By John McDonald and Aaron Coe
Herald Writers
Planning to go to Friday’s Marysville-Pilchuck at Mount Vernon football game? Be prepared to stand and bring your own cover.
Both grandstands, home and visitor, at Mount Vernon’s stadium have been condemned, so the only seating available for Friday’s game will be in temporary portable bleachers. Mount Vernon athletic director Eric Monson estimated those bleachers will accommodate 600 to 800 fans. But they are uncovered and open to the elements.
Arrive early to get a seat or be prepared to stand on the perimeter of the field.
This is likely to be an ongoing situation for Mount Vernon home games, Monson said.
Pringle steps down: Snohomish coach John Pringle, who has guided the Panther swim programs since 1990-91, will not coach the boys team this winter.
Pringle, whose wife passed away last year, said he is giving up the boys post to devote more time to his sons, ages 4 and 10.
Pringle, who will remain as the girls coach, said no one has been named to replace him with the boys program and that the position is still open to applicants.
Bye-bye, bye: The Arlington Eagles have found an opponent for the open date on their football schedule. The Eagles will play at Parkrose High School east of Portland, Ore., on Oct. 5.
Lake Stevens was unable to find an opponent for its open date this week. Stanwood is still trying to fill its open date, Oct. 19.
Airing it out: Strange things have been happening to the Lake Stevens football program lately. The Vikings have broken away from their past – and that of most schools in the northern part of the county – and developed a strong passing attack. Vikings coach Ken Collins began moving toward a balanced offense last season by utilizing strong-armed quarterback Nolan Perkl. This year, Collins is breaking in Mitch Canham, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior.
Though Collins still believes strongly in establishing a strong running game, he realized he can’t ignore putting the ball in the hands of talented passers.
Canham was an unspectacular 4-for-12 in Lake Stevens’ season opening victory over Cascade, but was brilliant Friday in a 14-7 victory at Snohomish. Canham, who carries a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, completed 12 of 16 passes for 125 yards and had a long touchdown pass called back on a penalty.
“We realized that in order to win big games in the playoffs, you have to be able to throw the ball,” Collins said. “Believe me, it’s not in my nature. I’d run the ball on every play if I could.”
Former Class 3A schools fitting in: Oh, those poor 3A schools. That was all the talk when the numbers came in and it was learned that the Western Conference 3A was a goner. People wondered if it would be possible for the smaller schools to compete with the traditional football powers in a new 4A league, the 19-school Western Conference.
Through the first two weeks, the former 3A schools are doing just fine. They are 6-7 against last year’s Wesco 4A schools. Meadowdale and Lynnwood, which are still 3A schools but compete in the Western Conference, are responsible for three of the seven losses.
Lake Stevens and Arlington, 1-2 finishers in the Wesco 3A last year, are atop the North Division standings along with 4A holdover Marysville-Pilchuck. Lake Stevens’ two victories came against perennial powers Cascade and Snohomish. Arlington beat Cascade and a solid Oak Harbor team.
“People said we couldn’t compete,” Lake Stevens player Joey Daube said. “We’ve proven them wrong.”
Signs of life: OK, maybe they’re not title contenders this year. The Mariner soccer team is 0-1-1. But that one tie was the most exciting thing that’s happened to the Marauders in some time.
Mariner opened its season Sept. 6 with a 1-1 tie against Anacortes. One goal isn’t always a reason to celebrate, but that one goal equaled the total number of goals the team scored all last year. And the tie? Well, after going 0-15 last year, a tie is a beautiful, beautiful thing. The team’s small but resilient senior class had lost all 32 of its conference game (0-32) in its three years and suffered a 3-42 overall record.
Having a new coach nearly every year and the move to 4A in 1999 have contributed to the struggles. So forgive them if that one goal made the Marauders jump for joy.
“The girls were very, very excited,” said Mariner coach Rick Lee, who is in his first year with the team. “When you only score once in a whole season, then get one in your first game, that’s pretty exciting.”
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