It’s already the midway point of the Snohomish County high school football season.
The third week of Wesco’s abbreviated five-week football slate takes place Friday night, highlighted by several matchups between some of the area’s top programs.
Here’s a preview of the week’s top games and a complete schedule of every local contest, along with staff picks. Click on the matchup to access the game’s streaming link:
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Glacier Peak at Archbishop Murphy
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Archbishop Murphy H.S.
The skinny: Two weeks after facing Wesco 4A juggernaut Lake Stevens, perennial Class 2A power Archbishop Murphy takes on another one of the area’s top 4A programs. This is the first-ever football meeting between these two schools, which are separated by just 2 1/2 miles.
About the Grizzlies: Glacier Peak opened its season with convincing victories over both of last season’s Wesco 3A title game participants. The Grizzlies rolled to a 35-7 win over Marysville Pilchuck in their opener and then continued their dominance of crosstown rival Snohomish with a 35-10 win last week. Two-way standout running back Ryan Black has totaled 282 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, including a pair of electrifying long TD runs last week. Tyson Lang, a University of Washington preferred walk-on, has completed 73.7% of his passes for 466 yards, five TDs and no interceptions. Glacier Peak’s defense has allowed just 8.5 points and 268.5 yards per game.
About the Wildcats: After opening the season with a 26-7 loss to perennial powerhouse Lake Stevens, Archbishop Murphy rebounded last week with a 35-6 win over Meadowdale. The Wildcats held the Mavericks scoreless until the fourth quarter and limited them to just 129 total yards and 3.5 yards per play, including a mere 19 yards rushing on 28 attempts. It was the second consecutive strong performance from Archbishop Murphy’s defense, which is led by University of Virginia-bound defensive end Josh McCarron. In their opener, the Wildcats held Lake Stevens’ high-powered attack scoreless until midway through the third quarter and limited the Vikings to one of their lowest point totals in recent years.
Herald pick: Glacier Peak
Arlington at Marysville Pilchuck
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Quil Ceda Stadium
The skinny: This is a rematch of last year’s de facto Wesco 3A North title game, which Marysville Pilchuck won 42-14 in commanding fashion. These league rivals have split their last 10 meetings.
About the Eagles: After suffering a 14-0 shutout loss to Monroe in its season opener, Arlington rebounded last week with a 17-14 win over archrival Stanwood in the annual Stilly Cup. The Eagles held the Spartans scoreless in the first half and added a defensive score in the fourth quarter. Stanwood drove to the Arlington 25-yard line with less than 1:30 to play, but the Eagles recovered a late fumble to preserve their three-point lead and seal the victory.
About the Tomahawks: After a 35-7 loss to Glacier Peak in its season opener, Marysville Pilchuck bounced back with a 49-21 win over rival Marysville Getchell last week. Dylan Carson ran for 243 yards and five TDs on just 14 carries, including long scoring runs of 74, 46 and 33 yards. Through two games, the junior running back has totaled 394 yards rushing at a clip of 10.1 yards per carry for the defending Wesco 3A champions.
Herald pick: Marysville Pilchuck
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium
The skinny: Seven-time defending Wesco 4A champion Lake Stevens takes on two-time defending Wesco 3A South champion Snohomish. It’s the old-time rivals’ first matchup since 2015, back when they were Wesco 4A foes.
About the Vikings: After opening the season with a 26-7 win over 2A power Archbishop Murphy, Lake Stevens continued its dominance of longtime rival Monroe with a 40-0 rout last week. Through two games, Jay Roughton has rushed for 274 yards and four TDs, while averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Gabe Ramsey has totaled 12 catches for 244 yards and one TD. Drew Carter also has been a force at receiver, with four catches for 137 yards last week. The Vikings’ stingy defense has allowed just seven points combined through two games and has limited opponents to 177.5 yards per contest and 4.0 yards per play.
About the Panthers: Snohomish opened the season with a 41-0 win over Mariner, but fell 35-10 to Glacier Peak in last week’s annual crosstown rivalry game. The Panthers trailed just 14-10 at halftime, but gave up two quick touchdowns early in the second half as the Grizzlies pulled away. Snohomish finished with just 226 total yards and 3.0 yards per play against Glacier Peak’s strong defense. Through two games, Joshua Vandergriend leads the Panthers with 201 yards rushing and two TDs.
Herald pick: Lake Stevens
OTHER LOCAL GAMES
5 p.m. Friday at Edmonds Stadium
Herald pick: Edmonds-Woodway
6 p.m. Friday at Lakewood H.S.
Herald pick: Lakewood
6 p.m. Friday at Everett Memorial Stadium
Herald pick: Cascade
6 p.m. Friday at Goddard Stadium
Herald pick: Kamiak
Mountlake Terrace vs. Shorecrest
6 p.m. Friday at Shoreline Stadium
Herald pick: Shorecrest
7 p.m. Friday at Monroe H.S.
Herald pick: Monroe
Marysville Getchell at Cedarcrest
7 p.m. Friday at Cedarcrest H.S.
Herald pick: Marysville Getchell
7 p.m. Friday at King’s H.S.
Herald pick: King’s
7 p.m. Friday at South Whidbey H.S.
Herald pick: Sultan
8 p.m. Friday at Edmonds Stadium
Herald pick: Meadowdale
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