The Western Conference South Division race heats up with a showdown between the only two undefeated teams in the league — Edmonds-Woodway and Kamiak.
The high-powered Warrior offense has outscored the opposition 243-73. The Knights also are dominating their competition with a 179-53 edge.
Both teams are headed to the playoffs, but Friday’s game will go a long way toward establishing who earns the league’s No. 1 seed.
Edmonds-Woodway at Kamiak
Game time: 7 p.m., Friday, at Goddard Stadium.
Records: Edmonds-Woodway 5-0 in the league and overall; Kamiak 4-0 league, 5-0 overall.
Last week: Edmonds-Woodway 56, Mountlake Terrace 7, Kamiak 35, Shorewood 6
Last year’s result: Edmonds-Woodway 24, Kamiak 7.
Players to watch: Edmonds-Woodway quarterback Kyle McCartney was an efficient 9 of 10 for 247 yards with three touchdowns through the air against Mountlake Terrace. Teammate Antoinne Wafer caught four passes for 95 yards and two scores. He also returned a punt for a touchdown. Kamiak quarterback Cub Jansen completed 6 of 8 passes for 154 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Shorewood. Running back Justin Glenn ran for 60 yards on 11 carries.
Breakdown: Edmonds-Woodway head coach John Gradwohl was concerned that his team might have leveled off the past couple of weeks. That wasn’t the case in an overwhelming victory over Mountlake Terrace. The Warriors are coming into Friday’s game definitely on the upswing. If rain is a factor, Edmonds-Woodway would be more than happy to keep handing the ball to junior running back Tony Heard. The Warrior offensive line faces a Kamiak defense that is big and physical. So far the line has met every challenge thrown its way. Kamiak will try to keep the game close early on and hope the breaks go its way.
Enterprise pick: Edmonds-Woodway 35, Kamiak 21
Jackson
at Mountlake Terrace
Game time: 5 p.m., Friday, at Edmonds Stadium.
Records: Jackson 2-2 league, 2-3 overall; Mountlake Terrace 1-3 league, 1-4 overall.
Last week: Jackson 42, Lynnwood 7; Edmonds-Woodway 56, Mountlake Terrace 7.
Last year’s result: Jackson 17, Mountlake Terrace 0.
Players to watch: Jackson running back Taylor Cox scotched Lynnwood for 196 yards on 30 carries and also completed 2 of 2 passes, including one for a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Andy Gay managed the game well and also completed 6 of 10 passes for 102 yards. Mountlake Terrace quarterback Tony Ellersick is a threat on the ground and through the air.
Breakdown: Jackson is clearly a team on the rise with back-to-back victories over Shorecrest and Lynnwood. Running back Taylor Cox figures to be the focus on offense and his speed will be difficult for Mountlake Terrace to defend. The Jackson line dominated both on offense and defense against the Royals. The defense kept Lynnwood quarterback Andrew Beatty on the run the entire night. Mountlake Terrace must protect quarterback Tony Ellersick. The Hawks likely will be without starting running back Billy Lechtenberg, who is nursing a leg injury. The burden then shifts to running back Eric Alley.
Enterprise pick: Jackson 30, Mountlake Terrace 10.
Archbishop Murphy
at Sultan
Game time: 7 p.m., Friday, at Sultan High School.
Records: Archbishop Murphy 3-0 Cascade Conference, 5-0 overall; Sultan 2-1 conference, 2-3 overall.
Last week: Archbishop Murphy 47, Lakewood 20; Cedarcrest 89, Sultan 13.
Last year’s result: Archbishop Murphy 56, Sultan 20.
Players to watch: Wildcat backs Henry Woods (four touchdowns last week) and Russel Stiegler (one touchdown last week) both rushed for 100 yards against Lakewood should continue to pile up yards and scores. Much of the credit goes to the Archbishop Murphy line, of Glade Hall, Sean Connelly, Zeke Evers, Fred Hines, and Ryan Bourke, and tight end J.J. Quinlan who are providing those holes. Sultan is a young team led by offensive linemen Jake Estrella, Nigel Romeign and Ryley Ohlsen. Sophomore quarterback Zach Bebee leads the offense.
Breakdown: Sultan will try to forget about the pounding it took from Cedarcrest last week as it prepares to take an even better Archbishop Murphy team. The Turks under new coach Michael McMahon, run a spread offense with a single back. Lakewood scored 20 points and threw for 190 yards on the Wildcats, using a similar offense so the Wildcats will have to do a better job defending the passing routes. Still the Archbishop running game and run defense looks too tough for Sultan and the Wildcats should cruise to victory.
Enterprise pick: Archbishop Murphy 54, Sultan 13.
Lynnwood
at Meadowdale
Game time: 8 p.m., Friday, at Edmonds Stadium.
