Making the case for Emerald Ridge: Why the Jaguars can win 4A state title
The high school football state tournament brackets in Washington are filled with teams from the South Sound. Over the course of the season, some of these teams have separated themselves and look like legitimate state title contenders.
One of those teams is Emerald Ridge, in Class 4A. The Jaguars earned the No. 11 seed in the 4A state tournament, which begins Friday. Here’s a look at Emerald Ridge’s season, key players and signature wins. Plus, thoughts from multiple coaches who coached against Emerald Ridge this year — why they think the Jaguars could win it all and what could cause them to fall short of hoisting the trophy at Husky Stadium. Coaches are quoted anonymously to allow them to speak candidly.
RECORD: 8-2 overall, 7-2 in 4A SPSL
SIGNATURE WINS: 42-28 over Sumner in Week 3; 50-36 over Bothell in Week 10
STAT LEADERS: QB Jake Schakel: 155-of-215 passing, 2649 yards, 37 TD, 6 INT; RB Navarre Dixon: 154 carries, 1032 yards, 11 TD; WR Tony Harste: 55 receptions, 1150 yards, 16 TD
MAKING THE CASE FOR THE JAGUARS
Emerald Ridge features one of the state’s top offenses, led by senior quarterback Jake Schakel, an Eastern Washington commit. Schakel runs Emerald Ridge’s offense as well as any quarterback in the state and his rapport with Tony Harste shows up frequently in big games. Emerald Ridge advanced to the state semifinals last year and another run could be in the cards, especially with the way running back Navarre Dixon is playing. He gives the Jaguars’ offense a balance they maybe didn’t have last year.
Opposing Coach A: “They’re so good at their pass game, and then that running back (Dixon) is coming on. You have to outscore them. … You have to pressure them and try to take away some things. They can shock people. If they match up against teams that aren’t very good against the pass, they’re so good at it and that QB (Schakel) is so good, they could get themselves in the semis again, for sure. They’re not one-dimensional.”
Opposing Coach B: “Jake (Schakel) makes really good decisions. If he delivers it on time and accurately, they can score with anybody. If they can get a stop or two, they’ve gotta feel extremely confident they’re gonna score every time. Their offense is elite.”
WHY THE JAGUARS COULD FALL SHORT
For starters, the No. 11 seed means the Jaguars won’t play a home game in this year’s state tournament. They’ll have to open on the road, east of the mountains, against No. 6 Kamiakin in the first round. It’s never easy to win on the east side in the state tournament, although Emerald Ridge did win at Chiawana in last year’s tournament. Emerald Ridge is also prone to giving up points: they gave up 50 points in their loss to Curtis, 41 points in their loss to Graham-Kapowsin and 36 points in last week’s win over Bothell.
Opposing coach A: “If people can run the ball against them. Defensively, they’ve got some good DB’s but they can be a little vulnerable to giving up points to bigger, physical teams. That’d be the only way.”
Opposing coach B: “If you’ve got guys. Emerald Ridge’s receivers and skill guys are talented, they’re quick. If you have guys that can match up with them and you can play some man coverage and take away Navarre (Dixon’s) physical running style, you can slow them down. If they get in a shootout, they could lose.”
Opening round game: No. 11 Emerald Ridge vs. No. 6 Kamiakin, 6 p.m. Friday at Lampson Stadium
