A look at the week’s top local high school football matchups

League championships and postseason berths are up for grabs during Week 8 of the Snohomish County prep football season.

Here’s a look at some of this week’s top matchups involving local teams:

FERNDALE AT 3A NO. 6 STANWOOD

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Stanwood H.S.

The skinny: Class 3A No. 6 Stanwood hosts league power Ferndale in a de facto Wesco 3A North title game. The winner advances to the Wesco 3A championship game against either Monroe or Snohomish. The defending league co-champion Golden Eagles won last year’s matchup 48-30.

Ferndale: 5-2, 5-0 Wesco 3A North; lost to 2A No. 1 Lynden 24-7, beat Oak Harbor 47-6, lost to 4A No. 1 Glacier Peak 42-14, beat Arlington 27-24, beat Marysville Pilchuck 35-21, beat Marysville Getchell 49-7, beat Mount Vernon 41-21

About the Golden Eagles: Ferndale has proven year in and year out that its one of the premier program’s in Wesco 3A North. The Golden Eagles have a 28-7 record in league play since joining the league as a football-only member in 2016, and a win this week would give Ferndale its third overall Wesco 3A North title and second outright. The Golden Eagles’ Wing-T offense is led by a big, experienced line that features two of the state’s top senior recruits in the trenches. University of Washington commit Landon Hatchett is a three-star prospect and Jake Mason a two-star, according to 247sports.com. The latter has 11 sacks and eight tackles for loss on defense this season and is Whatcom County’s career leader in sacks, according to Whatcom County Preps. The pair helps pave the way for three-star athlete Isaiah Carlson, who leads the team with 844 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing. Carlson also stars on defense and holds offers from Pac-12 schools Arizona, California, Oregon State and Washington State. Ferndale averages 31.4 points per game and allows 20.7. The team’s only two loss came to 2A top-ranked Lynden and 4A top-ranked Glacier Peak.

Stanwood: 7-0, 5-0 Wesco 3A North; beat Lakewood 42-0, beat Marysville Pilchuck 30-16, beat Oak Harbor 38-14, beat Mount Vernon 35-3, beat Arlington 37-6, beat Union 69-47, beat Marysville Getchell 40-6

About the Spartans: After a surprise trip to the 2021 state playoffs, Stanwood has continued its ascension with an unbeaten run through the first seven games of its schedule. The Spartans achieved one of their biggest goals this season when they ended their 12-game Stilly Cup losing streak by beating rival Arlington three weeks ago. They can check another box off the list with a victory this week, which would secure the program’s first league title since 2004. Stanwood is led by standout two-way senior Ryder Bumgarner, a two-star recruit according to 247 sports.com. He leads Snohomish County with 1,619 yards rushing on a 12.8 yards-per-carry average to go with 17 touchdowns. Senior Carson Beckt has amassed 652 yards (523 rushing, 129 receiving) and 14 TDs on offense. He also has a pick-six on defense. The Spartans’ Wing-T offense averages 41.6 points per game, while the defense allows just 13.1. Senior Noah Grina is the team’s leading tackler, junior Max Mayo has a team-best three interceptions and senior Caden Caldero has a team-high three sacks.

Herald pick: Stanwood

3A NO. 7 MONROE AT SNOHOMISH

Monroe’s Blake Springer drops back and surveys the field against Edmonds-Woodway on Oct. 14 at Edmonds Stadium. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

When: Friday, 8 p.m.

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium (Snohomish H.S.)

Radio: 1380 AM KRKO

Webcast: STSPN.com

The skinny: Wesco 3A South favorite Monroe and top contender Snohomish meet in a de facto league championship game. Both teams are looking for an outright title after finishing as a part of a three-way tie for first last season. The Bearcats beat the Panthers in a 42-40 overtime thriller last fall.