Records: Lynnwood 2-3 league, 2-3 overall; Meadowdale 2-2 league, 2-3 overall.
Last week: Jackson 42, Lynnwood 7; Meadowdale 7, Shorecrest 0.
Last year’s result: Meadowdale 42, Lynnwood 26.
Players to watch: Lynnwood quarterback Andrew Beatty had no time in the pocket and running back Geoff Meinken didn’t find many holes to run through in last week’s loss to Jackson. The Royals have a veteran receiver corps led by Scott Hill and Curtis Wisser. Meadowdale running back Tonja Njoku ran for 47 yards on 12 carries, while junior quarterback Matt McDonaugh completed only 1 of 5 passes. But the 44-yard completion to Jacob Clampitt led to the Mavericks’ lone touchdown.
Breakdown: Lynnwood and Meadowdale combined for a total of two touchdowns in last week’s games, so both offenses are looking to get back on track. The Royals’ offensive line struggled to protect quarterback Andrew Beatty and as a result the Lynnwood passing attack faltered. Lynnwood also needs to get its ground game going again. Meadowdale generally lives and dies by its run game and the Mavericks were successful enough to edge Shorecrest last week. Meadowdale will probably need to complete more than the one pass that it did last week.
Enterprise pick: Meadowdale 21, Lynnwood 14.
Mariner
at Shorecrest
Game time: 8 p.m., Friday, at Shoreline Stadium.
Records: Shorecrest 1-4 league and overall; Mariner 3-1 league, 3-2 overall.
Last week: Meadowdale 7, Shorecrest 0; Snohomish 22, Mariner 20.
Last year’s result: Mariner 28, Shorecrest 25.
Players to watch: Mariner’s Shaundell Burns (85 yards on 10 carries last week) and Adrien Black are threats to run and catch the ball and quarterback Tyler Tuiasosopo has the passing game back in gear. Mariner’s other top back, Matt Jones, is out with a knee injury. Shorecrest quarterback Lars Swenson (19 carries, 82 yards last week) leads the Shorecrest offense but he needs help. Michael Harris is the main option at running back and Benny Olsen Running back Rico Trevino is out for the season and receiver Andrew Stephens has been out sick.
Breakdown: Both teams are coming off tough losses and need a win. Mariner has a slew of speedy, quick backs to go to and Tyler Tuiasosopo is one of the league’s most experienced and talented quarterbacks. The Marauders are coming a loss to Snohomish on a last-second field goal and will be hungry to get back on the winning track. Shorecrest’s defense must rise to the occasion like it did against Meadowdale against a much better offense. The Scots need someone to step up on offense to take the pressure off quarterback Lars Swenson.
Enterprise pick: Mariner 33, Shorecrest 14.
Cascade
at Shorewood
Game time: 5 p.m., Friday, at Shoreline Stadium.
Records: Cascade; Shorewood 0-5 Wesco South and overall.
Last week: Kamiak 35, Shorewood 6; Cascade 40, Monroe 0.
Last year’s result: Cascade 41, Shorewood 14.
Players to watch: Cascade’s Lorne Bridgeford rushed for 236 yards on 18 carries last week and Julian Wills added 113 rushing yards on 10 carries. Quarterback Aaron Frye was 6-for-7 passing for 90 yards and one touchdown. Shorewood running back Nathan Cook ran for 49 yards on 11 carries and Dorian Lair rushed for 43 yards on 10 carries. Luke Nelson caught two passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Breakdown: Cascade is a big physical team that has a lot of speed. They’re aggressive and disciplined as well. Bridgeford is one of the best backs in the Wesco North. Shorewood is a big underdog and will have to eliminate mistakes to stay close.
Enterprise pick: Cascade 40, Shorewood 7.
Cedarcrest
at King’s
Game time: 7 p.m., Saturday, at Shoreline Stadium.
Records:
Last week: South Whidbey 44, King’s 7; Cedarcrest 89, Sultan 13.
Last year’s result: Cedarcrest 20, King’s 14.
Players to watch: Running back Brady Paxman rushed for four touchdowns last week and quarterback Ernie Child rushed for two more as the Red Wolves rolled up 623 rushing yards against Sultan. Josh Fuller leads King’s with 207 yards rushing and three touchdowns and freshman Zach Berg has 166 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
Breakdown: Cedarcrest runs the Wing-T and last week it proved more than Sultan could handle. King’s defense will have to find a way to stand its ground against a slew of Cedarcrest backs led by Brady Paxman. The King’s offense has struggled this season and last week only compiled 83 yards in total offense. It could be very long night for the Knights if the Red Wolves are running on all cylinders.
Enterprise pick: Cedarcrest 55, King’s 7.
Enterprise sports staff picks
Last week: 5-1.
Season: 29-4.
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