Wesco Games to Watch this season

Published 9:16 am Wednesday, September 1, 2010

WESCO SOUTH GAMES TO WATCH

Lake Stevens at Cascade

Sept. 3, 5 p.m. at Everett Memorial Stadium

First-year Cascade head coach Nick Clovsky makes his debut in this season-opening, non-league battle. Can Cascade, which scrapped its Wing-T offense in favor of offensive balance, hang with high-powered Lake Stevens?

Everett at Cascade

Sept. 10, 7 p.m. at Everett Memorial Stadium

Sure, it won’t count in the league standings but Cascade always gets hyped up to play its cross-town rival. An interesting wrinkle: new Cascade head coach Nick Clovsky was an assistant wrestling coach at Everett the past five years.

Jackson at Edmonds-Woodway

Oct. 1, 8 p.m. at Edmonds Stadium

E-W and Jackson were picked first and second, respectively, in The Herald’s South preseason coaches’ poll. If Jackson wins the Timberwolves will take a huge step toward winning their third straight division championship.

Skyline at Jackson

Oct. 15, 5 p.m. at Everett Memorial Stadium

Two-time defending South Division champ Jackson takes on nationally ranked Skyline, which has won three consecutive state titles. Skyline’s marquee player is University of Washington recruit Kasen Williams, an ultra-athletic wide receiver.

Mariner at Kamiak

Oct. 15, 7 p.m. at Goddard Stadium

The second-to-last league game for both teams, this Mukilteo School District rivalry clash has extra significance. The winner might secure a playoff spot while the loser could get knocked out of contention.

WESCO NORTH GAMES TO WATCH

Marysville-Pilchuck at Arlington

Friday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m.

The Tomahawks, returning just two starters on each side of the ball, face an Arlington team that just missed the playoffs in 2009. Will the Eagles remain healthy enough to make a playoff push? This mid-season showdown could be a predictor.

Snohomish at Monroe

Friday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.

This Week Five test could turn out to be a good measuring point for both programs heading into the final three games of the season.

Stanwood at Arlington

Friday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.

The annual Stilly Cup, an intense rivalry between the Spartans and Eagles. Stanwood has won the last two by close margins.

Lake Stevens at Marysville-Pilchuck

Friday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.

What better time to pit the Nos. 1 and 2 picks to win the conference against each other than the penultimate week of the regular season.

Stanwood at Lake Stevens

Friday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m.

Will Stanwood be in the playoff hunt this time around? The Spartans edged Arlington out of the 4A quad-district playoffs last season with a third-place finish. The final game of the regular season could decide Stanwood’s postseason fate.

WESCO 3A GAMES TO WATCH

Mountlake Terrace vs. Oak Harbor

Friday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m.

Two new Wesco 3A members square-off against each other in the season opener. Terrace, which made its first postseason appearance in the school’s 50-year history last season, is out to prove last year wasn’t a fluke.

Glacier Peak at Oak Harbor

Friday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m.

The Wildcats welcome conference-favorite Glacier Peak to Oak Harbor in the second week. Grizzlies wide receiver Tanner Southard noted the matchup with Oak Harbor as one in which he’s particularly excited to play.

Everett vs. Cascade

Friday, Sept. 10

A heated rivalry renewed. What else is there to say? Everett and Cascade have split the last four match-ups with Cascade taking a 14-9 win last season.

Meadowdale at Glacier Peak

Friday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.

Glacier Peak and Meadowdale were picked by Wesco 3A coaches as the two top teams in the league this season. A Week Five game should see both teams hitting their stride.

Everett vs. Glacier Peak

Friday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.

The final game of the regular season could prove to be very pivotal for these programs. Everett, picked third in the coaches’ poll, might be fighting for a postseason spot.