Football Ties May Upset Plans -- Wesco AAA, Wesco AA Prepare In Case Of Playoffs

Don't make plans for next Friday night yet - especially if you're a fan of high school football.

Depending on what happens tonight, a number of Western Conference games next week could be shifted to Thursday.

The possibilities are many in the WesCo AA, where scenarios loom for three-way ties for first and second places.

Bainbridge is the only team with a possible stake in the playoffs that will not play a league game tonight. The league wraps up next week with Bainbridge playing Lake Stevens, Lynnwood playing Meadowdale and Monroe playing Mountlake Terrace.

The league has a plan:

-- If Lake Stevens and Monroe both win tonight: The Meadowdale-Lynnwood and Lake Stevens-Bainbridge games next week would be moved from Friday to Thursday, with a mini-playoff, if necessary, next Saturday at a time as yet undetermined.

-- If Monroe and Lynnwood both win: There will be no changes and the regular season will conclude as scheduled.

-- If Lake Stevens and Meadowdale both win, or if Lynnwood and Meadowdale both win: All WesCo AA games next week would be moved to Thursday.

At stake are two berths in the state Class AAA playoffs. The WesCo AA champion hosts the No. 3 team from the Metro League. The WesCo AA runner-up plays the runner-up from the Northwest League for a first-round state berth against the Seamount League champion.

"This is what we play for - to have big games like this at this time of the season," Monroe Coach Randy Olson said. "We have our fate in our own hands tonight, and so does Meadowdale."

Bainbridge Coach Neal White is keeping a close eye on the league games tonight. His Spartans, who have two losses, need help to get into the playoffs.

"We need Lake Stevens and Monroe to both win, and then we need to beat Lake Stevens next week to force a playoff," White said.

The WesCo AAA is not to be outdone. If Mariner upsets No. 5-ranked Cascade and Snohomish beats Everett in the WesCo AAA tonight, the league would have a three-way tie for first among the Bruins, Panthers and Marauders, and next week's games could be moved to Thursday to accommodate a possible mini-playoff.

Also, if Cascade beats Mariner, Snohomish beats Everett this week, and Marysville-Pilchuck upsets Snohomish next week, there would be a three-way tie for second place among Mariner, Snohomish and Marysville-Pilchuck.

"This is pretty much a do-or-die game for us," Mariner Coach Tim Mead said. "But to be in this position this late in the season is a very good sign for our football program."

WESCO AAA

Everett (2-3, 3-4) vs. Snohomish (4-1, 6-1), tonight, 7:30, at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Snohomish - Everett's offense clicks behind running backs Jim Madison (5.1 yards per carry), and David Clements, who ran for 135 yards last week against Edmonds-Woodway. For the Seagulls, it will be won or lost at the line of scrimmage, where the offensive line must make room for Madison and Clements to run and buy time for quarterback Jamie Sluys to pass. Morgan Harris has been a horse for Snohomish, galloping for 647 yards on 114 carries. He has scored 13 touchdowns. Running mate Keith Sackett has been shifted to the offensive line to add some strength at guard, and he will probably be vital when the Panthers run the sweep. The key for the Panthers will be ball possession.

Mariner (4-1, 6-1) vs. Cascade (5-0, 6-1), tonight, 7:30, at Everett Memorial Stadium (KWYZ, AM 1230, will broadcast the game live) - Shane Fortney gives the Marauders something they have not had in quite a while: a double-threat quarterback. Fortney, a junior, has almost 400 yards rushing and 800 passing in the run-and-shoot offense. Running back Scott Fisher has 481 yards rushing and 215 receiving. The key for the Marauders will be to spread the Cascade defense and pick away at the seams. The Cascade formula is simple: They run the ball until you stop them. Last week, quarterback Mark Lehner threw the ball twice, once for a touchdown, which worries Mariner Coach Tim Mead. "They lull you to sleep with the run, then throw on you when you least expect it. They don't do it often, but when they do, it's usually for a big, big play." Fullback Jerry Jensen has been the base on which the offense is built, gaining 517 yards on 88 carries for 10 touchdowns. Ty Curley is an outside threat and Chad Staley runs the counter effectively.

Shorewood (0-5, 2-5) at Oak Harbor (0-5, 2-5), tonight, 7:30 - Mike Rockey's return has buoyed the Thunderbirds. He averages 5.6 yards per carry and is the league's third leading rusher with 625 yards despite missing most of two games. The key for the Thunderbirds will be to take advantage of opportunities inside the Oak Harbor 25, where the team has bogged down all season. Oak Harbor's defense is the most porous in the league, allowing an average of 25 points. David Dial has shifted to quarterback for Oak Harbor, replacing Kirk Huddleston, lost to injury. In two games, Dial has completed 12 of 24 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Tailback Eric Asmus has 219 yards on 43 carries - 140 yards in the last game. Fullback Malcom Sams has 384 yards on 87 carries. Oak Harbor must minimize its mistakes, and take advantage of any opportunities Shorewood miscues offer.

WESCO AA

Lake Stevens (3-1, 5-2) vs. Lynnwood (2-2, 3-4), tonight, 7:30, at Edmonds Stadium - The Vikings need big games out of running backs Keith Eidson and Shane Osborne, who average 5.9 and 6.9 yards per carry, respectively. The running game will put pressure on the Royals linebackers, who are quick and aggressive, and could open things up for an occasional pass from Ryan Elsemore. The Royals must not stop themselves with mistakes and penalties.

Meadowdale (2-1, 4-3) at Monroe (4-0, 6-1), tonight, 7:30 - Felipe Figueroa has rushed for more than 500 yards, and fullback Dave Klim is coming off two big games for the Chiefs. The Bearcats give up an average of just seven points per game. Nate LaCoss is one of the top passers in the state, and he has stood up to some strong blitzes to complete 98 of 166 passes for 1,282 yards and 15 touchdowns. But the Chiefs have the quickest, strongest defensive line in the league and an outstanding set of linebackers.

Mountlake Terrace (0-4, 1-6) vs. Shorecrest (0-4, 0-7), tonight, 7:30 at Shoreline Stadium - Terrace has had trouble scoring - averaging 10 points, and Shorecrest has a penchant for disrupting opponents' offenses. The Scots keep turnovers to a minimum and are opportunistic on offense. Neither team has been effective at sustained drives.

Burlington-Edison (4-3) at Bainbridge (3-4), tonight, 7:30 (nonleague game) - Bainbridge quarterback Jake Haley returned from a shoulder separation last week. He has completed 72 of 140 passes for 899 yards and nine touchdowns.

Soccer

Shorecrest has clinched the WesCo AA girls soccer title, but the likelihood of a tie for second between Meadowdale and Mountlake Terrace is strong.

That tie would be played off Monday, with the winner playing Mount Vernon of the Northwest League Wednesday. The winner of Wednesday's game would play the Metro League champion on Nov. 9.

Shorecrest will play Burlington-Edison in the first round of the playoffs at Shoreline Stadium on Nov. 9.

The WesCo AAA soccer picture cleared up last night when Cascade shut out Everett, 4-0. Freshman Tara Gardner earned the shutout and Stacy Thomas and Nicole Smith scored to push Cascade over Everett into second place in the Western AAA Conference with an 8-4 record, 9-5 overall. The Seagulls are 7-3-3.

If the Bruins win their final game Tuesday, they will clinch a berth in the state Class AAA playoffs and would play the South Puget Sound League champion Nov. 9.

Snohomish clinched the WesCo AAA title Tuesday in a scoreless tie with Everett, and the Panthers will play the No. 3 team from the SPSL Nov. 9, probably at Shoreline Stadium.