A team with the imposing talent of unbeaten Nooksack Valley, which has put up more than 40 points in each of its three wins, would normally be thought of as a solid conference title favorite. Nooksack’s 47-20 win over King’s — in a game nowhere near that close — and Colton Lentz’s 223 yards rushing and five touchdowns at home Friday would seem to bolster that reputation. But is any team a true title favorite in the Fearsome Five league otherwise known as Northwest Conference 1A.
“I love playing in our league. It’s the best, no doubt,” Lentz said, speaking about as fast as the senior runs. “Agreed,” is what every coach in the circuit would respond.
After all, defensive goliaths Blaine and Mount Baker are 3-0 for the first time in many years. Meridian is 2-1 in the immediate wake of a 35-34 road loss to unbeaten 4A power Kamiak. And it took a defending divisional champion from British Columbia in the opener and 2023 state 2B champion Okanogan to beat Lynden Christian Friday.
Not only is the Fearsome Five a combined 12-3, but they have scored 536 points, with the vast majority in the first half. And yet ..
. there is a way that Nooksack can establish itself as the most fearsome of the five. On Friday, the daring Pioneers will travel more than 150 miles to take on Tumwater (3-0), which has long boasted one of the most explosive of all 2A programs.
“I’m very happy to be playing Tumwater,” said Lentz. “We won’t be intimidated. I hate losing more than I .