The Mountlake Terrace football team has a chance to make program history.
With a victory over visiting Bellingham in Friday night’s clash at Edmonds Stadium, the Hawks would clinch at least a share of the inaugural Northwest 2A Lake Division crown. Mountlake Terrace and Bellingham are 3-0 in divisional play.
It would be Terrace’s first league or division title in football since the school opened in 1960, according to coach Kelly Dougan.
“It’s a big opportunity for our guys and for our school, and we’re hoping to take advantage of the opportunity,” Dougan said. “The guys definitely know what’s there in front of them. … They’re really excited.”
The Hawks (4-2 overall, 3-0 Northwest 2A Lake Division) can secure the outright division title by beating both Bellingham and Cedarcrest in their final two regular-season games.
Even if they beat the Red Raiders on Friday and then lose to Cedarcrest next week, the Hawks would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over both Bellingham (4-2, 3-0) and Sehome (3-3, 2-1) — the other two teams still in contention for the division crown.
This is the first season of the Northwest District’s two-tiered Class 2A football system, which was created to improve competitive balance and help struggling programs. The district’s 11 2A teams were split into a five-team upper Sky Division and six-team lower Lake Division.
For the postseason, the Lake Division teams plus KingCo members Liberty (Issaquah) and Sammamish will be seeded by a Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) system.
Terrace currently is the top team in the RPI rankings, followed by second-place Liberty and third-place Bellingham. The top three teams in the RPI rankings host Week 9 playoff games, with the winners advancing to winner-to-state Week 10 playoff games against Sky Division teams.
After allowing 60 points combined in their first two games, the Hawks have yielded an average of just eight points per contest during their current four-game win streak.
“We kind of refocused on fundamentals,” Dougan said of his team’s defensive success. “And a large part of that is tackling — gang-tackling, swarming to the football (and) pursuing.
“Another piece of it is having kids settle into the best position for them to help our team. … We feel like we’ve got a good formula going.”
BELLINGHAM at MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Edmonds Stadium
What’s at stake: The winner of this game clinches at least a share of the Northwest 2A Lake Division title.
Bellingham: 4-2 overall, 3-0 Northwest 2A Lake Division; beat Anacortes 41-0 last week
About the Red Raiders: After allowing 63 points combined in its first two games, Bellingham has yielded just seven points per contest during its current four-game win streak. The Red Raiders scored 41 first-half points in last week’s rout of winless Anacortes, posting their second shutout in four games.
Mountlake Terrace: 4-2 overall, 3-0 Northwest 2A Lake Division; beat Blaine 40-0 last week
About the Hawks: With a victory, Mountlake Terrace would claim at least a share of a league or division title for the first time in program history. The Hawks have allowed just eight points per contest during their current four-game win streak, including last week’s shutout of Blaine.
Herald pick: Mountlake Terrace
MEADOWDALE at SHORECREST
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Shoreline Stadium
What’s at stake: With victories over Shorecrest and first-place Snohomish in its two remaining regular-season games, Meadowdale can claim at least a share of the Wesco 3A South title.
Meadowdale: 3-3 overall, 3-1 Wesco 3A South; beat Everett 48-14 last week
About the Mavericks: After a blowout non-league loss to Squalicum two weeks ago, Meadowdale bounced back with 48 first-half points in last week’s rout of Everett. Over their past five games, the up-and-down Mavericks have three wins of 20-plus points and two losses of 30-plus points. Junior quarterback Hunter Moen has thrown for 1,347 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Shorecrest: 3-3 overall, 2-2 Wesco 3A South; lost to Stanwood 31-23
About the Scots: After beginning the season 3-0 for the first time since 2005, Shorecrest has lost three consecutive games. The skid began with a shutout loss to crosstown rival Shorewood, followed by an overtime defeat to first-place Snohomish and last week’s non-league loss to Stanwood. The Scots have lost nine straight games to Meadowdale, with their last win over the Mavericks coming in 2008.
Herald pick: Meadowdale
MARYSVILLE PILCHUCK at FERNDALE
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ferndale H.S.
What’s at stake: With victories over Ferndale and Arlington in its two remaining regular-season games, Marysville Pilchuck would claim at least a share of the Wesco 3A North title. The Tomahawks are seeking to avenge last year’s 46-7 loss to eventual state-quarterfinalist Ferndale.
Marysville Pilchuck: 5-1 overall, 3-1 Wesco 3A North; beat Marysville Getchell 33-3
About the Tomahawks: After a Week 2 shutout loss to Oak Harbor, Marysville Pilchuck has won four straight games to move into a first-place tie with the Wildcats and Squalicum atop the Wesco 3A North. Senior running back Trenton Hurst rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s rout of crosstown rival Marysville Getchell, finishing just shy of 200 yards rushing for the second consecutive game.
Ferndale: 1-5 overall, 1-3 Wesco 3A North; lost to Squalicum 28-14 last week
About the Golden Eagles: Ferndale led Squalicum 7-0 at halftime last week, then surrendered 21 unanswered second-half points in suffering its third straight loss. The Golden Eagles’ Wing-T attack is led by seniors Gader Fox and Bryan Ebe, who each have rushed for more than 500 yards.
Herald pick: Marysville Pilchuck
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