Meadowdale badly against E-W.
John McDonald’s pick: Meadowdale 35-28.
Mike Cane’s pick: Meadowdale 20-14.
Snohomish at Cascade
Kickoff: 8 tonight at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Records: Snohomish is 1-2 overall and in the Wesco North. Cascade is 1-1, 2-1.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Last week: Snohomish running back Luke Darling carried 23 times for 93 yards and quarterback Kevin Rodland threw for 116 yards and two TDs in the loss to Oak Harbor.
Cascade running back J.P. Oliver carried 24 times for 110 yards and scored two TDs in a 21-14 win over Kentridge.
Last year: Snohomish quarterback Nick Caraballo passed for 112 yards and two TDs in a 49-7 Panthers win.
Players to watch: Snohomish running backs Steve Harrington (36 carries, 190 yards) and Luke Darling have combined for 446 yards rushing. Quarterback Kevin Rodland (12-for-26, 236 yards passing) has 149 more. Tight end Nate VanDuine is the No. 2 receiver in the North with nine catches for 174 yards.
Cascade running back J.P. Oliver has 58 carries for 211 yards. Fellow back Travis Warren has 15 attempts for 132 yards. Quarterback Dirk Snel is 19-for-40 for 121 yards. His top receiver is Matt McCorkle with four catches for 91 yards.
Breaking down the game: If the Bruins get you down, they will grind it out.
Snohomish has moved the ball well in all three games, but suffered two heartbreaking losses nevertheless.
Little-known fact: Cascade did not attempt a pass last week.
John McDonald’s pick: Snohomish 14-7.
Mike Cane’s pick: Snohomish 21-14.
Monroe at Oak Harbor
Kickoff: 7 tonight at Memorial Stadium.
Records: Monroe is 2-1 overall and in the Wesco North. Oak Harbor is 2-0, 3-0.
Last week: Monroe running back Jeff Donaldson carried 35 times for 173 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 24-17 win over Marysville-Pilchuck.
Oak Harbor quarterback Marshall Lobbestael completed 11 of 17 passes for 212 yards and threw two TD passes in a 35-34 win over Snohomish.
Last year: Oak Harbor running back Dan Raymond ran for 140 yards on 15 carries and scored two TDs in a 28-20 Wildcats victory.
Players to watch: Monroe back Jeff Donaldson has 85 carries for 520 yards. Dustin Shelton has 134 yards on 24 carries and Brian McPeters has 115 on 23.
Oak Harbor back Gabe Vest has rushed for 216 yards on 29 carries. Sean O’Brien has 28 carries for 135 yards. Quarterback Marshall Lobbestael is 36-for-56 for 507 yards. Receiver Brendan Kays has 14 catches for 164 yards.
Breaking down the game: Oak Harbor can beat you on the ground or through the air. Monroe definitely has its program back on track, but this game is a huge challenge for the Bearcats. Oak Harbor has balance. Monroe has yet to provide any evidence of a passing game, raising the question: Can the Bearcats play catchup?
Little-known fact: Oak Harbor’s Rodrick Rumble had the defensive play of the year for the Wildcats, blocking a point-after kick that would have sent last week’s game against Snohomish into overtime and preserving a one-point victory.
John McDonald’s pick: Oak Harbor 35-21.
Mike Cane’s pick: Oak Harbor 28-27.
Other games tonight
Wesco North: Mount Vernon (0-2, 0-3) at Arlington (3-0, 3-0), Lake Stevens (1-2, 1-2) at Marysville-Pilchuck (0-3, 0-3), 7 p.m.
Wesco South: Shorecrest (3-0, 3-0) vs. Mountlake Terrace (0-3, 0-3) at Edmonds Stadium, 5 p.m.; Lynnwood (0-3, 0-3) vs. Shorewood (0-3, 0-3) at Shoreline Stadium, 7 p.m.
Cascade Conference: Granite Falls (0-0, 2-1) at King’s (0-0, 3-0), Sultan (0-0, 2-1) at Lakewood (0-0, 1-2), Archbishop Murphy (0-0, 3-0) at Cedarcrest (1-0, 2-1), 7 p.m.
Northwest 1A/B League: Friday Harbor (0-0, 3-0) at La Conner (0-0, 2-1), 6 p.m.; Coupeville (0-0, 1-2) at Concrete (0-0, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Non-conference: South Whidbey (0-3) at Hoquiam (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
Games Saturday
Northwest 1A/B League: Orcas Island (0-0, 3-0) vs. Cedar Park Christian (0-0, 1-2) at Juanita H.S., 11:30 a.m.
Non-conference: Stanwood (2-1) at Kentwood (3-0), 1 p.m.; Darrington (1-2) at Life Christian (2-1), 7 p.m.
Herald Prep Editor John McDonald is 7-3 on his picks this season. Prep Writer Mike Cane is 6-4.
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