With two weeks remaining in the regular season, it’s time to start nailing down playoff berths.
In the Wesco North, Marysville-Pilchuck can secure a quad-district playoff berth with a win in either of its final two games (Monroe tonight, Oak Harbor on Oct. 30). Lake Stevens is in with victories in its last two games (Oak Harbor, Snohomish). And, if Arlington can beat Snohomish tonight, a berth goes to the winner of next week’s Arlington-vs.-Stanwood Stilly Cup game.
In the Wesco South, three of the foursome of Jackson, Cascade, Kamiak and Mountlake Terrace will advance. And each team controls its own destiny. Jackson moves on if it beats Terrace tonight or Cascade next week. Cascade sets up a possible South title game against Jackson with a win tonight over Edmonds-Woodway. Of course, Terrace can claim at least a share of the league title by closing out the regular season with victories over Jackson and Kamiak.
Winless Lynnwood is the only team out of contention for the two quad-district berths that go to the Wesco 3A. Undefeated Meadowdale is in the best position with games remaining against Lynnwood tonight and Everett next week. Everett must get by Shorecrest tonight to make next week’s game meaningful. Shorecrest must beat Everett to set up a second-place game next week against Glacier Peak.
In the Cascade Conference, Archbishop Murphy and Cedarcrest have clinched 2A District 1 berths. South Whidbey is a win away from nabbing the third. That would leave Granite Falls, Lakewood and Sultan vying for a spot in a play-in game.
Here’s a look at three key games and the rest of the weekend schedule:
Mountlake Terrace at Jackson
When: 8 tonight
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Records: Terrace is 3-1 in the Wesco South, 5-2 overall. Jackson is 4-0, 7-0.
Last year: Jackson clinched a 4A quad-district playoff berth with a 17-0 victory.
Last week: Terrace QB Brandyn Eckhart threw for two TDs and ran for another in a 28-7 win over Edmonds-Woodway.
Jackson RB Traishawn Patrick ran for 105 yards and a TD, RB Riley Carr ran for 99 yards and a TD and caught four passes for 46 yards and a TD, and QB Andy Gay passed for 131 yards and three TDs in a 37-14 win over Mariner.
Players to watch: Eckhart has 820 yards passing and 345 rushing and a combined 10 TDs for Terrace. RB Casey Ellersick has 667 yards rushing and eight TDs for the Hawks.
Gay has 1,486 yards passing and 16 TDs for Jackson. RB Riley Carr has 628 yards rushing and 507 yards receiving and a combined 22 TDs for the Timberwolves.
On paper: Terrace is having its best season in years, but the Hawks face their toughest opponents of the season in their next two games. Jackson’s offense has been unstoppable and there’s every reason to believe the Timberwolves will go into next week’s showdown with Cascade on the verge of a second straight unbeaten league season.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Jackson 42-30. Mike Cane picks Jackson 38-19. Tom Lafferty picks Jackson 40-14.
Marysville-Pilchuck at Monroe
When: 7 tonight
Where: Monroe H.S.
Records: M-P is 4-0 in the Wesco North, 7-0 overall. Monroe is 1-4, 2-5.
Last year: RB Austin Denton ran for 145 yards and two TDs to lead M-P to a 34-0 win.
Last week: M-P survived four first-half turnovers and scored twice in the fourth quarter to beat Kamiak 14-3.
Players to watch: Denton (1,393 yards) and A.J. Kvangnes (573) rank first and fourth among Wesco North RBs.
WR Cody Elledge leads the Bearcats with 325 receiving yards.
On paper: M-P is big and has some talented running backs. Monroe shouldn’t derail the Tomahawks’ quest for a second straight North title.
Predictions: John McDonald picks M-P 35-10. Mike Cane picks M-P 49-13. Tom Lafferty picks M-P 40-6.
Mariner at Kamiak
When: 7 tonight
Where: Goddard Stadium
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Records: Mariner is 1-4 in the Wesco South, 2-5 overall. Kamiak is 3-1, 3-4.
Last year: Mariner converted two interceptions into TDs in a 20-0 victory.
Last week: RB KeiVarae Russell ran for 103 yards and a TD in Mariner’s 37-14 loss to Jackson.
Chris Menghini made a 38-yard field goal for Kamiak’s only score in a 14-3 loss to Marysville-Pilchuck.
Players to watch: Mariner’s Russell leads the division is rushing with 860 yards.
Kamiak QB Jake Sortor leads the Knights in rushing (375 yards) and passing (1,006).
On paper: Throw out the book, this is a heated rivalry game. While things have not gone as Mariner would have liked this year, it’d make the Marauders’ season to knock off Kamiak and jeopardize the Knights’ playoff chances. Kamiak has the added incentive that a win puts it in position to claim a postseason berth next week.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Kamiak 27-21. Mike Cane picks Kamiak 21-20. Tom Lafferty picks Kamiak 21-14.
Other games tonight
Wesco South: Cascade (3-1, 6-1) vs. Edmonds-Woodway (1-3, 2-5) at Edmonds Stadium, 8 p.m.
Wesco North: Arlington (3-2, 3-4) at Snohomish (1-3, 3-4), Lake Stevens (3-1, 4-3) at Oak Harbor (1-3, 2-5), 7 p.m.
Wesco 3A: Lynnwood (0-3, 0-7) vs. Meadowdale (2-0, 7-0) at Edmonds Stadium, Shorecrest (1-1, 3-4) vs. Everett (1-1, 3-4) at Everett Memorial Stadium, 5 p.m.
Non-conference: Ferndale (5-2) at Stanwood (3-4), Glacier Peak (5-2) vs. Shorewood (0-7) at Shoreline Stadium, 7 p.m.
Cascade Conference: King’s (4-1, 5-2) at Granite Falls (1-4, 2-5), Sultan (1-4, 2-5) at Lakewood (0-5, 2-5), South Whidbey (3-2, 4-3) at Archbishop Murphy (5-0, 6-1), Coupeville (2-3, 4-3) at Cedarcrest (4-1, 6-1), 7 p.m.
Northwest 2B: Darrington (1-2, 4-3) at La Conner (0-3, 1-6), 7 p.m.
Herald Prep Writer Mike Cane and KRKO broadcaster Tom Lafferty were 3-0 last week Herald Prep Editor John McDonald was 2-1. All three guessers are 16-8 this season.
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