Running backs Anthany Smith (6) and Darius Brown (26) are two of the dynamic skill-position players coach Mark Stewart has returning for the Mariner Marauders this season. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Running backs Anthany Smith (6) and Darius Brown (26) are two of the dynamic skill-position players coach Mark Stewart has returning for the Mariner Marauders this season. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

High school football preview: Wesco 4A team capsules

Cascade Bruins

Last season: 1-6 in conference, 2-8 overall

Head coach: Shane Keck (second season)

Key players: Jake Elenbaas, RB/LB, sr.; Eric Billings, OL/DL, sr.; Andrew Raymond, OL/DL, sr.; Paul Dibble, OL/DL, sr.; Terrance Bloss, TE/LB, sr.; Brett Gillis, QB, jr.

Coach’s quote: “We like to play a physical brand of football which is different than many of the teams in our league and different than the trend of the spread offenses. We had a great summer in the weight room and our commitment overall is dramatically different than 12 months ago. Our team chemistry and culture are improving and we hope to be more competitive this season.”

2016SCHEDULE

Sept. 2Inglemoor, 5 p.m.

Sept. 9 at Everett, 8 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Glacier Peak, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 Monroe, 8 p.m.

Sept. 30 at Mariner, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Jackson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 Lake Stevens, 5 p.m.

Oct. 28 at Kamiak, 7 p.m.

Glacier Peak Grizzlies

Last season: 6-0 in conference, 10-2 overall; lost 35-14 to Bellevue in the Class 3A state quarterfinals

Head coach: Nick Bender (first year)

Key players: Alex Garrett, WR/OLB, sr.; Malakai Fifita, OL/DL, sr.; Ayden Ziomas, QB, soph.; Colton Bunt, WR/S, sr.; Kevin Ramsey, K, sr.; Ricky Kranz, WR/LB, sr.

Coach’s quote: “You’ve got a new coach and a new level of competition with (moving up to) 4A, so we have a new outlook and a new excitement. It’s like a spark has kind of been added after eight years of the same teams and the same program and things like that. I think excitement is kind of the outlook for the season. It’s the unknown, but it’s fun.”

2016SCHEDULE

Sept. 2at Bothell, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9Snohomish, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16Cascade, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23at Jackson, 5 p.m.

Sept. 30Monroe, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7at Lake Stevens, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14at Mariner, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21Kamiak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Jackson Timberwolves

Last season: 2-5 in conference, 3-7 overall

Head coach: Joel Vincent (19th season)

Key players: Brad Borders, RB/FS, sr.; Markus Sullivan, TE/LB, sr.; Chase Alexander, OL/DL, sr.; Nick Peterson, OL/DL, sr.; Daniel Arias, WR/DB, jr.; Brandon Wheeler, WR/DB, sr.; Louis Stout, OL/DL, jr; Johnny Navarro, RB/LB, jr.

Coach’s quote: “We are excited here about the potential for us this season. We return many starters on both sides of the ball and look to put that experience to use this year. Keys for our success this year will be to hold to the belief that we can improve each week and committing to getting better each week, working hard in our preparation, and coming together as a team.”

2016SCHEDULE

Sept. 2Edmonds-Woodway, 8 p.m.

Sept. 9Eisenhower, 5 p.m.

Sept. 16at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23Glacier Peak, 5 p.m.

Sept. 30Lake Stevens, 8 p.m.

Oct. 7at Kamiak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14Cascade, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21at Monroe, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28Mariner, 7 p.m.

Kamiak Knights

Last season: 4-3 in conference, 6-4 overall

Head coach: Dan Mack (19th season)

Key players: Matt Merk, QB, soph.; Joe Kamp, OL/DL, sr.; Oliver Diltz, OL/DL, sr.; Joshua Binda, DB/RB, sr.; Ben Barton, RB/LB, jr.; Isaiah Shigematsu, OL/DL, sr.

Coach’s quote: “We’re a young and hungry team that has worked extremely hard in the offseason. We expect to compete for a conference championship and make a run in the state playoffs.”

2016SCHEDULE

Sept. 2Bishop Blanchet, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9Oak Harbor, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16at Monroe, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23Mariner, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7Jackson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14at Lake Stevens, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21at Glacier Peak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28Cascade, 7 p.m.

