Key Week 3 games: LS-Monroe, Stilly Cup highlight the action

MONROE at LAKE STEVENS

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Lake Stevens H.S.

Radio: KRKO 1380 AM

Preview story: Lake Stevens, Monroe set for another pivotal Wesco 4A clash

The skinny: This matchup decided the outright Wesco 4A title in both 2016 and 2017, and it could very well have major league-championship implications again this season. Six-time defending Wesco 4A champion Lake Stevens has beaten Monroe in 12 of the teams’ past 13 meetings, including six in a row by an average of 33.7 points per game. The Vikings won last year’s matchup 49-31.

Monroe: 1-1, lost to Woodinville 21-20 last week

About the Bearcats: Monroe split a pair of one-point contests against KingCo 4A powers Eastlake and Woodinville. The Bearcats opened with a 42-41 overtime win over Eastlake, keyed by a blocked extra point in overtime. Monroe then took a 13-point lead into the fourth quarter last week against No. 2-ranked Woodinville, but the three-time defending KingCo 4A champions rallied for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to edge the Bearcats. Monroe’s high-powered offense is led by quarterback Gio Fregoso (71 percent completion rate), running back Blake Rybar (440 yards from scrimmage and seven TDs) and Eastern Washington University commit Efton Chism III (20 catches for 250 yards).

Lake Stevens: 2-0; beat Lincoln 35-26 last week

About the Vikings: Reigning Class 4A state runner-up Lake Stevens opened with a 55-0 dismantling of Ferndale, outgaining the Golden Eagles 550-43 in total yardage. The Vikings then traveled to Tacoma last week and beat 3A fifth-ranked Lincoln, a talented team with a handful of state-ranked college prospects. Dallas Landeros has 250 yards rushing and 5 TDs, leading a powerful Lake Stevens ground attack that’s averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Quarterback Tanner Jellison has been efficient in his first two career varsity starts, completing 75 percent of his passes and tossing five TDs and one interception. The Vikings are riding a 38-game Wesco 4A win streak, dating back to 2013.

Herald Pick: Lake Stevens

ARLINGTON at STANWOOD

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Stanwood H.S.

The skinny: Arlington has beaten archrival Stanwood nine straight times in the annual Stilly Cup, but the Spartans have come close to ending the streak in recent years. The last three matchups were decided by just 11 points combined, including the Eagles’ 22-20 victory in 2016 and their 28-27 escape in 2017 when they blocked a short field goal on the game’s final play. Last year’s contest also was a one-possession game, with Arlington winning 21-13.

Arlington: 2-0 overall, 1-0 Wesco 3A North; beat Squalicum 33-7 last week

About the Eagles: Arlington allowed just 14 points combined in its first two games against Mariner and Squalicum, only one year after surrendering 65 total points to those same two teams. In last week’s victory over the defending Wesco 3A North champion Storm, the Eagles returned two interceptions for TDs and yielded less than five yards per play. Sophomore running back Jacob Kramer leads Arlington’s offense with 282 yards rushing and four TDs, averaging 8.8 yards per carry.

Stanwood: 1-1 overall, 0-1 Wesco 3A North; lost to Marysville Getchell 37-14 last week

About the Spartans: It’s been an up-and-down start to the season for Stanwood. The Spartans opened with a 40-7 win over Jackson, rushing for 331 yards in the rout. But it was a different story in last week’s Wesco 3A North opener, when Stanwood trailed 30-0 in the fourth quarter and managed just 229 total yards in a loss to Marysville Getchell. Isaac Ortega leads the Spartans with 259 yards from scrimmage and three TDs.

Herald Pick: Arlington

MARYSVILLE PILCHUCK at SQUALICUM

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Civic Stadium (Bellingham)

The skinny: After routing Oak Harbor in last week’s league opener, Marysville Pilchuck travels to face the defending Wesco 3A North champions. Squalicum looks to avenge last year’s 20-14 loss to the Tomahawks, who were the only team to beat the Storm in league play last season.

Marysville Pilchuck: 2-0 overall, 1-0 Wesco 3A North; beat Oak Harbor 42-0 last week

About the Tomahawks: After holding defending Wesco 3A champion Snohomish to just 14 points in a season-opening win, Marysville Pilchuck compiled another strong defensive performance last week, limiting Oak Harbor to just 151 total yards in a shutout victory. Jordan Justice and Dylan Carson lead Marysville Pilchuck’s rushing attack, which has averaged nearly nine yards per carry while totaling 498 yards and six TDs.

Squalicum: 1-1 overall, 0-1 Wesco 3A North; lost to Arlington 33-7 last week

About the Storm: Turnovers proved costly for Squalicum in last week’s loss to Arlington. The Storm threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for TDs. Sophomore running back Ben Schlenbaker led Squalicum last week with 220 yards from scrimmage, including 181 yards rushing on 30 carries.

Herald Pick: Marysville Pilchuck

FERNDALE at MARYSVILLE GETCHELL

When: 7 p.m., Friday

Where: Quil Ceda Stadium

The skinny: Ferndale has beaten Marysville Getchell each of the past three years since joining the Wesco 3A North, including a 28-16 win last season. The Chargers trailed just 14-13 entering the fourth quarter of that contest, but the Golden Eagles pulled away.

Ferndale: 0-2; lost to Lynden 33-21 last week

About the Golden Eagles: Ferndale is coming off a pair of losses to state finalists from last season. The Golden Eagles opened with a 55-0 loss to 4A state runner-up Lake Stevens, then fell to 2A runner-up Lynden in last week’s rivalry game. Ferndale is led by 6-foot-5, 280-pound two-way standout lineman Geirean Hatchett. The University of Washington commit is the 30th-ranked senior offensive lineman in the nation according to 247Sports, and the sixth-ranked senior guard.

Marysville Getchell: 1-1 overall, 1-0 Wesco 3A North; beat Stanwood 37-14 last week

About the Chargers: After opening with a 14-12 loss to Shorecrest, Marysville Getchell began Wesco 3A North action last week by rolling past Stanwood. The Chargers led 30-0 in the fourth quarter and held the Spartans’ offense to just 229 total yards. Cheron Smith leads Marysville Getchell’s rushing attack with 199 yards and a TD.

Herald Pick: Ferndale