Shawn Perkins stopped a hash-mark short of calling it the most important game of his seven-year tenure at Mark Morris.

“It’s one of the most important games,” Perkins said. “It’s important for us to take that next step.”

If the seventh-ranked Monarchs (9-1) can topple explosive, eighth-ranked Interlake (8-3) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Longview Memorial Stadium in a Class 2A state first-round game, then Mark Morris will take a step that it has been building toward since Perkins was hired.

The Monarchs are in the first round of the state playoffs for the third consecutive year, and many of the 24 current seniors played significant roles in both of MM’s prior marches to state.

Many were also on the field in the final, bitter moments of losses to Bellingham (Round 1, 2007) and Blaine (Round 1, 2008).

A win against Interlake would be more than “that next step.”

It would be a breakthrough.

“This is our best team overall, from A-to-Z, since I’ve been here,” said Perkins. “We’re more complete (than previous teams). We have more depth. We have more speed. If we play the way we’re supposed to play, we can play with most anyone in the state. Anything can happen. You get a bounce here or a bounce there, a call here or a call there — it can make a huge difference.”

Interlake broke a 23-year playoff draught by qualifying for the state playoffs in 2008, where it lost to eventual champion Lynden in the first round. The Saints defeated North Mason 47-23 on Tuesday in a state play-in game.

Interlake’s only losses this season are against KingCo 3A teams with a combined 24-6 record, including second-ranked Bellevue and fourth-ranked Liberty.

Mark Morris’ closest game since Week 1 of the season came in a 21-7 win over R.A. Long on Oct. 30. That was just the second time in eight weeks that the Monarchs scored fewer than 41 points. Since its season-opening, 15-14 loss to Kelso, MM has won nine straight with an average victory margin of 32 points.

There is simply no comparison between Interlake and Mark Morris in terms of strength of schedule. But, as Perkins pointed out, so what?

“We can’t really worry about that now,” he said. “It’s in the past. We can only control what is going on right now. We have to continue to get better. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We have to step up our level of play each week. We have high expectations at all times.”

Perkins watched Interlake’s victory over North Mason and witnessed firsthand the Saints’ explosiveness. Interlake is led by “three really good athletes” in quarterback Matt Malos, wide receiver Dylan Amell and running back Brett Kirschner, who has made a verbal commitment to play for Washington State University.

Matos threw three touchdown passes to Amell, and Kirschner rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns in the win over North Mason.

“They definitely have some weapons. They have more speed than anyone we’ve seen this year,” Perkins said. “They have guys that can make plays in space. It will make them difficult to defend.”

Mark Morris will stick to the same tactics (run the ball, play solid defense) and strategy (control the clock, control field position) that have carried it to lopsided victories during its current nine-game winning streak.

“We have to play our brand of football,” said Perkins. “We have to stay consistent. We have to continue to win the turnover battle. We can’t have mental mistakes at this time of year.”

For the second straight week, the Monarchs had to wait until Tuesday to learn the identity of their upcoming opponent. And for the second straight week, they’ll play on Saturday, not Friday night.

“The toughest part is those two days of the unknown,” Perkins said. “Our energy has been great. Our guys are picking up on things quickly. They’re eager, hungry to get better. It’s been pretty exciting to see them so focused, especially when it is so cold and wet.”

On Monday and Tuesday, before Interlake had emerged as its next opponent, MM did a lot of individual position drills. Practices had an August, two-a-days feel.

“Ball-handling stuff,” said Perkins. “Linemen going through the chutes. I worked with (quarterback) Scotty (Kirkpatrick) on his drops and footwork. We just reviewed a lot of stuff. That’s what you do on the days when you’re waiting to see who you play next.

“Now that we know,” he added, “we can’t wait to get out there.”

On the Air

The Monarchs' first-round state playoff game against Interlake will air on 107.1-FM, with a pregrame show beginning at 1:15 p.m. Saturday.

Related links:

Interlake beats North Mason 47-23, advances to face Mark Morris

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