With three games left in the regular season, the Western Conference playoff picture is becoming a little clearer and some teams can take a big step toward the postseason this week.

Jackson can solidify its hold on first place in the Western Conference 4A South Division with a victory over a dangerous Mariner team that is looking to rebound after being shut out by four-time defending champion Edmonds-Woodway.

The Warriors take on district rival Mountlake Terrace and need to avoid looking ahead to a key match-up against Cascade in two weeks.

Four teams — Jackson (3-0), Mariner (3-1), Cascade (2-1) and Edmonds-Woodway (2-1) — are battling for three berths to the quad-district playoffs.

In the Wesco 3A race, Shorecrest can improve 2-0 in the league with a victory over a winless Lynnwood squad that is struggling. The top two 3A teams advance to the quad-district playoffs, while the third-place team advances to a play-in contest.

Mariner at Jackson

Game time: 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Records: Mariner (3-1 in the league, 4-2 overall), Jackson (3-0, 5-1).

Last year’s result: Mariner 28, Jackson 7.

Last week’s results: Edmonds-Woodway 17, Mariner 0; Jackson 35, Kamiak 14.

Players to watch: Mariner running back Adrien Black rushed for 53 yards against Edmonds-Woodway. Marauder quarterback AJ VanWieringen was picked off twice. Jackson’s Taylor Cox scored a pair of touchdowns in the first half against Kamiak. Junior running back Riley Carr and junior quarterback Andy Gay also produced touchdowns.

Breakdown: The luster of this game took a little bit of a hit after Mariner got blanked by defending league champion Edmonds-Woodway. But this is still clearly the game of the week and the winner will have a leg up on the other for the league title. The Marauder offense will look to get back on track after a dismal performance against the Warriors. The Timberwolves’ defense played exceptionally well against Kamiak. The offense got the job done but wasn’t as crisp as Jackson coach Joel Vincent would like. The Timberwolves’ confidence is building and the Wolfpack have the talent to warrant such a feeling.

Enterprise pick: Jackson 28, Mariner 21.

Shorecrest at Lynnwood

Game time: 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at Edmonds Stadium.

Records: Shorecrest (1-0 in the league, 3-3 overall), Lynnwood (0-2, 0-6).

Last year’s result: Shorecrest 27, Lynnwood 0.

Last week’s results: Shorecrest 16, Meadowdale 12; Glacier Peak 47, Lynnwood 6.

Players to watch: Shorecrest’s Michael Harris (115 yards rushing last week) and Jordan Brown are solid in the backfield and as receivers. The Shorecrest defensive line led by senior David Munro nearly shut down Meadowdale star Naji Moore-Taylor last week. Kicker Nick Terrel converted three field goals including the go-ahead kick in the fourth quarter from 32 yards. Lynnwood coach Dorian Manza has decided to switch senior Geoff Meinken from running back to quarterback, where he ran for 84 yards last week.

Breakdown: Shorecrest has been inconsistent at times this year, but in wins over Snohomish and Meadowdale the Scots proved they can play with anybody. The Scots said they do not want to look past Lynnwood. Winning the turnover differential will probably influence the outcome of the game. Lynnwood’s offense has shown some signs of life but has not been able to sustain a full four quarter performance this season. Meinken is Lynnwood’s most talented player so it’s no surprise that coach Manza has decided to put him at quarterback. He’ll probably need more than one game under his belt to feel totally comfortable.

Enterprise pick: Shorecrest 31, Lynnwood 14.

Cascade at Shorewood

Game time: 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at Shoreline Stadium

Records: Shorewood (0-4 in the league, 0-6 overall); Cascade (2-1, 3-3)

Last year’s result: Cascade 35, Shorewood 0.

Last week’s results: Mountlake Terrace 14, Shorewood 0; Snohomish 42, Cascade 26.

Players to watch: Cascade runs the Wing-T is led by the one-two backfield punch of Aaron Frye (30 carries for 280 yards and TD against Snohomish) and LaQuondis Bruce (nine carries, 93 yards and a TD). Shorewood’s offense is led by backs Dorian Lair and Danny Phan who each had 65 yards rushing last week.

Breakdown: Cascade’s backs could give the Shorewood defense, which showed improvement last week, fits. Shorewood’s offense, which did not score last week, will have get some first downs to keep the high-powered Bruin offense off the field.

Enterprise pick: Cascade 34, Shorewood 7.

