Click on one of the links below to jump to a specific team:
Arlington
Lake Stevens
Marysville Pilchuck
Monroe
Snohomish
Stanwood
Games to watch
Arlington Eagles
Last season: 4-1 in conference play, 8-3 overall (lost to Bellarmine Prep in first round of state playoffs)
Outlook: Coach Greg Dailer says the Eagles are once again hoping to compete for a league title. The test will be if Arlington can replace what it lost at offensive line, linebacker and cornerback. The Eagles graduated four starters on the offensive line, two time All-League middle linebacker Blake Peterson and both starting cornerbacks from a year ago. Dailer said the team’s success will depend on the seniors’ ability to become leaders and the development of young players.
Impact players: Blake McPherson, Sr, QB, 6’0″, 180; Bo Brummel, Sr., TE/LB, 6’3″, 220; Colten Hordyk, Sr., RB/FS 5’10”, 160; Lucas Revelle, Sr. DL/LB 6’2″, 200
Fresh faces: Terry Dawn, Jr., WR/OLB, 6’2″, 185; Hugh Duffy, So., OL/DL, 6’2″, 190.
Returning starters: Offense, 5; defense, 6
Schedule: Sept. 2 at home against Mariner; Sept. 9 at Jackson; Sept. 16 at home against Ferndale; Sept. 23 at Marysville Pilchuck; Sept. 30 at home against Lake Stevens; Oct. 7 at Stanwood; Oct. 14 at home against Monroe; Oct. 21 at Snohomish.
Coach’s comment: “We are hoping to compete for another league title, but we lost a solid O-line and some other key players, so we know we will have an uphill battle. If our seniors lead and our youth develops like we think they will, then we will be very competitive.” — Greg Dailer, Arlington coach in fourth season
Lake Stevens Vikings
Last season: 3-2 in conference play, 7-3 overall (lost in quad-district playoff to Curtis)
Outlook: Coach Tom Tri says the Vikings players have had a good offseason in the weight room and at summer team camp. He says with strong leadership and chemistry that the team can be a contender In the Wesco North once again. The Vikings return several players at the skill positions, but have to rebuild the offensive line this year. Overall team speed should be one of the team’s strengths.
Impact players: Jake Nelson, Sr., QB, 6’2″, 190; Cody Tupen, Sr., OL/DE, 6’2″, 240; Korey Young, Sr., MLB, 6’1″, 212; Christian Gasca, Sr., WR/DB, 5’11”, 175 .
Fresh faces: Devin Guy, Sr., OL/DL, 6’3″, 235; Carey Campbell, Jr., OL/DL, 6’2″, 235.
Returning starters: Offense, 5; defense 5.
Schedule: Sept. 2 at home against Cascade; Sept. 9 at home against Kamiak; Sept. 16 at Inglemoor; Sept. 23 at home against Snohomish; Sept. 30 at Arlington; Oct. 7 at Monroe; Oct. 14 at home against Marysville Pilchuck; Oct. 21 at Stanwood.
Coach’s comment: “We have a strong senior class. As long as we come together well and jell as a team, we should have a successful year.” — Tom Tri, Lake Stevens coach in 7th season
Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks
Last season: 3-2 in conference play, 7-4 overall (lost to Issaquah is first round of state playoffs)
Outlook: The Tomahawks have great depth on their defensive line and at running back. Conversely, the concerns are trying to replace the entire offensive line and being young at a few other positions. Look for MP to start more underclassmen than it has in the past. In order to be successful those younger kids will have to step up in 2011.
Impact Players: Cody House, Sr., RB/DB, 5’11”, 175; Spencer Cynkar, Sr., RB/DT, 5’6″, 165; Jordan Hoorn, Jr., ILB, 5’10”, 225; Andre Tina, Sr., RB/DB, 5’9″, 175.
Fresh faces: Dylan Hanson, Jr., OL/DL, 6’2″, 210; Jake Luton, So., QB, 6’5″, 200.
Returning starters: Offense, 3; defense, 6
Schedule: Sept. 2 at home against Jackson; Sept. 9 at home against Edmonds-Woodway; Sept. 16 at Cascade; Sept. 23 at home against Arlington; Sept. 30 at Stanwood; Oct. 7 at home against Snohomish; Oct. 14 at Lake Stevens; Oct. 21 at Monroe.
Coach’s Comment: “For us to be successful we really need to come together on the offensive line. Defensively, the line should be our strength and we have quite a few starters coming back. We are hoping to be a better defense this year than we were last year.” — Brandon Carson, Marysville Pilchuck coach in fifth season
Monroe Bearcats
Last season: 3-2 in conference play, 3-7 overall
Outlook: The Bearcats lost some talented players last year and have some big holes to fill this season. First-year coach Dick Abrams says if the offensive and defensive lines can rise to the challenge, the Bearcats can have a great year, hopefully competing for a playoff spot and a league championship.
Impact players: Miguel Floresca-Cravens, Sr., WR/DB, 5’10”, 170; Jordan Moore, Sr., RB/LB, 6’1″, 190; Tory James, Sr., WR/DB, 6’1″, 185; Ryan Jensen, Sr,. OL/DL, 6’3″, 220.