Monroe: 7-0, 5-0 Wesco 3A South; beat Roosevelt 56-14, beat Shorecrest 48-13, beat Kamiak 44-14, beat Lynnwood 70-26, beat Mountlake Terrace 49-7, beat Shorewood 62-8, beat Edmonds-Woodway 28-14

About the Bearcats: Monroe avoided an upset and pulled away to beat Edmonds-Woodway last week. Aside from that close game, it’s been smooth sailing all season for the Bearcats. Monroe has beaten six of its seven opponents by 30 points or more, reached 44 points in all but one week and held six teams to 14 points or fewer. Special teams has provided big plays as well, including three kickoff return touchdowns by senior Mason Davis. A win this week would hand the Bearcats their second straight league title and first outright since moving to Wesco 3A South last season. Three-star junior quarterback Blake Springer leads an offense that averages 51.0 points per game. He’s tops in Snohomish County with 1,544 yards passing and has completed 70.1% (101 of 144) of his throws with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. Springer has an array of weapons on offense, including speedy sophomore running back Beau Pruett and senior receiver Kody Edelbrock. Pruett has team highs 679 yards and 10 TDs rushing and 486 yards and eight TDs receiving. Edelbrock has 429 yards and two TDs on a team-best 31 receptions. Monroe surrenders just 13.7 points per game. Edelbrock had five tackles for loss and two sacks last week, and the Bearcats have forced 18 turnovers this season.

Snohomish: 4-3, 4-1 Wesco 3A South; lost to 4A No. 1 Glacier Peak 42-13, beat Mountlake Terrace 23-7, beat Shorecrest 37-14, beat Lynnwood 47-14, lost to Liberty (Renton) 49-19, lost to Shorewood 46-21

About the Panthers: After rattling off four straight wins, Snohomish has lost its past two games by an average of 27.5 points, including a shocking upset at the hands of Shorewood last week. The defeat to the Stormrays was just the third for the Panthers in league play since 2018. Despite the loss, Snohomish can still claim its fourth straight league title with a victory this week. The Panthers average 29.0 points per game. Senior Mason Orgill leads the team with 12 offensive touchdowns. He has 330 yards and 10 TDs on the ground and a team-high 209 yards and two TDs receiving. Senior Kyle Larson adds a team-high 567 yards and four TDs rushing. Senior quarterback Kale Hammer is completing 52.9% (64 of 121) of his passes for 720 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Hammer also has three rushing scores. Snohomish allows 28.4 points per contest. Senior defensive back Cole Taylor has a team-high four interceptions, senior linebacker Mason Podoll has 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks and senior linebacker Gavin Maynard has five tackles for loss and one sack. Senior Caleb Podoll and sophomore Parker Jackson each have a returned a punt for a score.

Herald pick: Monroe

CEDARCREST VS. CASCADE

Cascade quarterback Eric Sowards rolls out of the pocket while looking downfield for a pass during the Battle of Broadway against Everett on Oct. 7 at Everett Memorial Stadium. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

When: Friday, 5 p.m.

Where: Everett Memorial Stadium

The skinny: Unbeatens Cedarcrest and Cascade meet in a battle of independent squads looking to crash the postseason. If the Red Wolves win, they’ll move one victory away from securing a state playoff play-in game in Week 10 at the Northwest 2A Conference’s No. 3 seed. If the Bruins win, they qualify for a Week 9 crossover play-in game Tuesday at Wesco 3A South No. 5 Shorewood.

Cedarcrest: 7-0; beat Stadium 14-7 (OT), beat Sammamish 40-18, beat Cedar Park Christian (Bothell) 14-0, beat Shorewood 42-14, beat Shorecrest 42-0, beat Meadowdale 25-0, beat Everett 35-14

About the Red Wolves: Cedarcrest has already matched its highest win total since 2011 and is off to its best start since at least 2003. Another victory would give the Red Wolves, who went 2-13 over the past two seasons, their most wins since 2009. Cedarcrest is led by a stingy defense that’s allowing just 7.6 points per contest and has three shutouts under its belt. The Red Wolves have held all seven opponents below their season scoring average and forced 16 turnovers. Junior JT Marsh and sophomore Luke Thompson each have two picks and sophomore Reid Fiala has 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. Cedarcrest averages 30.3 points per game on offense. Junior quarterback Nathan Cavanaugh has completed 48.2% (39 of 81) of his passes for 794 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions. His top target is Marsh, who averages 29.5 yards per catch with 560 yards and seven TDs. Running backs Dylan Hartje and Avery Kleppen have combined for 776 yards and 11 TDs rushing.

