Monroe quarterback Zach Zimmerman drops back to pass during practice Thursday afternoon at Monroe High School. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Monroe quarterback Zach Zimmerman drops back to pass during practice Thursday afternoon at Monroe High School. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Monroe, Glacier Peak square off in early battle of 4A contenders

SNOHOMISH — On one sideline is the home team, a returning Class 3A state quarterfinalist looking to prove it can compete in the 4A division after moving up during the offseason.

On the opposite side is the visitors, the preseason Wesco 4A favorites from the east looking to justify the hype.

Such will be the scene Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium as the Class 4A neophyte Glacier Peak Grizzlies (3-1) play host to the Monroe Bearcats (4-0).

“The kids are loving it because these are the teams they’ve wanted to play for a long time,” said Nick Bender, in his first year as Glacier Peak’s head coach after eight seasons as an assistant. “Now they’re getting to and it actually means something.”

Monroe, Glacier Peak’s opponent from just 11 miles away across the Snohomish River Valley, needs Week 5 to go better than it has the last two seasons. The Bearcats began each of the past two campaigns with 4-0 records before suffering Week 5 losses en route to 7-3 finishes and first-round playoff exits.

“We’re just trying to get over the hump,” said second-year Monroe head coach Michael Bumpus, a record-setting receiver at Washington State who played one season with the Seattle Seahawks. “Expectations are high. Everyone is expecting us to win league. I told these boys that nothing is given.

“(It’s the) same old cliché — one game at a time and go from there.”

These teams have seemingly been on a collision course since before the season started. Both squads are tied with Lake Stevens atop the conference standings with 2-0 records. For the Grizzlies this is the second of a three-game stretch that has them facing Jackson, Monroe and Lake Stevens in consecutive weeks — three teams with a combined record of 11-1.

“Every single one of them matters, which from a coaching perspective is exciting because now we don’t have to worry about getting the kids excited,” Bender said. “Here they are, they’re showing up early for practice even though they don’t have to be here yet, because they want to get better.”

Monroe has yet to face as difficult a test. The Bearcats defeated Mount Si 19-7 in Week 2, but have outscored Meadowdale, Kamiak and Cascade 163-23.

“That’s what we’ve been preaching all week: No one here has done anything thing more than what we have done last year,” Bumpus said. “And GP is a test. It’s a good test for that Week 5 … That’s part of getting over the hump is getting over that 4-0 and trying to beat a quality team.”

Both teams feature outstanding quarterbacks.

The Grizzlies rely on sophomore standout Ayden Ziomas, who assumed the starter’s role midway through last season. Ziomas has already thrown for 1,241 yards and 19 touchdowns against two interceptions in four games. He has also rushed for 196 yards and has earned the trust of his head coach to make in-game decisions when he sees things.

“(Bender) gives me the ability that if I’m out there and I see something I like then I have the ability to change what the receiver does,” Ziomas said. “I did that maybe a little bit last year, but I’ve been doing it more as I’ve been getting more comfortable out there in the varsity games. It’s something I’m looking for a lot more and can identify easier.”

Ziomas’ top targets are senior Seiver Southard (23 receptions, 338 yards, five touchdowns), senior Colton Bunt (26 receptions, 537 yards, four touchdowns) and senior Alex Garrett (nine catches, 107 yards, four touchdowns). Senior Billy Lutali has rushed for 293 yards on 54 attempts.

Monroe quarterback Zach Zimmerman doesn’t have quite the video game numbers of his Glacier Peak counterpart, but he has thrown for 802 yards and 11 touchdowns against four interceptions. He has also rushed for three scores. Junior receiver Isaiah Cole (17 receptions, 336 yards, six touchdowns) is Zimmerman’s top target.

The Bearcats also have senior running back JJ Jerome who complements Zimmerman in the backfield. Jerome has rushed for 636 yards and eight touchdowns already this season and has also caught nine passes for 185 yards and three scores.

“You gotta respect the run, you gotta respect the pass, and having a guy like him is incredible because — the numbers show — they don’t lie,” Zimmerman said. “It’s not just that, it’s our offensive linemen. We have some big boys who love to block whether it’s a pass or a run and having a running back like JJ is awesome because it opens things up downfield.”

It should be a high-scoring affair tonight as one team will see its league title aspirations take a hit while the other remains in contention.

“We’re really fired up,” Ziomas said. “We’ve all been really focused this week. This is a big game and probably one of the best teams we’re going to play all year if not the best. The guys have been focused and we have that vision in our eyes. We know what we need to do so I think we’re ready.”

Follow Herald Writer Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.

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