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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Top teams starting to emerge from pack

By Tony Dondero and David Pan
Enterprise reporters

It's still early, but after two weeks, we've got a better idea where teams stand.

Jackson's offense looks mighty impressive but it will get a stiffer test on the road at Arlington this week after dismantling Shorewood last week.

Archbishop Murphy, which looks like it could make a run at the state 2A title this year, opens Cascade Conference play against Granite Falls.

Edmonds-Woodway got back on track with a win over Everett last week and faces Lynnwood in a nonconference game at Edmonds Stadium.

Meadowdale, perhaps the best team 3A or 4A in Wesco, will try to stay unbeaten against Mountlake Terrace after its game with Stanwood was canceled because of a head injury to a Stanwood player.

King's aims to stay undefeated in an important Cascade Conference matchup at 1A rival Coupeville.

Shorewood gets to play at Qwest Field against Kamiak in the Best in the West Classic on Saturday in a battle of winless teams that Kamiak will be heavily favored to win.



Snohomish at Shorecrest

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at Shoreline Stadium

Records: Snohomish 1-1, Shorecrest 0-2.

Last year's result: Did not play.

Last week's results: Marysville-Pilchuck 34, Snohomish 7; Ferndale 61, Shorecrest 0.

Players to watch: Snohomish's offense is led by senior running back Ray Purviance, who rushed for 152 yards against Kamiak in week one. Snohomish was held to 43 yards rushing by Marysville-Pilchuck last week. Senior defensive back Cameron Woolsey leads the Snohomish defense. Shorecrest will try to get the ball to speedy junior running back Michael Harris more often this week.

Breakdown: Shorecrest's string of tough opponents to open the season continues with Snohomish, the preseason favorite to win the Wesco North. Shorecrest didn't get much going on offense against Ferndale and got burned on defense because of missed assignments. The Scots need to get Harris the ball more and should show some improvement, but Snohomish is bigger and more talented.

Enterprise pick: Snohomish 41, Shorecrest 10.



Shorewood vs. Kamiak

Game time: 11 a.m. Saturday at Qwest Field

Records: Shorewood 0-2, Kamiak 0-2.

Last year's result: Kamiak 35, Shorewood 6.

Last week's results: Jackson 51, Shorewood 3, Cascade 27, Kamiak 15.

Players to watch: Kamiak's senior linebacker/fullback Marcel Seely (6-2, 210) is a top Division I prospect and the Knights' leader. Quarterback Sam Ruppel threw a touchdown pass last week and leads the offense. Shorewood's leader is senior running back/punter/safety Dorian Lair.

Breakdown: Shorewood comes into this game at The Best in the West Classic at Qwest Field on the coattails of Kamiak, which was supposed to be one of the top teams in the Wesco South this year. But the Knights are 0-2 after losses to Snohomish and Cascade both good teams. Shorewood was completely overmatched against Jackson last week, and Kamiak is young but could be as good as Jackson. The Knights also have something to prove after two disappointing losses. Shorewood's defenders will have to be in better positions to make plays and its offense needs to generate some first downs early or this one could turn into a rout in a hurry.

Enterprise pick: Kamiak 42, Shorewood 7.



King's at Coupeville

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Records: King's 2-0. Coupeville 0-2.

Last year's result: Coupeville 24, King's 14

Last week's results: King's 17, Charles Wright 7; Lakeside 20, Coupeville 6.

Players to watch: King's sophomore quarterback Thomas Vincent has been impressive running and throwing the football in the Knights' two wins. He ran for 208 yards and two scores last week and passed for 56 yards, completing 7-of-12 passes. Running back Zack Berg is the Knights' other main option. First-year starters Jason Bagby and Justin Adams fill the quarterback and running back slots respectively.

Breakdown: Both teams are very young, but so far this season the Knights' offense, behind a strong line and Vincent, has been better than expected. Coupeville did not score an offensive touchdown against Lakeside last week while Vincent ran for two scores against a good Charles Wright team. King's looks ready to start the season 3-0 if its offense keeps clicking and gain a seeding edge over 1A rival Coupeville.

Enterprise pick: King's 24, Coupeville 20.



Granite Falls at Archbishop Murphy

Game time: 7 p.m.

Records: Granite Falls 1-1, Archbishop Murphy 2-0.

