The Archbishop Murphy football team doesn’t find itself here very often.
The Wildcats are coming off a 40-15 loss to King’s in their Cascade Conference season opener. It’s just the second conference loss ever for Archbishop Murphy.
The first came last year against Lakewood, which held off the Wildcats 26-22. Archbishop Murphy looks to avenge that loss in The Herald’s Game of the Week.
“We’ve definitely touched on it,” Wildcats’ head coach Bill Marsh said. “They’re obviously going to be thinking about it and talking about it. It’s not so much of a ‘revenge factor’ game; it’s just an important game for the season.”
With the game against King’s last Thursday, Archbishop Murphy (2-1) had an extra day to prepare. The Wildcats watched some film and — after travelling down to San Diego for a game the week before — used the additional time to collect some rest.
Then Archbishop Murphy got back to practice, eager to face another top conference foe.
“This is a bounce-back week for us coming off the King’s loss,” Marsh said. “We’ve had a really good week of practice. The kids are focused. It helps having a team that’s really good coming off that loss. It gives us something to look forward to.”
Lakewood coach Dan Teeter said the Archbishop Murphy game is always one that the Cougars circle on the calendar.
“We’re extremely excited. We look forward to this game every year,” Teeter said. “We know they’re going to be ready. They’ve got something to prove. They lost last year and they want payback.”
After a tough nonconference schedule that featured wins against Washington and 1A power Blaine, Lakewood (3-0) is hoping to start its league schedule with a win.
“Every game each week is the key to helping secure a playoff berth,” Teeter said. “Ultimately, we’d like to be conference champions. We’d like to take care of business one game at a time, and 1-0 would be a great way to start the conference season.”
While the Wildcats can’t go 1-0 in league play, Marsh is excited to face another strong opponent so early in the season.
“I like it because it just gives you playoff intensity all season long,” Marsh said. “It’s a compliment to our league to have so many good teams. Our players like having to get up for these games week in and week out.”
ARCHBISHOP MURPHY vs. LAKEWOOD
Where: Lakewood H.S.
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Archbishop Murphy (0-1 Cascade, 2-1 overall); Lakewood (0-0, 3-0)
Key players: Archbishop Murphy—Alex Galgano, Sr., RB/SS; Frank Medlicott, Sr., FB/LB; Hans VanderWel, Sr., RB; Camden Buchanan, Sr., QB. Lakewood—Justin Peterson, Sr., QB/WR/DB; Donovan Evans, Sr., RB; Brandon Stott, Sr., WR; Dylan Donahue, So., T/DE.
Twitter: @krueger_david
Pick: Lakewood 28, Archbishop Murphy 17
MARINER vs. CASCADE
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
When: 5 p.m.
Records: Mariner (2-1 overall); Cascade (2-1)
Breakdown: The Marauders are off to a nice start behind the running of junior RB Josh Williamson, who has rushed for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns per game. Cascade, meanwhile, is off to a 2-1 start after going two-plus seasons without a victory. Bruins quarterback Ryan Lukas has thrown for nearly 500 yards and his favorite target KJ Brady 16 catches for 216 yards and three touchdowns.
Key players: Mariner—Josh Williamson, Jr., RB/LB; Dan Nadat, Sr., QB/DB; Kiante Ahmad-Woods, Sr., RB/LB; Malcolm Manson, Sr., WR/DE; Hector Ruiz, Sr., OL/DL. Cascade—Ryan Lukas, Sr., QB/DB; KJ Brady, Jr., WR/DB; Kaleb Dobson, Jr., WR/DB; Steven Gallardo, Sr., TE/DL; KeJuan Coleman, So., RB/LB.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Twitter: @swaney_aaron79
Pick: Mariner 32, Cascade 27
MONROE vs. LAKE STEVENS
Where: LSHS Football Field
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Monroe (1-2 overall); Lake Stevens (2-1)
Breakdown: After a season-opening loss to Glacier Peak, the Vikings have two straight wins over quality opponents (Marysville Pilchuck, Oak Harbor) and are ranked No. 9 in 4A in the latest AP poll. Monroe is off to an up-and-down start, having beaten Kingco Juanita sandwiched between losses to Jackson and Mariner. Bearcats running backs Gabe Moore and Max Blais have combined to rush for 440 yards and five touchdowns.
