Two local prep football teams are ending lengthy postseason droughts.
Everett travels to face Garfield in a winner-to-state game Saturday, which will be the Seagulls’ first Week 10 playoff appearance since 2010.
Stanwood travels to face top-ranked Eastside Catholic in another Saturday winner-to-state contest. It will be the Spartans’ first trip to the district-crossover round since 2009.
Both teams have endured rough stretches in recent years.
Everett suffered through three consecutive one-win seasons from 2012 to 2014 prior to the arrival of coach Doug Trainor, who guided the Seagulls to back-to-back five-win campaigns the past two years.
Everett (7-2) has taken the next step this season, earning a postseason berth after placing second in the Wesco 3A South. The Seagulls have won five consecutive games by an average of 26 points per contest.
“They’re seeing the fruit of their labors,” Trainor said of his players. “They’ve worked really hard to get to this point, and they’re seeing the hard work pay off.”
Stanwood (5-5) has reached five wins this season for the first time since 2006. The Spartans finished fourth in the Wesco 3A North and beat Meadowdale in a Tuesday play-in game to end their postseason drought.
“It’s exciting for the players and the community and the school,” third-year Stanwood coach Eric Keizer said. “It’s been a long time coming.
“(The players) did a good job of working hard and grinding and getting us to where we are today.”
Below are capsules for Saturday’s Week 10 playoff games involving local teams. The winners advance to the 16-team Class 3A state playoffs. The losers are eliminated. All recruiting rankings are according to 247Sports.
CLASS 3A
EVERETT at GARFIELD
When: 6 p.m., Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium (Seattle)
Everett: 7-2 overall, 5-1 conference; 2nd in Wesco 3A South
About the Seagulls: Everett is making its first district-playoff appearance since 2010 and is seeking its first trip to state since 2005. Since a blowout loss to eighth-ranked Edmonds-Woodway, the Seagulls have won five straight games by an average of 26 points per contest. Junior running back Christian Balmer leads Everett’s flexbone rushing attack with 967 yards and 11 touchdowns in eight games.
Garfield: 3-5 overall; 2-3 conference; 4th in Metro League’s Mountain division
About the Bulldogs: Garfield took fourth place in the Metro League’s Mountain division — the highest of three tiers within the 16-team league. The Bulldogs feature four of the state’s top 40 senior recruits. Garfield’s top-end talent is highlighted by receiver Tre’Shaun Harrison, a University of Oregon commit who is ranked as the No. 2 overall senior recruit in the state. The Bulldogs are seeking their first state berth since 1979.
Herald pick: Garfield
STANWOOD at No. 1 EASTSIDE CATHOLIC
When: 3 p.m., Saturday
Where: Eastside Catholic H.S.
Stanwood: 5-5 overall, 3-3 conference; 4th in Wesco 3A North
About the Spartans: Stanwood beat Meadowdale 30-9 in a play-in game Tuesday to reach the district-crossover round for the first time since 2009. Senior running back Tyler Rich has rushed for 1,051 yards and nine touchdowns this season, including 176 yards and two scores in the play-in victory. After allowing 37.2 points per game last year, the Spartans are yielding just 22.4 points per contest this season. Stanwood is seeking its first state berth since 1996.
Eastside Catholic: 8-0 overall, 5-0 conference; 1st in Metro League’s Mountain division
About the Crusaders: Perennial powerhouse Eastside Catholic has reached the state semifinals each of the past five seasons. The Crusaders advanced to four consecutive state-title games from 2012 to 2015, winning back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2015. Eastside Catholic has outscored opponents by 25.4 points per game this season. The Crusaders feature three of the top 25 senior recruits in the state.
Herald pick: Eastside Catholic
SEATTLE PREP at No. 9 OAK HARBOR
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Where: Oak Harbor H.S.
Seattle Prep: 4-5 overall, 1-4 conference; 5th in Metro League’s Mountain division
About the Panthers: Seattle Prep beat Chief Sealth 33-8 in a Metro League playoff game last week to reach the Week 10 playoffs. The Panthers are seeking their third state berth since 1991.
Oak Harbor: 8-1 overall, 5-1 conference; 2nd in Wesco 3A North
About the Wildcats: Oak Harbor allows just 14 points per game and has held four opponents to seven points or less. Senior fullback Mackenzie Nuanez leads the Wildcats’ high-powered Wing-T rushing attack with 947 yards and 13 touchdowns. Oak Harbor’s lone loss was a one-point overtime defeat to third-ranked Ferndale. The Wildcats are seeking their third trip to state since winning the 4A state title in 2006.
Herald pick: Oak Harbor
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