59-0.
The numbers hang in the air and when it’s brought up in conversation with a room full of Stanwood football players it evokes a lot of groans and hanging of heads.
For the unitiated that was the score that the Arlington Eagles posted on the Spartans last year in the Stilly Cup and it’s hard to forget. Arlington scored touchdowns on all seven possessions of the first half and Eagles quarterback Blake McPherson threw for 269 yards and six touchdowns and ran for another, all in the first half.
“The score was the biggest thing,” said lineman Travis Jones. “We played very bad against a very good team that had a very good day.”
This year the roles are a bit reversed. The Eagles, who had a high-flying, senior-laden offense last year, now finds themselves trying to find their footing after an 0-2 start. Stanwood, meanwhile, is off to a 2-0 start that includes a dramatic 24-22 win over Mount Vernon last week.
For an idea of just how wild Friday’s win over Mount Vernon was, click here
Tonight’s Stilly Cup game at John C. Larson Stadium on the campus of Arlington H.S. was voted The Herald’s Game of the Week by fans.
A big reason for the Spartans turnaround has been first-year head coach Doug Trainor, who has the Spartans believing. The players have taken notice just two games into the season.
“Nobody gives up,” Stanwood lineman Kyle O’Donnell said of the main difference between last year and this year.
The Stanwood players said there hasn’t been much trash talking this week leading up to the game, in part because they feel they’re just getting started.
“We can’t get over our heads,” said Brian O’Donnell.
“We haven’t really done anything yet,” added Kyle O’Donnell.
So what would a Stilly Cup victory mean for the Spartans.
“Fifty-nine to zero,” Kyle O’Donnell said.
STANWOOD vs. ARLINGTON
Where: John C. Larson Stadium
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Stanwood (2-0 overall); Arlington (0-2)
Key players: Stanwood—Kyle O’Donnell, Sr., OL/DL; Brian O’Donnell, Sr., TE/LB; Jake Campbell, Sr., WR; Kyle Strachan, Sr., RB. Arlington—Skylor Elgarico, Sr., RB/WR/DB; John Decker, Sr., RB; Austin Wells, Jr., QB; A.J. Passalacqua, Sr., QB.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM); KAPS (660 AM)
Twitter: @krueger_david
The pick: Stanwood 31, Arlington 10
EDMONDS-WOODWAY vs. MEADOWDALE
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: 8 p.m.
Records: Edmonds-Woodway (2-0 overall); Meadowdale (2-0)
Breakdown: Both of these teams had little trouble last week Edmonds-Woodway, ranked No. 10 in 4A iin the first Associated Press poll, beat Mountlake Terrace 48-29 but lost star running back Desmond Young to a hamstring injury near the end of the first half. Young was limited in practice this week but should be able to play tonight. Meadowdale is ranked No. 5 after throttling Inglemoor 36-9 on Thursday night last week.
Key players: Edmonds-Woodway—Desmond Young, Sr., RB/DB; Davis Giles, Jr., QB; Matt Cuzzetto, Sr., WR/DB; Travis Bakken, Jr., TE/DL; Theo Lebesis, Jr., TE/LB.
Webcast: www.myedmondsnews.com/warrior-radio; gametimenorthwest.com
Twitter: @heraldnetpreps
The pick: Meadowdale 24, Edmonds-Woodway 20
JACKSON vs. GLACIER PEAK
Where: Snohomish Veterans Memorial Stadium
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Jackson (2-0 overall); Glacier Peak (2-0)
Breakdown: Both offenses for the Timberwolves and Grizzlies have come out like a house on fire this season. Glacier Peak, which is ranked No. 9 in 3A in the first AP poll, and Jackson are each averaging 42.5 points per game and both team’s quarterbacks, Conor Plaisance for Jackson and Chris Becerra for Glacier Peak, have thrown for seven and eight touchdowns, respectively. This will be a high scoring affair and a great show for anyone who loves to watch teams sling the football around the entire field.
Key players: Glacier Peak—Sean Elledge, Sr., WR/DB; Quinton Dunbar, Sr., RB/WR/LB; Chris Becerra, Sr., QB; Nate Sandstrom, Sr., OT. Jackson—Conor Plaisance, Sr., QB; Larry Baker-Bruce, Sr., RB/WR/DB; Keynan Foster, So., WR/DB; Trey Robinson, Jr., WR/DB.
