Records, history go out the window for Juanita-LW football rivalry | Prep football

In the last decade, the Juanita-Lake Washington football rivalry has leaned heavily in the Rebels’ direction.

The two Kirkland high schools are scheduled to play for the Bronze Man Trophy at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 at Juanita High School’s Bergh Field. This fall provides one of the most intriguing match ups in the recent years.

This season, many of the faces are different, though for Lake Washington coach AJ Parnell, the rivalry is like an old friend.

Parnell started two games at quarterback during his junior and senior seasons — at Juanita. His senior season in 2001, Juanita beat Lake Washington on a last-second field goal.

Parnell was also an assistant with the Rebels for six seasons alongside current Juanita coach Lele Teo.

“For me, there was a point where the rivalry wasn’t good,” Parnell said. “Lake Washington was so down in those games, there was a time the rivalry wasn’t what it used to be. Last year, we put on a good show in terms of competing. This year adds to it.”

Parnell and Teo remain good friends and talk on a regular basis, sharing coaching tips and often employing a similar philosophy.

“It makes the rivalry that much more fun,” Teo said. “High school rivalries need a certain level of respect for each other. After a few years, the level of respect between the schools has gotten where we want it. It’s healthy, and at the end of the day, we’re part of the same neighborhood.”

Lake Washington hasn’t won the game since 2006, and has only scored 12 touchdowns in the years since. The teams didn’t play in 2008 or 2009, but resumed play in 2010. Last season was the closest the Kangs have come in the last 10 years, losing 38-28 after a big third quarter from the Juanita offense.

The win stretched Juanita’s streak to seven games, the longest for either side in series history. All-time, Juanita leads Lake Washington 23 games to 19.

The 2015 game featured an emerging Adam Long against Juanita’s Tavin Montgomery at quarterback. Long threw for over 100 yards and a touchdown, while Montgomery had a huge game: 15-17 for 216 yards and four scores.

Salvon Ahmed rushed for 202 yards and a touchdown for Juanita, while Lake Washington’s Dylan Bacher ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns.

Lake Washington will bring an overhauled offense, led by Long and junior Ryan Clifford. The 5-foot-6, 155-pound running back isn’t a power-runner, but he has the speed to get to the sideline an burn defenders. Clifford has been averaging just over 80 yards per game, and has six touchdowns in five games.

The Juanita offense has speed — and some of the best in the nation. Ahmed was invited to play in the Army All-American bowl in the offseason, and made his return from a broken hand for the Rebels’ game against Bellevue last week. Ahmed has three touchdowns on the season in two games.

While Lake Washington’s program is certainly on the rise, Juanita has struggled through the first five weeks of the season.

The Rebels lost Ahmed in the opener against Mount Si, and the difference over the following weeks was evident. Juanita lost to Garfield at Memorial Stadium, then blew out Bishop Blanchet heading into a bye week.

At 1-3, this season marks the worst record for Juanita entering the rivalry game since 2011, when the Rebels were 2-5.

The Kangs (2-3) feel good about the current run. Lake Washington has been competitive in every game this season, including a 15-7 loss to Marysville-Getchell in the opener, a 28-14 loss to WF West on Sept. 23 and a 28-27 loss to Redmond in double overtime on Sept. 30.

Four of the five games have been decided by 10 points or less. And given that Lake Washington put on one of it’s best shows of the season last fall, the game between the Rebels and Kangs is a little too close to call.

GAME DETAILS

Bergh Field, Juanita High School, 7 p.m.

Class 3A KingCo Conference game

Coaches: AJ Parnell, Lake Washington (third season); Lele Teo, Juanita (second season)

Records: Lake Washington (0-1 KingCo, 2-3); Juanita (0-1, 1-3)

Players to watch:

Lake Washington: No. 1 QB Adam Long, No. 32 RB Ryan Clifford, No. 85 TE Domonic Roussell

Juanita: No. 2 RB Salvon Ahmed, No. 11 QB JD Worcester, No. 34 TE Dean Sise

SERIES HISTORY

All time: Juanita leads 23-19

Longest streak: Juanita, 2007-2015

2015 — Juanita 38, Lake Washington 28