Week Three Wesco Picks

Riley Carr (pictured) and our top-rated Jackson Timberwolves welcome in Andy Smith and the high scoring Eagles tonight at Memorial Stadium. Rob Carlson/Sportsmedianorthwest.com

Arlington at Jackson, 7 p.m. at Everett Memorial StadiumWhat a matchup in Everett tonight, as the two top offenses in all of Wesco clash at Memorial Stadium. Makes me wish Comcast was broadcasting so I could fire up the old DVR, but at least we have Matthew Robertson to come through with the video later.
On the field, each team is led by a prolific passer and dynamic running backs. Jackson's Andy Gay is looking to play his way into a BCS Subdivision scholarship, and after starting the 2009 season 29-39 passing for 387 yards with a 5/0 TD to INT ratio, he's well on his way. Arlington's Andy Smith beat out Jake Parduhn late last season and has blossomed into a star. Smith leads Wesco 4A with 515 yards passing and eight touchdowns.
In the backfield, Jackson is led by the muscular Riley Carr - a dual threat in the ground game and the passing attack. Carr averages 10.2 yards per carry with four rushing touchdowns, while hauling in seven passes for 146 yards and three TD's over the first two weeks. Arlington answers with the aforementioned Parduhn (7.3 ypc, three TD's) and emerging sophomore Blake McPherson, who rushed for four TD's in the second half last week.
We look for Jackson to maximize the home field advantage and to continue their climb up the 4A state rankings - but it should be a close one. Timberwolves, 48-38.

Glacier Peak vs. Miramonte, Best of the West Classic Saturday 11 a.m. at Seattle Memorial Stadium Zach Richter and the GP offense look to rebound from a sub par (for them) offensive performance by welcoming one of the Bay Area's top teams to Seattle in the Best of the West Classic. Miramonte only features one top prospect - WR/DB James King, a 6'3 195 pounder with offers from Army, Navy and Rutgers. Glacier Peak, of course has OT John Froland who will play Big 10 football at Northwestern - and a bevy of skill position standouts like Tanner Southard and Jack Bonner. After traveling up the coast into unfamiliar territory, we think it will be too much for the Boys from the Bay to overcome the GP spread attack. Look for the Grizzlies to take it 35-24.

Cascade at Mariner, 7 p.m. After making the playoffs three straight seasons, Mariner has started 2009 on a down note, losing its first two games and being hit by a booster club scandal. However, the Marauders feature one of the most dynamic players in Wesco in sophomore back KaiVarae Russell. Look for the Marauders to pound Russell through the tough Bruin defense and ear their first victory of the season in front of the home crowd. Mariner, 17-14.

Skyview at Marysville-Pilchuck, 7 p.m. The Tommies welcome Skyview of Vancouver into Wesco territory. The M-P ground attack led by a beastly line and prospective All State running back Austin Denton. The Tommies will chew up spit out the visotrs from the south. M-P, 28-3.
Other games:

Meadowdale at Mountlake Terrace, 8 p.m. at Edmonds District Stadium (Prediction: Meadowdale 21-10)

Edmonds-Woodway at Lynnwood, 5 p.m. at Edmonds District Stadium
(Prediction: E-W 38-0)
Shorecrest at Snohomish, 7 p.m. (Prediction: Snohomish 31-10)

Kamiak at Shorewood, 7 p.m. at Shoreline Stadium (Prediction: Kamiak 13-7)

Monroe at Sedro-Woolley, 7 p.m. (Prediction: Monroe 35-31)

Everett at Oak Harbor, 7 p.m. (Prediction: Oak Harbor 21-20)
and finally:
Oaks Christian at Skyline, 7 p.m. ESPNu(Prediction: Oaks Christian 28-27)