Wesco 3A North football preview

Outlook

Marysville Pilchuck — the co-champion with Oak Harbor last season — might see its three-year reign atop the Wesco 3A North come to end. The Tomahawks graduated several key players from that run, including running backs Austin Joyner and Killian Page, and defensive leaders Nic Alonso, Drew Hatch and Bryce Vitcovich, which could open the door for a new team to claim the crown. Oak Harbor returns two stars in running back Princeton Lollar and receiver Dyllan Harris. Arlington found itself in the middle of the pack in 2014 after dropping down to the 3A classification. Marysville Getchell, with a large junior class, comes back in 2015 with another year of experience under its belt. Stanwood and Everett, which has a new head coach in former Spartans’ coach Doug Trainor, look to rebound from tough 2014 campaigns in what looks like a wide-open conference.

The favorite

Oak Harbor. After finishing as the runner-up to Marysville Pilchuck the past three years — the two teams didn’t play last season and each finished conference play at 4-0 — this may be the season the Wildcats break through to the top. With Lollar and Harris returning, Oak Harbor has two of the top offensive weapons in the conference. The Oct. 23 game against Marysville Pilchuck could be for the title and, for the first time in three seasons, the Wildcats might be the favorite in the contest.

The dark horse

Marysville Pilchuck. The Tomahawks’ always seem to turn unknown offensive linemen into all-conference performers and while Marysville Pilchuck needs to work its magic at a few other positions this season, the Tomahawks have a chance to claim their fourth consecutive title.

6 games to watch

Arlington vs. Marysville Getchell (Sept. 25): Marysville Getchell, now in the fifth year of its program, looks to make a splash early against a tough Arlington team that could challenge for the conference title in its second season in the league.

Marysville Pilchuck vs. Marysville Getchell (Oct. 2): The annual Berry Bowl pits the Marysville crosstown rivals against each other. The Chargers are looking for their first-ever win against the Tomahawks.

Oak Harbor at Arlington (Oct. 2): While the Berry Bowl is going on just down Highway 9, the Eagles play host to Oak Harbor in a matchup of two teams with championship aspirations.

Stanwood vs. Everett (Oct. 2): Everett is led by first-year coach Doug Trainor, who was the Spartans’ head coach in 2012 before current Stanwood coach Dave Telford took over.

Marysville Pilchuck at Arlington (Oct. 16): The two schools renewed their rivalry last season as Arlington moved to the 3A classification. Both teams hope to be in the running for a playoff spot — and a league title — and this game could prove crucial to both teams’ chances of accomplishing those goals.

Oak Harbor at Marysville Pilchuck (Oct. 23): The past three seasons the winner of the Wesco 3A North has come down to this game between the Wildcats and Tomahawks. Last season the two teams didn’t play because of the shooting at Marysville Pilchuck the day of the game. And in a gesture of sportmanship in the face of tragedy, Oak Harbor conceded the conference’s No. 1 playoff seed to the Tomahawks.