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After the first week of play, we'll begin our complete 1-19 power ranking of the Western Conference 3A/4A - but for now, here's a quick semi-educated guess at how Wesco North stacks up.
1. Oak Harbor - Wildcats return 30 (?!!!) seniors, including a seasoned QB, a big play running back, and a devastating safety/WR.
2. Stanwood - The only team on the bubble of the Seattle Times 4A poll doesn't get the top spot here, but that's just because of uncertainty behind the starting QB and the new coach. Supposedly, Sparta has gone to the spread attack. Will Brad Gee be wasted in a passing offense? Can McCune learn to throw? If so, Wesco could be seeing red, as Stanwood leads the league in returning all conference players.
3. Arlington - So rich in QB's, Jake Parduhn is moved to running back. Couple that with two returning all league receivers, and all league tight end, and a talented QB in Andy Smith, and the Eagles are a team to watch.
4. Lake Stevens - The Vikings return playmakers at key offensive positions, and appear set in the secondary and at the linebacker spot, but two questions remain: where's the beef (will the offensive and defensive lines hold up)?, and will junior QB Bryson Daggett follow in the path of the last two Viking signal callers, both of which now play on Saturdays - or will Coach Tom Tri call an audible and send WR and captain Chameron Lackey back to QB?
5. Marysville - Pilchuck - It's hard to deny that the Tommies are a threat, especially considering the fact that they return RB Austin Denton, the most fearsome rusher in all of Wesco, but it's also hard to argue the fact that they return just three starters on each side of the ball. This is one of those deals where if the Tommies want to earn a ranking, they'll have to do it behind Denton and a horde of fresh faces.
6. Snohomish - The Bob Marley looking beast of tailback graduated last year, as did pretty much all of the Panther playmakers. I bet they are looking over at Glacier Peak's roster and drooling. That said, there are no easy victories at Memorial Stadium, as the Vikings have learned several times.