Sultan at King’s

Game time: 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17

Records: King’s (1-3 in the league, 3-3 overall); Sultan (1-3, 1-5)

Last year’s result: Sultan 47, King’s 19

Last week’s results: South Whidbey 31, King’s 0; Sultan 40, Coupeville 6.

Players to watch: Sultan back Abe Bray carried six times for 105 and two touchdowns last week. Quarterback Zach Beebe threw a touchdown pass to Bray and returned a fumble for a touchdown on defense. The key players on offense for King’s are quarterback Thomas Vincent and receivers Nick Swanson, John Burley and Curtis Clauson.

Breakdown: King’s has lost three straight since starting 3-0 and will try to get back on track against Sultan, which won its first game over Coupeville last week.

Enterprise pick: King’s 30, Sultan 27.

Archbishop Murphy at Cedarcrest

Game time: 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at Cedarcrest High School.

Records: Archbishop Murphy (3-0 in the league, 6-0 overall), Cedarcrest (3-1, 4-2).

Last year’s result: Archbishop Murphy 28, Cedarcrest 0.

Last week’s results: Archbishop Murphy 68, Lakewood 35; Cedarcrest 25, Granite Falls 0.

Players to watch: Archbishop Murphy running back Randy Gordon ran for a pair of touchdowns, while teammate JD Melton caught a pass for a touchdown and returned an interception for a score. Cedarcrest quarterback Tommy Edwards completed 7 of 12 passes and threw for two touchdowns, both of which were to Josh Stark. Running back Jacob Kreigbaum ran for 83 yards on 18 carries and Darren Collinwood rushed for 69 yards on 11 carries and had a pair of touchdowns.

Breakdown: Archbishop Murphy faces its first league opponent with an above .500 record and should get a good test from the Red Wolves. The Wildcats’ offense shredded Lakewood last week and will face a Cedarcrest defense that shut out Granite Falls. Archbishop Murphy has so many options on offense that defense coordinators must get headaches. Since Lakewood had some success through the air against the Wildcats, Cedarcrest may try to focus on its passing attack.

Enterprise pick: Archbishop Murphy 42, Cedarcrest 20.

Meadowdale at Mount Vernon

Game time: 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at Mount Vernon High School.

Records: Meadowdale (1-1 in the league, 3-2 overall), Mount Vernon (2-2, 2-4)

Last year’s result: Did not play.

Last week’s results: Shorecrest 16, Meadowdale 12; Burlington-Edison 10, Mount Vernon 3.

Players to watch: Meadowdale junior running back Naji Moore-Taylor scored one touchdown against Shorecrest but was held largely in check by the Scots. Cameron Bayer caught six passes for 98 yards and also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Matt McDonagh completed 7 of 13 passes for 108 yards. Mount Vernon is led by quarterback Ray Walser, who threw for 176 yards. Findley Meier had six catches for 59 yards.

Breakdown: Meadowdale will look to get back on track after being upset by the Shorecrest. The Mavericks must cut down on turnovers, which proved to be the downfall against the Scots. If Mount Vernon shuts down the run then McDonagh must step up his game. The Maverick secondary will be tested by a solid Bulldog passing attack.

Enterprise pick: Meadowdale 21, Mount Vernon 14.

Edmonds-Woodway at Mountlake Terrace

Game time: 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at Edmonds Stadium.

Records: Edmonds-Woodway (2-1 in the league, 4-2 overall); Mountlake Terrace (1-2, 3-3).

Last year’s result: Edmonds-Woodway 56, Mountlake Terrace 7.

Last week’s results: Edmonds-Woodway 17, Mariner 0; Mountlake Terrace 14, Shorewood 0.

Players to watch: Edmonds-Woodway senior running back Tony Heard rushed for 144 yards on 26 carries and scored one touchdown. Heard also threw an 87-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Din Kuses. Mountlake Terrace junior running back Casey Ellersick scored on runs of 1 and 7 yards against Shorewood.

Breakdown: Just when about everybody had written Edmonds-Woodway off, the Warriors responded with an impressive victory over Mariner to stay right in the thick of the playoff hunt. Hurt or not, Tony Heard is still an offensive force, both as a running back and surprisingly as a passer. Mountlake Terrace appears to be a program on the rise but probably doesn’t have the talent to keep up with the Warriors.

Enterprise pick: Edmonds-Woodway 30, Mountlake Terrace 13.

Enterprise last week: 6-1.

Season: 31-11