Going into the 2001 high school football season, most Western Conference followers thought two things: Kamiak is the best team and the North is the toughest division.
Tonight we’ll find out if either or both of those presumptions were correct.
Kamiak went the furthest in last season’s state playoffs and returned its best back (Justin Washington).
The North had two returning league champions (Snohomish and Lake Stevens) and two runnersup (Arlington and Mount Vernon) with postseason experience.
In tonight’s Wesco playoffs, the top three teams from each division clash for three state playoff berths.
North representatives Lake Stevens, Arlington and Mount Vernon are all back for another run at the playoffs. If the North proponents were right, they ought to win at least two of the three games.
Meanwhile, Kamiak finished first in the South as expected, albeit in a tie with Mariner. If the Knights proponents are right, they ought to win tonight and begin another drive deep into the state playoffs.
Here’s a look at all three playoff games:
Kickoff: 7 tonight at Snohomish H.S.
Records: Shorewood is 6-3. Lake Stevens is 7-1.
Last year: Did not play.
Players to watch: Shorewood back Seth Setterberg carried 18 times for 142 yards and a touchdown in Thursday’s 35-3 victory over Mountlake Terrace.
Lake Stevens back Joe Daube carried 14 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday’s 20-7 victory over Oak Harbor.
Breaking down the game: Shorewood has won five of its last six games, the only loss in that span being to South co-champion Kamiak. Against Terrace, the Scots ran for 290 yards and scored five rushing touchdowns. But the defense they face tonight will be a little stauncher.
A 7-0 loss to Mount Vernon in a mud bowl Oct. 19 is the only blemish on Lake Stevens’ record. The Vikings played Thursday without leading rusher Justin Blaunsat, who sat out with an ankle injury. But Nate Thomason has been a more than adequate replacement.
Little-known fact: Shorewood is vying for its first state playoff appearance since 1986. Lake Stevens got as far as the 3A quarterfinals last season before losing 18-6 to O’Dea.
Pick: Lake Stevens 21-7.
Kickoff: 5 tonight at Goddard Stadium.
Records: Arlington is 7-2. Mariner is 8-1.
Last year: Did not play.
Players to watch: Arlington quarterback Kevin McCormack threw for 193 yards and a touchdown and running back Joseph Boitano ran 22 times for 132 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 78 yards in Thursday’s 28-6 victory over Marysville-Pilchuck.
Mariner backs Markee Boussard (12 carries for 112 yards) and Mike Stockl (12 carries for 111 yards) combined for 223 yards rushing in Thursday’s 52-25 victory over Everett.
Breaking down the game: Both teams are coming in hot. Arlington has won five straight games since losing to Wesco North champion Lake Stevens. Mariner has won eight in a row since an opening-game loss to South co-champ Kamiak.
Both teams are also extremely talented at the skill positions.
Arlington has a balanced offense and can beat you in the air or on the ground. But the Eagles will be throwing into a talented Mariner secondary. And the Marauders have more team speed.
Little-known fact: Mariner beat Arlington 14-7 in the 1997 Wesco 3A title game.
Pick: Mariner 28-21 in double overtime.
Kickoff: 8 tonight at Goddard Stadium.
Records: Mount Vernon is 7-2. Kamiak is 8-1.
Last year: Did not play.
Players to watch: Mount Vernon’s Victor Carillo had a 21-yard pass reception for a touchdown and a 44-yard punt return for a TD in Thursday’s 24-13 victory over Stanwood.
Kamiak back Justin Washington rushed 16 times for 156 yards and a touchdown in Thursday’s 31-20 loss to Jackson.
Breaking down the game: The goal of every football team is to get better week to week and peak for the playoffs. These two teams are not hitting that target.
Mount Vernon has been on a roller coaster ride the last three weeks. First, it beat Lake Stevens to move into first place in the North. Then, it lost to Arlington to fall to fourth and possibly out of the playoffs. Then, it beat Stanwood and got some help from Cascade, which knocked Snohomish out of the playoffs, to finish third.
Kamiak rolled through its first seven games, then developed engine trouble. Two weeks ago, the Knights sputtered their way to a 14-7 victory over Shorewood. Then their winning streak ground to a halt with the loss to Jackson.
Kamiak is a superbly talented team. But there’s more to winning football games than physical ability. Maybe the Knights, who already had their playoff berth secured, lacked motivation against Jackson. But there is no better motivator than a loser-out game.
Little-known fact: Both teams reached the state playoffs last season. Mount Vernon finished second in the Northwest League and defeated Arlington 14-7 in a district playoff before losing 42-21 to Columbia River in the first round of the 3A playoffs. Kamiak finished second in the Wesco 4A and reached the state semifinals before losing 28-21 to Bethel.
Pick: Kamiak 21-14.
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