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

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Some stellar matchups in week one of preps

By David Pan
Enterprise Sports editor

For many sports fans, this week is the best time of the year. It’s the kickoff to the 2009 football season.

The Edmonds School District wastes no time as bitter rivals face off in non-league contests that nevertheless are important games to the players and coaches. Perennial postseason contenders Edmonds-Woodway and Meadowdale is a match-up many have been waiting for all summer.

Shorecrest steps up a classification by taking on 4A Marysville-Pilchuck and Shorewood faces Monroe, a team that finished in the cellar of the Western Conference North Division.

Jackson begins its campaign against an improved Stanwood squad, while Archbishop Murphy looks to avenge last season’s state semifinal loss to Lynden.

We’ll know a lot more about how our local teams will stack up in 2009 after this weekend.


Archbishop Murphy vs. Lynden

Game time: 9:30 a.m., Saturday at Qwest Field

Last year’s records: Archbishop Murphy 7-0 in the league, 12-1 overall; Lynden 7-1 in the league, 12-2 overall;

Last year’s results: Lynden 21, Archbishop Murphy 13 (state semifinals); Archbishop Murphy 26, Lynden 15 (regular season)

Players to watch: Archbishop Murphy is led by junior quarterback Austin VanderWel. Running backs Alex Martinez and Caleb Smith will fill in for the injured Randy Gordon. Tight end Tani Tupou brings size and strength to the offensive line.

Breakdown: The Wildcats are looking to avenge last year’s loss in the 2A state semifinals. Archbishop Murphy, however, faces a tall task since the team graduated many of its top players. With only five returning starters on offense and five on defense, the Wildcats likely will need a little time to develop. Lynden appears to be an improved team.

Enterprise pick: Lynden 27, Archbishop Murphy 21


Jackson vs. Stanwood

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at Stanwood High School

Last year’s records: Jackson 6-0 in the league, 9-2 overall; Stanwood 3-3 in the league, 3-6 overall

Last year’s results: Jackson 32, Stanwood 8

Players to watch: Jackson’s offense revolves around two of the top players in the league — senior quarterback Andy Gay and senior running back Riley Carr. Gay’s favorite targets include juniors John Wilde and Kyle Olson.

Breakdown: Jackson starts the defense of its league title with a non-league game against an improved Stanwood team. The graduation of Taylor Cox means an expanded role for Carr, who is the team’s leader on defense. With most of last year’s players back, Jackson looks to be in a good position to open strongly.

Enterprise pick: Jackson 30, Stanwood 10


Lynnwood vs. Mountlake Terrace

Game time: 5 p.m. Friday at Edmonds Stadium

Last year’s records: Lynnwood 0-4 in the league, 0-10 overall; Mountlake Terrace 1-5 in the league, 4-6 overall

Last year’s results: Mountlake Terrace 29, Lynnwood 6

Players to watch: The buzz around Lynnwood is that California transfer Typhis Cochran is a player with Division I potential. Cochran was one of the Royals’ top sprinters last spring and brings speed to the backfield. He’ll join quarterback Michael Stanley. Mountlake Terrace is led by senior quarterback Brandyn Eckhart, who set a record for rushing yards by a quarterback in the team’s final regular season game, and four-year varsity running back Casey Ellersick.

Breakdown: Mountlake Terrace returns one of its most veteran squads in recent years and is looking to continue the momentum of last year’s solid season. The Hawks’ experience on both sides of the ball should be a major advantage against a Lynnwood team that is looking to start a new tradition after a winless 2008 campaign.

Enterprise pick: Mountlake Terrace 35, Lynnwood 13


Edmonds-Woodway vs. Meadowdale

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

Last year’s records: Edmonds-Woodway 5-1 in the league, 7-3 overall; Meadowdale 3-1 in the league, 6-4 overall

Last year’s results: Meadowdale 28, Edmonds-Woodway 27

Players to watch: The Mavericks are led by new quarterback Dan McDonald. Joining him in the backfield are Sam Warner and Riley Neff-Werner. A favorite target of McDonald is sure to be senior tight end Connor Hamlett. Edmonds-Woodway returns its starting quarterback in Andy Willcock, a second-team, all-league selection. Expect senior Jimmy Spears to be a significant presence in the backfield along with newcomer junior Zack Berg. Willcock’s favorite receiver is senior Reid Sullivan.

Breakdown: Edmonds-Woodway is looking for a little payback after Meadowdale held on for a thrilling one-point victory last year. The Mavericks have experience in the skill positions but are starting a new quarterback. Edmonds-Woodway has plenty of new faces on the offensive line but brings back one of the top quarterbacks in the league in Andy Willcock. His veteran presence could be the difference.

Enterprise pick: Edmonds-Woodway 21, Meadowdale 14


Shorecrest vs. Marysville-Pilchuck

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

Last year’s records: Shorecrest 2-2 in the league, 4-6 overall; Marysville-Pilchuck 6-0 in the league, 9-1 overall.

Last year’s results: Marysville 46, Shorecrest 14

Players to watch: Shorecrest should have a solid ground game with senior running backs Jordan Brown and David Cannon. The Scots likely will play two quarterbacks - junior Michael Johnson and sophomore Ted Hammond. Senior Sam Heck shifts from quarterback to wide receiver.

Breakdown: The defending Western Conference North Division champions look to get off to another strong start against a Shorecrest squad that is hoping to push through to the playoffs. The Scots’ running attack needs to be effective to keep the Tomahawk offense off the field. The Shorecrest offensive line is bigger than last year but still could have trouble against one of the top 4A teams.

Enterprise pick: Marysville-Pilchuck 35, Shorecrest 27


Shorewood vs. Monroe

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at Monroe High School

Last year’s records: Shorewood 0-6 in the league, 1-9 overall; Monroe 0-6 in the league, 2-8 overall

Last year’s results: Monroe 20, Shorewood 6

Players to watch: Shorewood will look to running backs Eugene Holley, Alex Hosn and Josh Martinez to power the offense. The offensive line is led by Spencer Schobert and David Schoch.

Breakdown: Both teams suffered through a tough 2008 season and are looking to jump start 2009 with a victory. Shorewood coach Andrew Hershey shifted the offense’s emphasis to speed and deception rather than the power game of a year ago. The Thunderbirds lack a clear standout player and instead will look to three or four players to carry the load.

Enterprise pick: Monroe 14, Shorewood 7


King’s vs. LaConner

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday at LaConner High School

Last year’s records: King’s 2-5 in the league, 4-6 overall; LaConner 1-5 in the league, 1-9 overall

Last year’s results: King’s 51, LaConner 12

Players to watch: The King’s offense is led by quarterback Thomas Vincent, who’ll look to throw the ball to wide receiver Nick Swanson. Paul Lutgen, a senior linebacker and offensive lineman earned all-star honors and will be leader on both sides of the ball.

Breakdown: The Knights should be able to build on last year’s solid campaign with a veteran offensive line, a returning quarterback and some speedy wide receivers.

Enterprise pick: King’s 35, LaConner 21.