Prep football picks

Sure we got a little appetizer Thursday night, but the main course is here tonight: Football is back.

The lights will be on in stadiums across Snohomish County as prep football returns with a good slate of games for opening night. From Arlington to Edmonds, there are intriguing storylines gal

ore, so let’s jump right into it with tonight’s marquee matchup:

Mariner at Arlington

7 p.m., John C. Larson Stadium, Arlington

No soft open for either of these teams. Defending Wesco champ Arlington hosts arguably the preseason favorite to take its crown. Everyone knows KeiVarae Russell, but the Marauders have more than the big-time running back. Mariner also returns three-fifths of its offensive line, including road-grater Martin Martinez. Mariner also has a nice compliment back in Dominique Law, who will likely see plenty of open holes this season with so many teams keying on Russell.

Due to the graduation of Alex Coffman, though, Mariner is inexperienced behind center. Gabe Dye and Dan Nadat split reps in practice this summer and both may combine to run the Marauders offense.

Where Mariner is unproven, though, Arlington places most of its confidence. Eagles quarterback Blake McPherson, who missed most of the 2010 campaign with a knee injury, is back. Eagles coach Greg Dailer said McPherson will not play defense so he can focus on running the offense and limit his injury risk. McPherson will likely target tight end Bo Brummel early and often.

One storyline to watch in tonight’s game involves someone who won’t be on the field. Eagles running back Riley Cobb, who was one Arlington’s returning leaders, is no longer on this year’s team after breaking team rules. Colton Hordyk will likely carry the load in Cobb’s absence. His performance could go a long way in determining tonight’s winner.

My pick: Mariner 27, Arlington 23

Follow tonight’s action on Twitter @heraldnetpreps

Jackson at Marysville Pilchuck

7 p.m., Quil Ceda Stadium, Marysville

Could the Wing-T Tommies turn to an aerial assault this season? We’re not likely to see it tonight, but MP coach Brandon Carson will likely unleash sophomore quarterback Jake Luton, who stands 6-foot-5 and has a big arm, at some point this season. Three-time Wesco South champ Jackson we know: all-league Sam Brown will conduct the offense with maestro-like precision and Trai Patrick is a load to take down.

My pick: Jackson 33, MP 19

Stanwood at Kamiak

7 p.m., Goddard Stadium, Everett

With a plethora of returning players, the Spartans promise to be better in 2011. But good enough to knock off the perennially strong Knights, who will likely go as far as the right arm of Anthony Berg takes them. I say no.

My pick: Kamiak 20, Stanwood 12

Cascade at Lake Stevens

7 p.m., LSHS Football Field, Lake Stevens

The Bruins slogged through a winless season in 2010 that tested the mettle of everyone in the program. Cascade returns a solid unit, including do-everything quarterback Larry Bruce. Lake Stevens, meanwhile, will rely on the leadership and play of returning quarterback Jake Nelson and wide receiver Christian Gasca. Can Cascade’s first victory since 2009 come in Lake Stevens tonight? It’ll be closer than most people expect, but it’s too tall a task.

My pick: Lake Stevens 28, Cascade 24

Other Wesco 4A games: Monroe at Edmonds-Woodway, 5 p.m., Edmonds Stadium, Edmonds; Inglemoor at Snohomish, 7 p.m. Snohomish Veterans Memorial Stadium, Snohomish

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Meadowdale at Shorecrest

7 p.m., Shoreline Stadium, Shoreline

The Mavericks are once again being called the team to beat in Wesco 3A this season. Returning a large core of its 2010 team, including running backs Kyler Larsen and Kyle Newsom, Meadowdale will lean on the run and its defense. The Scots meanwhile are an up-and-coming club that is looking to continue a solid 2010 campaign. The Mavs are just too much, however.

My pick: Meadowdale 30, Shorecrest 17

Glacier Peak at Lynnwood

8 p.m., Edmonds Stadium, Edmonds

The last game to kick off tonight is an intriguing one. Sure the Grizzlies have a tradition of pounding less-experienced teams like the Royals, but this year’s version is a bit of an unknown. Glacier Peak will have a brand-new quarterback in David Linney and replacing departed players like Tanner Southard and Jack Bonner is next to impossible. Watch Lynnwood come out and sock it to GP early. How the Grizzlies respond will be the key.

My pick: Glacier Peak 16, Lynnwood 10

Mountlake Terrace at Oak Harbor

7:30 p.m., Wildcats Memorial Stadium

The Hawks took it to Oak Harbor in last season’s opener, beating the Wildcats 45-13. This year speedster Josiah Miller an improved OH team get Terrace at home. It all starts here for the Wildcats if they want to fulfill their postseason dreams.

My pick: Oak Harbor 29, Mountlake Terrace 21

Other Wesco 3A games: Shorewood at Everett, 7 p.m., Everett Memorial Stadium.

Lakewood at Prairie

6 p.m., District Stadium, Battle Ground

The Cougars, who have Cascade Conference title aspirations, get an early test on the road. Prairie hasn’t had a winning season since 1997, but they return a large contingent of their 2010 team that went 4-5. Lakewood, meanwhile, returns all-league tight end Dustin Stanton. That should be enough.

My pick: Lakewood 27, Prairie 24

Other Cascade Conference games: Ellensburg at Archbishop Murphy, 7 p.m., Terry Ennis Stadium, Everett; South Whidbey at Bellingham, 7 p.m., Bellingham Civic Stadium, Bellingham; Cedarcrest at Renton, 7 p.m., Renton Memorial Stadium; Port Townsend at Coupeville, 7 p.m., Coupeville H.S.; Lakeside at King’s, 7 p.m., Woolsey Stadium, Seattle.Herald prep editor Aaron Swaney and KRKO announcer Tom Lafferty go head-to-head in picking prep games:

Tom Lafferty’s picks

Winners

Monroe at Edmonds-Woodway

Jackson at Marysville Pilchuck

Cedarcrest at Renton

South Whidbey at Bellingham

Lakeside at King’s

Mariner at Arlington

Inglemoor at Snohomish

Meadowdale at Shorecrest

Ellensburg at Archbishop Murphy

Cascade at Lake Stevens

Port Townsend at Coupeville

Stanwood at Kamiak

Shorewood at Everett

Lakewood at Prairie

Mountlake Terrace at Oak Harbor

Glacier Peak at Lynnwood

Aaron Swaney’s picks

Winners

Monroe at Edmonds-Woodway

Jackson at Marysville Pilchuck

Cedarcrest at Renton

South Whidbey at Bellingham

Lakeside at King’s

Mariner at Arlington

Inglemoor at Snohomish

Meadowdale at Shorecrest

Ellensburg at Archbishop Murphy

Cascade at Lake Stevens

Port Townsend at Coupeville

Stanwood at Kamiak

Shorewood at Everett

Lakewood at Prairie

Mountlake Terrace at Oak Harbor

Glacier Peak at Lynnwood