New program set for 1st league test

Witnessing milestones is always a privilege for fans.

Backers of the fledgling football program at Archbishop Murphy High School will have the opportunity Saturday to be in attendance at the school’s first-ever league game.

The Wildcats, in just their second year of existence, host Orcas Island at 1:30 p.m. at Archbishop Murphy High School in the Northwest A League opener for both teams. The school is at 12911 39th Ave. SE, Everett.

Last season Archbishop Murphy played eight non-conference games, but only one against a varsity opponent, LaSalle of Yakima, another first-year operation.

The Wildcats have defeated three of four non-league opponents so far this season, but face an undefeated foe in Orcas Island, which is ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press Class A poll.

“They’re a worthy opponent,” Archbishop Murphy coach Terry Ennis said of Orcas. “They were the other (league) coaches’ pick as the preseason favorite and they’ve lived up to that so far.

“It’s a tough league opener, but we’re looking forward to comparing ourselves to other good teams in the area.”

The top two teams in the Northwest A League will advance directly to the first round of the state playoffs.

Meanwhile, the drive to the Class 4A playoffs continues in the Western Conference. Here’s a look at some Week 5 contests:

Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Stanwood High School.

Records: Lake Stevens is 3-0 in league and overall. Stanwood is 1-3, 1-3.

Last year: Lake Stevens won 26-0.

Players to watch: Lake Stevens running back Justin Balunsat rushed 14 times for 202 yards and returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown last week in a 38-14 victory over Arlington.

Quarterback Jake Herigstad completed eight of nine passes for 154 yards and ran for a touchdown last week in a 16-6 victory over Snohomish.

Breaking down the game: Lake Stevens’ line play has bested three opponents this season and was a big factor in last year’s shutout of Stanwood. Stanwood ran the ball well last week against Snohomish, but its running game has been contained at times this season. The Spartans will have to produce more than the 81 yards they netted last year against the Vikings if they are to have any chance of staging an upset. The good news for Stanwood is that it is coming off its best defensive game of the season. The Spartans allowed 186 yards rushing to Snohomish, but kept the Panthers’ offense out of the end zone and held them to just 23 yards passing.

Little-known fact: Lake Stevens was the only team to shut out Stanwood last season.

Pick: Lake Stevens 21-7.

Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Quil Ceda Stadium, Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

Records: Oak Harbor is 2-2 in league and overall. Marysville-Pilchuck is 2-1, 2-2.

Last year: Marysville-Pilchuck won 23-13.

Players to watch: Oak Harbor’s Kyle Veach had a 60-yard touchdown run in last week’s 30-12 loss to Mount Vernon.

Justin Powers and Joe Dickerson combined for 278 yards total offense last week in M-P’s 28-12 loss to Timberline.

Breaking down the game: Both teams have run up some big scores, although M-P’s offense has been relatively quiet the last two weeks after scoring 87 points in its first two games.

Oak Harbor was victimized by Mount Vernon’s passing game last week, giving up three touchdown passes. And M-P quarterback Ryan Swobody had a TD pass against Oak Harbor last year, so that’s an area the Tomahawks might try to exploit.

Little-known fact: Both teams have lost to Mount Vernon, but beaten Monroe and Stanwood.

Pick: Marysville-Pilchuck 28-21.

Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Goddard Stadium, Mariner High School.

Records: Everett is 2-2 in league and overall. Kamiak is 4-0, 4-0.

Last year: Did not play.

Players to watch: Everett running back Lee Smith carried 13 times for 153 yards last week in a 27-12 victory over Lynnwood.

Kamiak back David Eneberg rushed for 76 yards and had 58 yards receiving last week in a 48-23 victory over Shorecrest.

Breaking down the game: Everett, which gained 262 yards rushing last week against Lynnwood, may be able to run some against Kamiak, but it won’t be nearly enough to keep the ball out of the hands of a lethal Knights offense. Kamiak amassed 441 yards last week against Shorecrest, a team that beat Everett by three touchdowns.

Little-known fact: Kamiak’s average margin of victory so far this season is 32 points.

Pick: Kamiak 49-7.

Kickoff: 7:30 tonight at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Records: Edmonds-Woodway is 2-2 in league and overall. Jackson is 3-1, 3-1.

Last year: Did not play.

Players to watch: Edmonds-Woodway’s Kyle Trew rushed for 429 yards in the Warriors’ first three games this season.

Jackson quarterback Jason Morris rushed for 105 yards and passed for 94 and threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in last week’s 35-33 loss to Mariner.

Breaking down the game: Jackson’s second-half comeback fell a two-point conversion short last week. Meanwhile, Edmonds-Woodway watched a 17-0 halftime lead disappear as Shorewood completed three second-half TD passes. It would appear that Jackson is the better second-half team.

Little-known fact: Both teams finished fourth in their respective leagues last season.

Pick: Jackson 21-17.

Wesco: Shorecrest (3-1, 3-1) vs. Mountlake Terrace (0-4, 0-4) at Edmonds Stadium, 5 p.m.; Cascade (2-2, 2-2) at Mount Vernon (3-0, 4-0), Snohomish (1-2, 1-3) vs. Monroe (0-4, 0-4) at Monroe Stadium, Meadowdale (1-3, 1-3) vs. Shorewood (2-2, 2-2) at Shoreline Stadium, 7:30 p.m.; Mariner (3-1, 3-1) vs. Lynnwood (0-4, 0-4) at Edmonds Stadium.

North Cascades: Lakewood (2-2, 2-2) at Mount Baker (2-1, 3-1), Nooksack Valley (4-0, 4-0) at Lynden Christian (3-0, 4-0), South Whidbey (0-4, 0-4) at Blaine (1-2, 2-2), Granite Falls (0-4, 0-4) at Sultan (0-3, 0-4), 7:30 p.m.

Northwest A: Friday Harbor (0-0, 0-4) at La Conner (0-0, 4-0), Coupeville (0-0, 2-2) at Concrete (0-0, 3-1), 7:30 p.m.

Kingco 4A: Bothell (2-2, 2-2) at Lake Washington (2-2, 2-2), Woodinville (3-1, 3-1) at Redmond (2-2, 2-2), 7:30 p.m.

Non-conference: Arlington (2-2, 2-2) at Parkrose, Ore., 7:30 p.m.

Non-conference: Meridian (4-0) at Tacoma Baptist, 1 p.m.; Arlington JV at Darrington (3-1), 7 p.m.

Chinook A: King’s (0-0, 1-3) vs. Cascade Christian at Sparks Stadium, Puyallup, 7 p.m.

Northwest A: Orcas Island (0-0, 4-0) at Archbishop Murphy (0-0, 3-1), 1:30 p.m.