Cascade: 7-0; beat Marysville Getchell 41-21, beat Newport 42-35 (OT), beat Inglemoor 33-14, beat Jackson 55-21, beat Oak Harbor 39-14, beat Everett 55-14, beat Meadowdale 48-6

About the Bruins: Cascade is 7-0 for the first time in at least two decades and can clinch an unbeaten regular season this week. The Bruins average 44.7 points and are outscoring opponents by 26.9 points per game. Speedy senior running back Julian Thomas is second in Snohomish County with 1,304 yards rushing and leads the area with a whopping 24 TDs on the ground. He’s complemented in the backfield by junior Zach Lopez and senior Charlie Nelson, who have combined for 1,012 yards and 12 TDs. Senior receiver Devin Gilbert adds a deep threat to the Bruins’ run-heavy Wing-T scheme. He averages 28.0 yards per catch with 224 yards and five TDs. Senior quarterback Eric Sowards has completed 57.7% (15 of 26) of his passes for 375 yards, six TDs and two interceptions. Cascade allows 17.9 points per contest and has held four of its past five opponents to 14 points or fewer.

Herald pick: Cascade

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE AT EDMONDS-WOODWAY

Edmonds-Woodway backup quarterback Diego Escandon throws a short screen pass against Monroe on Oct. 14 at Edmonds Stadium. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

When: Friday, 5 p.m.

Where: Edmonds Stadium (Edmonds-Woodway H.S.)

The skinny: Third place in Wesco 3A South is on the line in this meeting between Edmonds School District foes. Edmonds-Woodway has won the past four in this series, including a 44-0 victory when these teams last met during the shortened spring season of 2021. The winner hosts either Marysville Getchell or Oak Harbor in the Week 9 crossover round. The loser hosts Marysville Pilchuck in a crossover matchup.

Mountlake Terrace: 4-2, 3-2 Wesco 3A South; beat Jackson 39-13, lost to Snohomish 23-7, beat Shorewood 26-3, beat Shorecrest 27-6, lost to 3A No. 7 Monroe 49-7, beat Lynnwood 20-19

About the Hawks: After going 1-12 over the previous two seasons, Mountlake Terrace is one win away from reaching five wins for the first time since 2018 and has a shot at securing its first winning record in league play as a Wesco team since 2014. The junior-heavy Hawks average 21.0 points per game behind a strong ground game led by bruising running back Zaveon Jones. The junior averages 6.8 yards per carry and has 988 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. Junior wide receiver Logan Tews has team highs with 204 yards and two TDs on 13 receptions. He’s accounted for all but 56 of the teams receiving yards. Junior quarterback Matthew Meadows has completed 42.3% (22 of 52) of his throws for 260 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Terrace is allowing 18.8 points per game and has forced 16 turnovers. Junior Logan Hansen leads the team with 4.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, Tews has a team-high three interceptions and juniors Bede Breese and Tyler Shankle each have two picks. The Hawks have held five of their six opponents below their season scoring average and have allowed more than 23 points only once.

Edmonds-Woodway: 3-4, 3-2 Wesco 3A South; lost to Marysville Pilchuck 20-16, lost to Kamiak 21-20, beat Lynnwood 44-21, lost to Snohomish 43-27, beat Shorewood 25-14, beat Shorecrest 47-14, lost to 3A No. 7 Monroe 28-14

About the Warriors: Despite losing its starting quarterback and top receiver to injury on the same play early in the second quarter, Edmonds-Woodway gave league favorite Monroe its first challenge of the season before falling to the seventh-ranked Bearcats last week. The Warriors held Monroe’s high-powered offense to a season-low scoring output, and backup QB Diego Escandon, the team’s No. 2 receiver, filled in admirably for starter Steven Warren Jr., who entered last week’s game as the county’s leading passer. Escandon completed 19 of 34 passes for 262 yards, two TDs and three interceptions last week. Warren has completed 59.6% (96 of 161) of his throws for 1,397 yards, 13 TDs and four interceptions. E-W’s leading receiver is junior Jesse Hart III, who has 478 yards and four TDs. He also has three rushing scores. Sophomore receiver Cannon Kennard is coming off a big week. He hauled in eight receptions for 149 yards and two TDs against Monroe. Senior Liam Fitting leads the rushing attack with 579 yards and six TDs. E-W averages 27.6 points per game and allows 23.0. The Warriors’ defense has forced eight turnovers.

Herald pick: Edmonds-Woodway