Perennial Western Conference 4A powers like Snohomish used to have it easy every once in a while. Programs at some conference schools were down and the Panthers could pretty much count on an easy win some weeks.
Those days are gone.
Every week comes another test nowadays. This week the test will be provided by the Mountlake Terrace Hawks.
“The balance in our league is phenomenal,” said Snohomish coach Mark Perry. “Look at Mountlake Terrace. It knocked off Mariner, then had a good game against Marysville-Pilchuck followed by an outstanding game against Cascade.”
Perry said the Hawks are the fastest team Snohomish has faced so far this season. He noted Terrace’s speed at quarterback (Mike Yalowicki), running back (Leif Curtis) and split end (Jordan Curtis).
“Our philosophy is the same as it was a couple of years ago against Cascade when they had all that speed with the Butlers and Hollomans. We want to contain the speed and not let them have the big play. They’re going to get their yards, that’s okay, but we can’t give up the big play.”
Perry said the Terrace linemen are also doing a good job. “They controlled the line of scrimmage against Cascade. That’s what allowed them to stay in the game,” he said.
Mountlake Terrace will need another good game out of its line if it hopes to stay in the game with the potent Panthers.
“That has been the key,” Perry said. “We knew coming into the season that our offense was versatile. We can run the option, we can run right at you, we can run the counter, we can throw … we haven’t had to, but we have a lot of tools. You can’t just line up and take the fullback out of the game against us.”
Here’s a look at the Terrace-Snohomish game and the rest of the weekend schedule:
Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Snohomish H.S.
Records: Mountlake Terrace is 1-2, 1-2. Snohomish is 2-0, 3-0.
Last year: Snohomish 64-24.
Players to watch: Mountlake Terrace back Leif Curtis had two touchdown runs in last week’s 21-14 loss to Cascade.
Snohomish quarterback Josh Rodland threw for 127 yards last week in a 27-0 victory over Marysville-Pilchuck. Receiver Ed Zimmerman caught two passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. His other catch set up a TD and he had an interception and a batted pass on defense.
Breaking down the game: Snohomish has shut out two of three opponents, but aren’t likely to keep the Hawks out of the end zone. The question is can Mountlake Terrace keep the Panthers, who average more than a touchdown per quarter, from getting out of reach. If the Hawks can keep it close, like they did last week against Cascade, they have a shot at an upset. But that’s a lot to ask of their defense two weeks in a row. Last year Snohomish scored eight rushing touchdowns.
Little-known fact: The Panthers recovered three of their own kickoffs in last year’s game and converted them into 18 points.
Pick: Snohomish 35-21.
Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Arlington H.S.
Records: Lake Stevens is 1-0 in league, 2-1 overall. Arlington is 1-0, 3-0.
Last year: Arlington 21-19.
Players to watch: Arlington quarterback Kevin McCormack threw for 168 yards and three touchdowns last week in a 42-0 victory over Lynnwood.
Lake Stevens running back Matt Williams carried 25 times for 192 yards last week in a 14-7 overtime victory over Meadowdale.
Breaking down the game: Lake Stevens held Arlington to 57 yards rushing last year, but gave up a game-winning touchdown pass in the last minute of play. The Eagles had eight turnovers, the Vikings five. Last week Lake Stevens lost four fumbles in the red zone. Looks like the team that hangs onto the football wins this game.
Arlington has had success passing the ball this season, while Lake Stevens has been effective moving the ball on the ground. Whichever defense can limit the effectiveness of the opponent’s offensive strength will probably emerge the winner.
Little-known fact: Last year’s game turned out to be the Wesco 3A title decider as Arlington went through league play unbeaten and Lake Stevens lost just that one game.
Pick: Arlington 28-21.
Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Monroe Stadium.
Records: Everett is 1-0, 2-1. Monroe is 0-1, 0-3.
Last year: Monroe 28-13.
Player to watch: Everett fullback Ben Challman picked up his game last week while several fellow Seagull backs endured injuries, rushing 29 times for 206 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-22 victory over Stanwood.
Breaking down the game: Monroe has endured a tough start after graduating a large number of seniors off last year’s team. The Bearcats have been shut out twice in three games and were held to 45 yards last week by Jackson. It doesn’t get any easier this week as they face Everett’s proven ground game and a Seagull defense that has done well against some high-powered foes.
Little-known fact: Everett contained standout running back Tyson Springer in last year’s game, but gave up 140 yards passing.
Pick: Everett 35-0.
Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Records: Oak Harbor is 0-2, 0-3. Cascade is 2-0, 3-0.
Last year: Cascade 14-0.
Players to watch: Oak Harbor’s Kevin McMickle scored on an 11-yard run in last week’s 13-9 loss to Edmonds-Woodway.
Fullbacks Jake Rideb and Joel Crawford give Cascade the ability to mount long, time-consuming drives, while running back Jerrell Jenkins poses a breakaway threat.
Breaking down the game: Oak Harbor has come close three times only to lose. Cascade has had two close calls in consecutive weeks. But this isn’t likely to be the week Oak Harbor gets off the snide. The Wildcats gave up 204 yards rushing to E-W back Landon Hall last week and Cascade will throw a lot of runners at their defense. Oak Harbor gained just 3 yards against the Bruins in the second half of last year’s game and had five passes intercepted. Cascade has lots of new players on defense, but they ought to be just as stingy.
Little-known fact: Cascade star Grady Sizemore moved to quarterback and scored twice on option runs in last year’s Bruin victory.
Pick: Cascade 21-7.
Wesco 4A: Mariner (1-2, 1-2) vs. Edmonds-Woodway (1-2, 1-2) at Edmonds Stadium, Marysville-Pilchuck (1-2, 1-2) vs. Shorewood (0-2, 1-2) at Shoreline Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Wesco 3A: Lynnwood (0-1, 0-3) at Stanwood (0-1, 1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Northwest 3A: Squalicum (0-1, 1-2) at Anacortes (0-1, 1-2), Sedro-Woolley (1-0, 2-1) vs. Bellingham (0-1, 1-2) at Bellingham Civic Stadium, Ferndale (1-0, 3-0) at Burlington-Edison (0-1, 1-2), Mount Vernon (1-0, 3-0) at Lynden (1-0, 2-1), 7:30 p.m.
North Cascades: Blaine (0-3, 0-3) at South Whidbey (1-1, 1-2), Granite Falls (0-2, 0-3) at Meridian (3-0, 3-0), Sultan (1-2, 1-2) at Lynden Christian (3-0, 3-0), Nooksack Valley (0-3, 0-3) at Mount Baker (1-1, 2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Non-conference: Coupeville (1-2) at Charles Wright (1-1), 5 p.m.; Windsor (Vancouver, B.C.) vs. Kamiak (3-0) at Goddard Stadium, 7 p.m.; Emerald Ridge at Lakewood (3-0), Life Christian (2-0) at Concrete (1-2), Darrington (2-1) at King’s (3-0), Cascade Christian (1-2) at LaConner (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
Non-conference: Tacoma Baptist (3-0) at Friday Harbor (0-2), 12:30 p.m.; Chief Leschi (0-3) at Orcas Island (3-0), 1 p.m.
