For a preview of the Wesco 3A North football season, including a coaches poll and key storylines, click here.
ARLINGTON EAGLES
Last season: 3-7, 2-5 in conference play
Coach: Greg Dailer (10th season)
Key players: Payton Bastien, sr., OL/LB; Cooper Cummings, sr., WR/DB; Gabriel Green, sr., RB/LB/P; Jacob Hubbard, sr., WR/LB; Campbell Hudson, sr., WR/DB; Michael Van Beek, sr., OL/DL; Anthony Whitis, jr., QB
Outlook: Arlington suffered through some growing pains last season after returning just five starters from its 2015 squad that won the Wesco 3A North title. The young Eagles were competitive last year but had three single-digit losses, including a one-point loss to Oak Harbor and a four-point loss to Snohomish in a district play-in game. With more experience under their belts and the return of standout two-way lineman Michael Van Beek, the Eagles look to improve on last season’s win total and climb up the league standings.
FERNDALE GOLDEN EAGLES
Last season: 9-2, 5-1 in conference play (lost in first round of state playoffs)
Coach: Jamie Plenkovich (14th season)
Key players: Geirean Hatchett, soph., OL/DL; James Hinson, sr., QB/DB; Watiko Leighton, jr., WR/DB; Cole Semu, sr., RB/DB; Mikhail Varetsky, sr., OL/DL
Outlook: Former Northwest Conference power Ferndale excelled during its first season in the Wesco 3A North last fall, taking second place and outscoring conference opponents by 28.5 points per game. Ferndale lost star running backs Ben Broselle and Justice Powell, leaving senior Cole Semu as the lone returnee from last year’s dynamic Wing-T rushing trio. Semu will run behind a strong offensive line that includes two-way standout Mikhail Varetsky and 6-foot-4, 250-pound sophomore Geirran Hatchett. Senior quarterback James Hinson returns for his third season under center, looking to guide the Golden Eagles to their second consecutive state-playoff appearance.
MARYSVILLE GETCHELL CHARGERS
Last season: 2-8, 0-6 in conference play
Coach: Davis Lura (seventh season)
Key players: Majenta Adams, jr., WR/LB; Brad Engelman, sr., OL/DL; Nate Johnson, sr., OL/DL; Ryan King, jr., WR/LB; Caleb Koellmer, jr., QB; Trey Padgett, jr., WR/DB; Dylan Rice, jr., WR/DB; Ian Roskelly, sr., WR/DB
Outlook: After back-to-back 5-5 seasons in 2012 and 2013 — the program’s second and third seasons of existence — the Chargers have suffered through three consecutive losing seasons. Marysville Getchell will look to be competitive this fall after losing all six conference games last year by 21 points or more.
MARYSVILLE PILCHUCK TOMAHAWKS
Last season: 3-7, 2-4 in conference play
Coach: Brandon Carson (11th season)
Key players: Kee-an Ballard, sr., QB; Trenton Hurst, jr., RB; Cade Tucker, jr., OL
Outlook: After five state-playoff appearances in six years from 2009 to 2014 — capped by a state-semifinal run — the Tomahawks have suffered through two consecutive losing seasons. Senior quarterback Kee-an Ballard and junior running back Trenton Hurst key an offense that’s looking to improve after averaging just 15.3 points per game last season in conference play.
OAK HARBOR WILDCATS
Last season: 7-3, 4-2 in conference play
Coach: Jay Turner (10th season)
Key players: Jordan Bell, sr., QB; Isaac Gomez, sr., OL/LB; Taeson Hardin, sr., RB/DB; Tamarik Hollis-Passmore, sr., RB/DB; Ozell Jackson, sr., OL/DL; Kyle Nickols, sr., WR/LB; Mackenzie Nuanez, sr., RB/DL; Weston Whitefoot, sr., OL/LB
Outlook: After the graduation of bruising running back Princeton Lollar Jr. — the area’s third-leading rusher last season — seniors Taeson Hardin and Tamarik Hollins-Passmore take the reins of Oak Harbor’s Wing-T rushing attack. The speedy running-back duo, which combined for more than 1,400 yards rushing last year, looks to carry the Wildcats back to the state playoffs after they fell one win short each of the past two seasons.
SQUALICUM STORM
Last season: 10-1, 6-0 in conference play (lost in first round of state playoffs)
Coach: Nick Lucey (fourth season)
Key players: Jose Hernandez, sr., WR/DB; Kollin Johnson, sr., OL/DL; Brian Pullman, sr., TE/LB; William Russell, sr., OL/DL; Triston Smith, sr., RB/CB
Outlook: Former Northwest Conference power Squalicum claimed the Wesco 3A North title last year during its inaugural season in the conference, going unbeaten in league play and beating league foes by an average of 30.3 points per game. The Storm lost quarterback Garrett Sorensen and standout receivers Ben Peterson and Damek Mitchell from an offense that scored 45.4 points per game last season. But Squalicum returns speedy running back Triston Smith, who avereaged 11.3 yards per carry last season and looks to guide the Storm to a fourth consecutive state-playoff appearance.
STANWOOD SPARTANS
Last season: 3-7, 2-4 in conference play
Coach: Erik Keizer (third season)
Key players: Nathan Lynn, sr., OL/DL; Tyler Rich, sr., RB/LB, Trygve DeBoer, sr., WR/DB; Karl DeBoer, sr., QB; Aaron Weaver, sr., OL/DL; Trevor Beckt, sr., OL/DL; Wyatt Tayon, jr., OL/DL; Gavin Schweitzer, sr., WR/DL; Nick Deline, sr., RB/LB
Outlook: The Spartans return senior quarterback Karl DeBoer, who set the school’s single-season record for completions last year but will look to cut down on his 19 interceptions. Also back are the team’s top two receivers from last season — seniors Gavin Schweitzer and Trygve DeBoer. Stanwood is looking to end a streak of 10 consecutive losing seasons.
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