Radio: KXA (1520)
Webcast: stspn.com
Twitter:@aaronlommers
The pick: Glacier Peak 42, Jackson 37
LAKE STEVENS at OAK HARBOR
Where: Wildcat Memorial Stadium
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Lake Stevens (1-1 overall); Oak Harbor (2-0)
Breakdown: Lake Stevens rebounded after tough opener to throttle Marysville Pilchuck 45-21 last week and may have figured out its quarterback rotation in the process. Both Gavin O’Neil and Jacob Eason split time behind center as the Vikings threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. Oak Harbor kept its season rolling with a 36-15 win over Arlington. After JoJo Webster had a big game in Week 1, it was Fred Webster’s turn to run wild against the Eagles, going for 162 yards and three touchdowns.
Key players: Oak Harbor—Ian Kolste, Sr., QB; Dayne Herron, Sr., OT/DT; Jeremy Foster, Sr., OT/DT; Isaiah Trower, Sr., RB/DB; JoJo Webster, Sr., WR/DB; Fred Webster, Sr., RB/DB. Lake Stevens—Andrew Elgaen, Sr., TE/LB; Conner Coleman, Sr., WR/DB; Gavin O’Neil, Jr., QB; Brandon Johnson, Sr., G/DT; Carey Campbell, Sr., TE/DE.
Webcast: soundsportsnet.com
Twitter: @heraldnetpreps
The pick: Oak Harbor 26, Lake Stevens 23
BLAINE vs. LAKEWOOD
Where: Lakewood H.S.
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Blaine (2-0 overall); Lakewood (2-0)
Breakdown: Lakewood set itself up with a pretty tough slate to open the season. After dismantling previously-ranked Washington in the opener, the Cougars swept aside Meridian last week. This week they get the fourth-ranked team in 1A, Blaine. The Borderites are led by big running back Mario Gobbato, who 284 yards and four touchdowns last week against a team from British Columbia, Canada. Lakewood’s offense, led by quarterback Justin Peterson and running back Donovan Evans, hasn’t missed a beat since last year.
Key players: Lakewood—Justin Peterson, Sr., QB/WR/DB; Donovan Evans, Sr., RB; Brandon Stott, Sr., WR; Dylan Donahue, So., T/DE. Blaine—Mario Gobbato, Sr., RB/DB; Nathan Kramme, So., QB; Jon Fakkema, Sr., OL/DL; Palmer Sandel, Sr., OL/DL.
The pick: Lakewood 37, Blaine 28
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE vs. LYNNWOOD
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: 5 p.m.
Records: Mountlake Terrace (0-2 overall); Lynnwood (1-1)
Breakdown: These two Edmonds School District rivals need tonight’s game if they want to turn around their season. Mountlake Terrace couldn’t get much going offensively on opening night in a loss to Stanwood and couldn’t keep up in last week’s loss to Edmonds-Woodway. Lynnwood, meanwhile, opened up with a nice win over Shorecrest but then fell flat in last week’s loss to Shorewood.
Key players: Mountlake Terrace—Devante Downs, Jr., RB; Mason Stone, Sr., WR/DB; Beau Kennedy, Sr., QB; Quintin Barnard, Sr., WR/DB. Lynnwood—Andrew Basham, Sr., OL/DL; Jordan Drew, Sr., RB/LB; Morgan Skelton, Sr., QB/DB; Ezekiel King, Jr., OL/DL.
The pick: Mountlake Terrace 26, Lynnwood 19
OTHER GAMES
Nonleague—Manson at Darrington, 5 p.m.; Mount Vernon at Burlington-Edison, Snohomish at Marysville Pilchuck, Marysville Getchell vs. Shorewood at Shoreline Stadium, Mariner at Monroe, Shorecrest vs. Kamiak at Goddard Stadium, Coupeville at Lynden Christian, Cascade vs. Everett at Everett Memorial Stadium, Granite Falls at South Whidbey, Cedarcrest at Sultan, 7 p.m.
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