Last year's result: Archbishop Murphy 46, Granite Falls 0 (though Wildcats were forced to forfeit game).

Last week's results: Archbishop Murphy 26, Eastside Catholic 23; Granite Falls 31, Nathan Hale 13.

Players to watch: Archbishop Murphy's Kelso Wilkins and Russel Stiegler each ran for a touchdown in the victory over Eastside Catholic. The Wildcats switch off at quarterback with senior Jake Downs and sophomore Austin VanderWel sharing duties. Granite Falls was led by Brandon Brown, who rushed for 169 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Breakdown: The Wildcats are coming off a stirring victory over 3A Eastside Catholic and hope to start off league play with a solid victory. Archbishop Murphy has started out strong in its first two games. Wildcats coach Dave Ward wants to see a sustained effort for all four quarters. Archbishop Murphy will go to the air if the opportunity arises. Expect the Wildcats to continue their winning ways against Granite Falls.

Enterprise pick: Archbishop Murphy 41, Granite Falls 10.



Lynnwood at Edmonds-Woodway

Game time: 8 p.m.

Records: Lynnwood, 0-2, Edmonds-Woodway 1-1.

Last year's result: Edmonds-Woodway 35, Lynnwood 6.

Last week's results: Arlington 22, Lynnwood 12,; Edmonds-Woodway 21, Everett 7.

Players to watch: Lynnwood running back Geoff Meinken ran for a touchdown and quarterback Jared Shippey threw for another in the loss to the Eagles. Edmonds-Woodway quarterback Andy Willcock completed 14 of 21 passes for 228 yards and threw for two touchdowns. His favorite target was senior wide receiver Din Kuses, who caught 10 passes for 225 yards. Running back Tony Heard rushed for 130 yards on 13 carries.

Breakdown: Edmonds-Woodway simply has too much talent against a Lynnwood team that is struggling with its varsity numbers. The Warriors' passing attack picked up last week with quarterback Willcock hooking up with Kuses throughout the night. With Edmonds-Woodway's Heard in the backfield, the Lynnwood defense likely will be stretched thin.

Enterprise pick: Edmonds-Woodway 40, Lynnwood 7.



Mountlake Terrace at Meadowdale

Game time: 5 p.m.

Records: Mountlake Terrace 1-1, Meadowdale 1-0.

Last year's result: Meadowdale 44, Mountlake Terrace 20.

Last week's results: Mariner 49, Mountlake Terace 13; Meadowdale 14, Stanwood 7, game suspended in second quarter due to serious injury to Stanwood player.

Players to watch: Mountlake Terrace running Percy Anyimah played the first half against Mariner but came out due to an ankle injury. His status for Friday's game is unknown. Mountlake Terrace quarterback Brandyn Eckhart threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to flanker Billy Lechtenberg. Meadowdale quarterback Matt McDonagh leads what should be a balanced offensive attack. Tight end Connor Hamlett is a big target. Look for running backs Ben Shebly and Darin Dysart in the backfield.

Breakdown: Meadowdale could be one of the top teams in the entire Wesco after a week one victory over defending South champion Edmonds-Woodway. The Mavericks will keep their opponents' defenses guessing with a talented group of running backs and a veteran quarterback. Mountlake Terrace stayed close with Mariner for the first two quarters but broke down in the second half. The Mavericks should have the edge over their district rival.

Enterprise pick: Meadowdale 35, Mountlake Terrace 10.

Jackson at Arlington

Game time: 7 p.m.

Records: Jackson 2-0, Arlington 2-0.

Last year's result: Did not play.

Last week's results: Jackson 51, Shorewood 3; Arlington 22, Lynnwood 12.

Players to watch: Jackson senior running back Taylor Cox scored three touchdowns against Shorewood. Teammate Riley Carr had two touchdowns and ran for 93 yards on five carries. Arlington quarterback Jake Parduhn threw for 107 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Breakdown: The Jackson defense should have a far more serious challenge in containing the versatile Parduhn, who slice and diced the Lynnwood defense. But even if the Timberwolves get into a shootout with the Eagles, the Jackson offense has more than enough weapons to get the job done. Cox and Carr are a tough one-two punch to contain and don't forget about junior quarterback Andy Gay.

Enterprise pick: Jackson 40, Arlington 20.

Last week: 7-0

Season: 11-3