Fresh faces: Mitchell Price, Jr., QB/DB, 6’1″, 175; Dylan Judson, Jr., TE/LB, 6’3″, 215.
Returning starters: Offense, 5; defense, 5
Schedule: Sept. 2 at Edmonds-Woodway; Sept. 9 at home against Woodinville; Sept. 16 at Kamiak; Sept. 23 at home against Stanwood; Sept. 30 at Snohomish; Oct. 7 at home against Lake Stevens; Oct. 14 at Arlington; Oct. 21 at home against Marysville Pilchuck
Coach’s Comment: “Our number one priority is to improve defensively. We will be tested early against a very tough nonconference schedule.” — Dick Abrams, Monroe coach in first season
Snohomish Panthers
Last season: 1-4 in conference play, 3-7 overall
Outlook: The Panthers may have had a disappointing 2010 season in terms of record, but those players gained experience and most are back this year. In fact, the Panthers have more returners than ever before. More than half of the team’s defensive starters are back and head coach Mark Perry says the defense should show improvement. Perry says the team’s early practices have gone quite well and that players are eager to start the season. With the talent and speed the Panthers possess, Perry said they could challenge for a playoff spot.
Impact players: Jordan Holland, Sr., RB/LB, 5’10”, 185; Darian Caldwell, Sr., OL/DL, 6’5″, 280; Hunter Yeagley, Sr., OL/DL, 6’4″, 225; Collin Shelton, Jr., K/P, 5’11”, 190.
Fresh faces: Peter St. Marie, Jr., RB/LB, 6’0″, 190; Sammy Sahlinger, Sr., OL/LB, 5’10”, 215; Travis Williams, Sr., OL/DL, 6’4″, 320.
Returning starters: Offense, 7; defense, 8
Schedule: Sept. 2 at home against Inglemoor; Sept. 9 at Eastlake; Sept. 16 at Jackson; Sept. 23 at Lake Stevens; Sept. 30 at home against Monroe; Oct. 7 at Marysville Pilchuck; Oct. 14 at home against Stanwood; Oct. 21 at home against Arlington.
Coach’s comment: “The Panther players and staff have worked hard to prepare for the season. We will miss seniors from last year like (Eric) Koenig and (Nolan) Shilling, but with our large number of returning starters we will be a much improved team. Our overall speed and ability will help our players challenge for a playoff spot.” — Mark Perry, Snohomish coach in seventeenth season
Stanwood Spartans
Last season: 1-4 in conference play, 3-7 overall
Outlook: The Spartans will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2010 season. With several returners at key positions, such as quarterback, running back and wide receiver, head coach Aaron Cupp says they have the ability to do just that. The skill positions are strong and Cupp says that the offensive line should be strong as well, despite the loss of Dexter Charles to the University of Washington. Defensively, the Spartans will be led by Kyle Bennett, the school’s all-time leading tackler. Cupp says with solid tackling and fundamental play, the Spartans should bounce back this year and be competitive in the Wesco North.
Impact players: Kyle Bennett, Sr., RB/S, 6’0″ 190; Kyle Strachan, Jr., QB, 6’2″ 215; Kyle O’Donnell, Jr., OT/DT, 6’3″, 265; Collins Cameron, Jr., WR/DB, 5’11”, 175.
Fresh faces: Jake Campbell, Jr., WR/S, 6’1″, 205; John Talkington, Jr., TE/LB, 6’4″, 210.
Returning starters: Offense, 8; defense, 7.
Schedule: Sept.2 at Kamiak; Sept. 9 at Sedro-Woolley; Sept. 16 at home against Mariner; Sept. 23 at Monroe; Sept. 30 at home against Marysville Pilchuck; Oct. 7 at home against Arlington; Oct. 14 at Snohomish; Oct. 21 at home against Lake Stevens.
Coach’s comment: “We need to make sure we play solid defense and take care of the football. If we do those things, we will be fine.” — Aaron Cupp, Stanwood coach in third season
Games to watch
Arlington at Jackson
Sept. 9, Everett Memorial Stadium
Last year Arlington hung on to top the Timberwolves, not only in Week 1 but also in the Wesco title game. This year the Eagles have to travel to take on the three-time Wesco South champs.
Snohomish at Lake Stevens
Sept. 23, LSHS Football Field
After a down year — the Vikings dispatched the Panthers with ease in 2010 — this longtime Wesco rivalry should return to its roots as a knock-down-drag-out battle this season.
Lake Stevens at Arlington
Sept. 30, John C. Larson Stadium
This game pits the top two teams in this year’s coaches poll against each other in a game that could decide who wins the North.
Snohomish at Marysville Pilchuck
Oct. 7, Quil Ceda Stadium
Snohomish shocked the Tomahawks a year ago, winning its only game of the season against one of the better teams in the North. This year MP gets the Panthers on their turf.
Arlington at Stanwood
Oct. 7, Stanwood Stadium
The Stilly Cup was returned to Arlington last season in a game that cost the Eagles two starters to injury. This year an improved Spartans squad hopes to make three wins in four years over the Eagles.
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