Lynnwood took more than its fair share of lumps against Mariner in last week’s Western Conference South Division game.
Three two-way starters were knocked out in the Royals’ 37-7 loss to the Marauders Oct. 12 at Goddard Stadium.
Starting quarterback Andrew Beatty suffered a concussion while being sacked midway through the third quarter. Beatty is out for Friday’s game against 3A rival Shorecrest.
Junior running back Geoff Meinken and senior middle linebacker Chris Gordon also both left the contest. Meinken suffered a hip pointer while Gordon pulled a ligament in his groin. Both players are expected to play this week.
“We didn’t execute very well offensively or defensively,” said Lynnwood head coach Dorian Manza. “Mariner is a tough team.”
The Royals again struggled to get the offense going early on. Lynnwood went three-and-out on its two opening possessions. The Royals had an opportunity to extend the second drive but couldn’t convert on a third-and-one.
“It’s been frustrating,” Manza said. “We’ve had a lot of third-and-shorts and have not been able to convert. Mariner was a very talented team. They’re very fast and they came out and jumped on us.”
Six different Mariner player scored touchdowns. Lynnwood’s J.J. Fuentes ran for a 2-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Junior Jared Shippey replaced Beatty last week and is scheduled to be the starter against Shorecrest.
“He does a good job,” Manza said. “He knows the offense. We’ll miss Beatty. He’s one of our offensive leaders. … But you’ve got to adapt and improve. I’m confident we’ll be ready to play, ready to go. We’re a tough team.”
Lynnwood (2-5 in the league, 2-5 overall) hosts Shorecrest (1-5, 1-6) at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19 at Edmonds Stadium. The game has potential playoff implications.
Two of the five 3A Wesco teams move on to the postseason. Meadowdale (4-2) already has clinched a quad-district playoff berth with its win over Mountlake Terrace.
Arlington (3-3) currently is in second place but closes out the season against Cascade and Marysville-Pilchuck. If Lynnwood finished tied with the Eagles then the two would face off in a tiebreaker game.
“We match up pretty well (against Shorecrest),” Manza said. “We’re just as hungry for a win.”
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