Two weeks ago, prior to the Kamiak vs. Mariner game, some Kamiak players told Herald Writer Aaron Coe they didn’t consider Mariner to be their rival. They thought of Cascade in that role.
Well, there are two kinds of rivalries.
The Kamiak-Mariner type is more permanent and independent of mitigating factors like records. It’s like a sibling rivalry in a dysfunctional family where there is no filial affection whatsoever (see Apple Cup). It takes place every year no matter what and it doesn’t matter whether both teams are undefeated or winless.
The Kamiak-Cascade type is more fluid. It exists only as long as both programs are in contention for postseason play and the outcome can have a bearing on both teams’ postseason fates (see Oregon vs. Washington).
The Kamiak-Cascade rivalry came into existence shortly after Kamiak opened, when the Knights beat Cascade in overtime in their second-ever meeting to snap the Bruins’ 50-game Western Conference winning streak. In each of the three meetings since, the winner has gone on to finish in no worse than a tie for first.
It means a lot. You’re not just playing for pride, you’re playing to extend your season.
Unlike last season, when the loss kept Cascade out of the playoffs, there isn’t as much pressure to win this year as the top three Wesco 4A teams are assured postseason games. But the difference is marginal. A win will be huge. A loss will be devastating.
Here’s a look at that game and the rest of the weekend schedule:
Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Everett Memorial Stadium (KRKO radio, 1380 AM).
Records: Both teams are 3-0 in league, 4-0 overall.
Last year: Kamiak 21-7.
Players to watch: Kamiak quarterback Ryan Jones completed seven of nine passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 70-6 victory over Windsor of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Cascade running back Joel Crawford carried 15 times for 168 yards and two touchdowns, while fellow back Jerrell Jenkins carried 19 times for 120 yards and two TDs.
Breaking down the game: Last year Kamiak trailed at the half, but converted two Bruin turnovers into second-half scores to win the game. A different cast of characters will play this year. Kamiak graduated all-league quarterback Ryan Kanekeberg (Oregon State), while Cascade lost all-league running back Grady Sizemore (professional baseball). But their successors are the same type of players. Jones is having a very Kanekeberg-type season, while Crawford and Jenkins are emerging as the latest versions of Sizemore and Blake Walker. Both teams match up well and have survived the first four weeks unscathed. The outcome is likely to hinge on mistakes again, perhaps as few as one turnover.
Little-known fact: Kamiak has yet to win two years in a row, but can tie the all-time series at 3-3 with a victory.
Pick: Kamiak 22-21.
Kickoff: 5 p.m. today at Edmonds Stadium.
Records: Everett is 2-0 in league, 3-1 overall. Meadowdale is 1-1, 1-3.
Last year: Everett 27-6.
Players to watch: Meadowdale running back Rod Boatner carred 25 times for 163 yards and two TDs last week in a 28-7 victory over Jackson.
Everett fullback Ben Challman carried 26 times for 245 yards and scored four touchdowns Monday in a 27-12 victory over Monroe.
Breaking down the game: If preparation is a factor, Everett is in trouble. Because of Friday’s postponement, the Seagulls are playing their second game this week. Meadowdale has been off since last Thursday night. But Everett may have a motivational advantage. Meadowdale is a young club on the rise, but the Seagulls are trying to protect their share of the Wesco 3A lead. Challman may be the best back in the county. Meadowdale couldn’t stop him last year (18 carries, 152 yards) and no opponent has contained him this season. And should they manage the feat, it’s likely they’ll get burned by the outside speed of Seagull back Brian Price, who scored twice against the Mavericks last season.
Little-known fact: This was Everett’s first win last season.
Pick: Everett 35-14.
Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Lakewood H.S.
Records: Both teams a 4-0 in league and overall.
Last year: Lynden Christian 46-14.
Players to watch: Lynden Christian receiver Lincoln Vander Veen had 105 yards receiving in last week’s 28-0 victory over Sultan. He also scored on a 34-yard run on a reverse.
Lakewood back Kris Kazen has rushed for 418 yards in his last two games. He carried 22 times for 195 yards and two TDs last week in a 21-6 victory over Emerald Ridge and carried 23 times for 223 yards and four TDs two weeks ago in a 26-0 victory over Nooksack Valley.
Breaking down the game: If Lakewood is going to alter the balance of power in the North Cascades Conference, this is the opportunity. A Snohomish County team has yet to crack the Whatcom County domination of this league. To do it, the Cougars are going to have to run into the teeth of a Lyncs defense that held Sultan to 76 yards rushing. Conversely, Lynden Christian is going to have to find a way to penetrate a Lakewood defense that has yielded just 12 points this season.
Little-known fact: Lynden Christian outscored its first four opponents 193-6.
Pick: Lynden Christian 21-14.
Wesco 4A: Snohomish (3-0, 4-0) vs. Mariner (1-3, 1-3) at Goddard Stadium, Sehome (4-0, 4-0) vs. Marysville-Pilchuck (1-3, 1-3) at Quil Ceda Stadium, Mountlake Terrace (1-3, 1-3) vs. Shorecrest (0-3, 0-4) at Shoreline Stadium, Shorewood (1-2, 2-2) vs. Oak Harbor (0-3, 0-4) at Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Wesco 3A: Jackson (1-1, 2-2) at Arlington (1-1, 3-1), Monroe (0-2, 0-4) at Stanwood (1-1, 2-2), 7:30 p.m.; Lake Stevens (2-0, 3-1) vs. Lynnwood (0-2, 0-4) at Edmonds Stadium, 8 p.m.
North Cascades: Blaine (1-3, 1-3) at Granite Falls (0-3, 0-4), Meridian (4-0, 4-0) at Mount Baker (2-1, 3-1), Nooksack Valley (0-4, 0-4) at South Whidbey (1-2, 1-3), 7:30 p.m.
Northwest 3A: Lynden (1-1, 2-2) at Anacortes (1-1, 2-2), Bellingham (0-2, 1-3) at Mount Vernon (2-0, 4-0), Burlington-Edison (0-2, 1-3) vs. Squalicum (0-2, 1-3) at Bellingham Civic Stadium, Ferndale (2-0, 4-0) at Sedro-Woolley (2-0, 3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Kingco 4A: Franklin (0-4, 0-4) vs. Inglemoor (4-0, 4-0) at Pop Keeney Stadium, Roosevelt (1-3, 1-3) vs. Garfield (1-3, 1-3) at Seattle Memorial Stadium, Juanita (1-3, 1-3) at Redmond (2-2, 2-2), 7:30 p.m.
Northwest A: Friday Harbor (0-0, 0-3) at Darrington (0-0, 3-1), 5:30 p.m.; LaConner (0-0, 4-0) at Concrete (0-0, 2-2), 7:30 p.m.
Non-conference: Sultan (1-3) at Cascade of Leavenworth (3-1), 7:30 p.m.
Kingco 4A: Lake Washington (3-1, 3-1) vs. Woodinville (3-1, 3-1) at Pop Keeney Stadium, 7 p.m.
Northwest A: Orcas Island (0-0, 4-0) at Coupeville (0-0, 2-2), 1 p.m.
Chinook A: Tacoma Baptist (0-0, 4-0) at Life Christian (0-0, 2-1), 7 p.m.; King’s (0-0, 3-1) vs. Cascade Christian (0-0, 1-3) at Sparks Stadium, Puyallup, 7:30 p.m.
