Wow! What a way to start the season.
Most teams in most leagues have one or more non-league games to start the year. They can afford those first-game jitters.
But teams in the Western Conference open with important division contests, often games that ultimately decide championships and/or postseason berths.
Wesco South teams play league games from start to finish, while eight of the nine North squads begin with league contests.
That’s rough.
Not everyone is ready to play a critical contest so early. Guys who might be key performers later in the season have yet to emerge. Players who are plugging holes left by graduation may not have acquired the polish they’ll have at midseason.
Depth and coaching ultimately will make the difference.
With that in mind, here is a look at some of today’s key matchups.
Marysville-Pilchuck at Cascade
Kickoff: 5 p.m. today at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Last year: The M-P defense held Cascade to 148 yards, half of which came on J.P. Oliver’s 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of a 13-7 season-opening win. M-P back Marquis Moses made his varsity debut, rushing for 145 yards and two TDs.
Players to watch: Oliver and Moses. Moses led the North Division in rushing during the 2004 regular season with 1,366 yards. Oliver, who had 702 yards on 88 carries, has put on 30 pounds and will move to fullback, becoming the focus of the Bruins’ wing-T attack.
Breaking down the game: M-P graduated the majority of those linemen, on offense and defense, who were responsible for springing Moses last year and for stuffing the Cascade running and passing games. The Tomahawks had three sacks and held Cascade to minus yardage on seven of 24 rushing attempts. Can they duplicate that effort with new personnel? Moses is a known quantity now, as well. The winner gets a head start in the race to the playoffs, but I think both teams will be there at the end.
Little-known fact: Oliver kept the Bruins in last year’s game by stopping Moses just shy of the line on a fourth-and-goal play.
John McDonald’s pick: Cascade 21-20. Mike Cane’s pick: Cascade, 24-20.
Kamiak at Meadowdale
Kickoff: 5 p.m. today at Edmonds Stadium.
Last year: Kamiak receiver Rebel Hall caught a 19-yard touchdown pass with one minute to play to give the Knights an 11-7 win.
Players to watch: Hall returns for the Knights. He is the top returning receiver in the South Division with 652 yards on 54 catches last season. Running back Kevin Kim and tight end Alex Romanyuk are two to watch in Meadowdale’s new-look offense.
Breaking down the game: This has been an intense rivalry the past two years, with Kamiak winning on a last-minute TD pass in regulation last year and taking a 28-25 overtime decision two years ago. Both teams graduated scads of talent. Kamiak lost the division’s top quarterback (Mark Iddins). Meadowdale lost the top receiver (Jake Linton). But Kamiak has reached re-load rather than re-build status. I’m not sure Meadowdale is there yet.
Little-known fact: Hall caught 10 passes for 119 yards in last year’s game.
John McDonald’s pick: Kamiak, 28-7. Mike Cane’s pick: Kamiak, 35-17.
Marin Catholic at Archbishop Murphy
Kickoff: 7 p.m. today at Archbishop Murphy H.S.
Players to watch: Archbishop Murphy returns its top two rushers: Stan Smith (1,694 yards) and Shiloh Keo (1,271). Marin Catholic, also a wing-T team, counters with a returning quarterback, Cam Taylor, and running back, Juno Grayson.
Breaking down the game: It’s hard to predict what’ll happen when teams play out-of-state opponents. We know Murphy’s record includes consecutive Class 1A state titles in 2002 and 2003 and a run to the 2A semifinals in 2004. Marin has had similar success, going 23-3 over the past two seasons and losing in last year’s sectional championship game. I believe Murphy has two advantages: The Wildcats are playing at home and they return their leading rushers while Marin’s graduated.
Little-known fact: Smith is a fourth-year starter for the Wildcats.
John McDonald’s pick: Murphy, 21-14. Mike Cane’s pick: Murphy, 28-14.
Other games tonight
Wesco North: Arlington at Snohomish, Stanwood at Monroe (Monroe Stadium), Mount Vernon at Lake Stevens, 7 p.m.
Wesco South: Lynnwood at Mariner (Goddard Stadium), Everett at Shorecrest (Shoreline Stadium), Shorewood at Jackson (Everett Memorial Stadium), 7 p.m.; Edmonds-Woodway at Mountlake Terrace (Edmonds Stadium), 8 p.m.
Non-conference: Nathan Hale at Cedarcrest, 5:30 p.m.; Forks at Friday Harbor, Blaine at Coupeville, 6 p.m.; Vashon at Sultan, Cleveland at King’s, Port Townsend at South Whidbey, Cedar Park Christian at Rainier, Washington at Lakewood, 7 p.m.; Sehome at Oak Harbor (Memorial Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
Games Saturday
Non-conference: Deer Park at La Conner, noon; Orcas Island at Snohomish sophs, 2 p.m.; Marysville-Pilchuck sophs at Darrington, 7 p.m.; Granite Falls at Highline, 7:30 p.m.
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