Lake Stevens Vikings

Last season: 7-0 in conference, 11-1 overall; lost 37-34 to Skyline in the Class 4A state semifinals

Head coach: Tom Tri (12th season)

Key players: Hunter Eckstrom, WR/DB, sr.; Zach Kylany, OL/DL, sr.; Dylan Hutchinson, OL/DL, sr.; Seth Roberts, OL/DL, sr.; Jake Rasmussen, WR/S, sr.; Conor Bardue, QB, jr.; Blake May, RB, sr.; Jack Larson, RB/DB, sr.; Anthony Hutchinson, WR/DB, jr.

Coach’s quote: “Our season motto this year is ‘Rebuild? RELOAD!!!’ We don’t rebuild, we reload. That’s the mentality. I really believe we’re reloading.”

2016SCHEDULE

Sept. 2at Stanwood, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9Arlington, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16at Mariner, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30at Jackson, 8 p.m.

Oct. 7Glacier Peak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14Kamiak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21at Cascade, 5 p.m.

Oct. 28Monroe, 7 p.m.

Mariner Marauders

Last season: 4-3 in conference, 4-6 overall; lost 45-0 to Gig Harbor in the 4A quad-district playoffs

Head coach: Mark Stewart (second season)

Key players: JJ Walker, QB, sr.; Darius Brown, RB, sr.; Anthany Smith, RB/DB, sr.; Windy “Bubba” Isaia, OL/DL, sr.; Cayden Herbert, TE/LB, sr.; Tim Kukhotskiy, DB, sr.; Drew Johnson, OL, sr.

Coach’s quote: “We are looking forward to the start of the season. We have some real dynamic players returning in our skilled positions. Up front, we have to replace a couple starters on the offensive and defensive lines. I’m excited for our returning starters and our emerging players. We have a committed group of young players working hard to step into those positions. I have confidence in our guys and we’re going to have a really strong season.”

2016SCHEDULE

Sept. 2at Oak Harbor, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9Marysville-Getchell, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16Lake Stevens, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23at Kamiak, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30Cascade, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7at Monroe, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14Glacier Peak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28at Jackson, 7 p.m.

Monroe Bearcats

Last season: 5-2 in conference, 7-3 overall; lost 28-21 to Skyview in the Class 4A quad-district playoffs

Head coach: Michael Bumpus (second season)

Key players: JJ Jerome, RB/LB, sr.; Zach Zimmerman, QB, sr.; Josh Jerome, OL/DL, jr.; Isaiah Cole, WR/DB, jr.; Isaiah Lewis, WR/DE, jr.; Nathan Mead, OL, jr.; Josh Felder, OL/LB, sr.; Blake Bingham, WR/DB, sr.

Coach’s quote: “We just want to build on what we did last year. Two years in a row we’ve gone 7-3 and lost in the first round. I don’t think we’ve gotten out of the first round in like 50 years or so. That’s our goal, to win league and get out of the first round and just continue a winning tradition. This would be the first time in I don’t know how many years where we had three winning seasons in a row. Win the day, win every game, get out of league and get in the playoffs and you never know what can happen.”

2016SCHEDULE

Sept. 2Meadowdale, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9at Mt. Si., 7 p.m.

Sept. 16Kamiak , 7 p.m.

Sept. 23at Cascade, 8 p.m.

Sept. 30at Glacier Peak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7Mariner, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21Jackson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28at Lake Stevens, 7 p.m.

Mount Vernon Bulldogs

Last season: 0-7 in conference, 0-10 overall

Head coach: Jay Silver (fifth season)

Key players: Josiah Nelson, OL/DL, sr.; Dravin Hodgins, OL/DL, sr.; Jordan Bell, OL/DL, sr.; Evan Reyes, TE/DE, sr.; Kris Bonn, WR/DB, sr.; Kaleb Lovingier, FB/LB, sr.; Gabe McGuire, FB/LB, jr.

Coach’s quote: “We have much more depth and experience this season. With strong senior leadership, combined with a great offseason, we are excited for the season to begin.”

2016SCHEDULE

Sept. 2at Sedro-Woolley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9Burlington-Edison, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16Jackson, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23at Lake Stevens, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30Kamiak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7at Cascade, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14Monroe, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21at Mariner, 7 p.m.

Oct. 28Glacier Peak, 7 p.m.

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