The Lake Stevens Vikings made a series of big, momentum-shifting plays on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Lake Stevens High School to defeat the Kamiakin Braves in their second playoff matchup,
The win against Kamiakin secured their spot in the second round of playoffs, proving they can rise in the biggest moments.
The Lake Stevens Vikings started slow with a 0-0 score until three minutes left in the first quarter. In the third drive of the game, junior quarterback Blake Moser completed a pass to senior wide receiver Kekoa Okiyama for a 12-yard touchdown. Then, with one minute left on the clock in the first quarter, Moser threw a 59-yard touchdown to junior Max Cook. The Vikings’ ability to produce on offense in various ways made them untouchable.
“Being able to run and throw the ball, being a dual threat,” Cook said.
Junior linemen Will Lynch made a big play with a sack on Kamiakin’s quarterback on the 16-yard line with 30 seconds left on the clock, keeping them from advancing upfield. This gave the Vikings a quick turnaround to offense. Ending the first quarter with three seconds left on the clock, Moser threw a dime to junior Seth Price for a 45-yard touchdown. The Vikings were able to manipulate the defense to their advantage.
“It was a play action pass, and we ended up getting the safety to come down, and I was able to hit Seth over top for the touchdown,” Moser said.
The second quarter was action-packed. Sophomore Akio Yonesaka made an interception at about the six-minute mark. Okiyama then gained yardage to move upfield, allowing junior Jayvian Ferrell to make a big rushing touchdown to up the score to 26-0.
Lynch caused commotion with an unexpected interception and gain of yardage to put the ball back into the offense’s favor. Ferrell showed off his speed with another huge rushing touchdown. Ferrell had one goal in mind on both touchdown drives.
“Get in the end zone,” Ferrell said.
Junior Kayden Blanchard made a fumble recovery on defense to get the offense rolling again. Senior Grayson Eggers wrapped up the second quarter with a rushing touchdown to bring the score to 40-0.
The Vikings had a tiresome start to the third quarter. Kamiakin scored a passing touchdown to make it 41-6. To switch up the flow, Moser threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Price. The duo was in sync during the game.
“He just trusted me, he put the ball out there and I just ran under it and caught it,” Price said.
In the first play of the fourth quarter, sophomore Deuce Wilson scores a rushing touchdown. Then, to seal the deal, senior Lucas Mooring’s field goal was good. In the final moments of the game, Kamiakin scored a rushing touchdown, making the final score 55-14. Vikings are now 11-0 and advance to quarterfinals, where they will meet the Moses Lake Mavericks at home.
“We are a really good force, and it’s going to be pretty hard to stop us,” Price said.