Key players: Monroe—Mitchell Price, Sr., QB; Hunter Bingham, Jr., QB; Gabe Moore, Jr., RB/LB; Dylan Judson, Sr., TE/LB; Max Blais, Jr., RB/LB. Lake Stevens—Andrew Elgaen, Sr., TE/LB; Conner Coleman, Sr., WR/DB; Gavin O’Neil, Jr., QB; Brandon Johnson, Sr., G/DT; Carey Campbell, Sr., TE/DE.
Twitter: @aaronlommers
Pick: Lake Stevens 21, Monroe 13
EDMONDS-WOODWAY vs. JACKSON
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
When: 8 p.m.
Records: Edmonds-Woodway (2-1 overall); Jackson (2-1)
Breakdown: Jackson’s electric offense runs up against a solid Edmonds-Woodway defense in a Wesco South 4A opener. The Warriors’ offense will likely be without star running back Desmond Young for the second straight game (E-W coach John Gradwohl said he didn’t expect Young to play tonight). In Young’s absence last week, Junior Opoku-Mensah ran for a game-high 81 yards on 22 carries.
Key players: Edmonds-Woodway—Desmond Young, Sr., RB/DB; Davis Giles, Jr., QB; Matt Cuzzetto, Sr., WR/DB; Travis Bakken, Jr., TE/DL; Theo Lebesis, Jr., TE/LB. Jackson—Conor Plaisance, Sr., QB; Larry Baker-Bruce, Sr., RB/WR/DB; Keynan Foster, So., WR/DB; Trey Robinson, Jr., WR/DB.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Twitter: @jonsap
Webcast: Warrior Radio (myedmondsnews.com/warrior-radio)
Pick: Jackson 36, Edmonds-Woodway 23
GLACIER PEAK vs. MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: 8 p.m.
Records: Glacier Peak (3-0 overall); Mountlake Terrace (1-2)
Breakdown: The Grizzlies are riding high off their third-straight victory over a 4A opponent and Mountlake Terrace is coming off of its most complete performance in a 42-0 win over rival Lynnwood. Glacier Peak is led by QB Chris Becerra (949 yards, 12 TDs) and WR Sean Elledge (13 catches, 287 yards, 5 TDs).
Key players: Glacier Peak—Sean Elledge, Sr., WR/DB; Quinton Dunbar, Sr., RB/WR/LB; Chris Becerra, Sr., QB; Nate Sandstrom, Sr., OT; Michael Palmer, Jr., RB/LB. Mountlake Terrace—Devante Downs, Jr., RB; Mason Stone, Sr., WR/DB; Beau Kennedy, Sr., QB; Quintin Barnard, Sr., WR/DB; Shawn Evenson, Sr., WR/DB.
Webcast: Hawks Live (mltnews.com); STSPN
Pick: Glacier Peak 40, Mountlake Terrace 14
STANWOOD vs. MARYSVILLE GETCHELL
Where: Quil Ceda Stadium
When: 7 p.m.
Records: Stanwood (2-1 overall); Marysville Getchell (1-2)
Breakdown: Stanwood is coming off of a disasterous loss to rival Arlington in the Stilly Cup, while Marysville Getchell is coming off its first win in the program’s history.
Key players: Stanwood—Kyle O’Donnell, Sr., OL/DL; Brian O’Donnell, Sr., TE/LB; Jake Campbell, Sr., WR; Kyle Strachan, Sr., RB; Drew Wright, Jr., QB. Marysville Getchell—Dylan Diedrich, Sr., QB; Cullen Zackuse, Sr., RB/LB; Kaleb Seymer, Jr., WR/DB; Zander Seymer, Sr., WR/DB.
Radio: KAPS (660 AM)
Pick: Stanwood 29, Marysville Getchell 14
OTHER GAMES
Shorecrest vs. Meadowdale at Edmonds Stadium, 5 p.m. (Webcast: GameTimeNorthwest); Lynnwood vs. Kamiak at Goddard Stadium, Everett at Oak Harbor (Webcast: SoundSportsNet.com), Arlington at Mount Vernon (Webcast: SkagitRadioSport.com), South Whidbey at King’s, Sultan vs. Granite Falls at Hi Jewel Stadium, Nooksack Valley at Coupeville, Darrington vs. Chief Leschi at Fife H.S., Marysville Pilchuck vs. Shorewood at Shoreline Stadium (Webcast: GameTimeNorthwest), Redmond at Snohomish (Radio: KXA, 1520 AM), Cedarcrest at Mount Baker, all 7 p.m.
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