Lake Stevens established a commanding 21-7 lead over Glacier Peak early in the second quarter at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Friday. However, the Grizzlies found momentum after a defensive push turned a long fourth-down situation into a first-and-goal scenario from the 38-yard line. Senior Maxwell Bridges capitalized on the opportunity with a 14-yard sweep, putting points on the board and energizing the Glacier Peak offense.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Lake Stevens senior Will Lynch recovered a fumble. Following a first play by Glacier Peak, safety Nolan Nettles blocked the ball carrier, but the play remained live. Lynch, believing a whistle had sounded, began to walk before realizing the ball was still in play. He accelerated from the pile and carried the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.
This score extended the Vikings' lead to three possessions. Lake Stevens coach Tom Tri noted that the fumble return broke the game open. He observed that the Grizzlies had started to feel they could mount a comeback after gaining a first down, but the sudden shift to a 28-7 deficit drained their energy. Tri stated that the Vikings maintained the upper hand from that point, focusing on protecting the ball and playing hard.
The Vikings dominated across all phases of the game, securing a final score of 55-7. The victory improved Lake Stevens' record to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in league play, while Glacier Peak fell to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the league.
Senior running back Jayvian Ferrell was the offensive standout, rushing for 241 yards and four touchdowns on only nine carries. The defense contributed two takeaways, and special teams added pressure, with senior Ryan McKenna’s squib kicks leading to a muffed recovery. Junior Xander Garcia recorded an interception and recovered a fumble on a botched punt by the Grizzlies.
Senior quarterback Blake Moser played efficiently, completing nine of 10 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Seth Price caught two of those passes. Ferrell’s performance was highlighted by a 33-yard run to open the night and a 67-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
Moser praised Ferrell’s development, stating that the running back has become twice as fast and strong as last year, while also improving his intelligence on the field. He described Ferrell as an FBS-caliber player who has improved in every aspect of his game.
Lake Stevens Opens With Touchdown, Defense Limits Glacier Peak
A Lake Stevens running back showcased his physical dominance on the opening possession, capping a seven-play, 80-yard drive with an eight-yard rushing touchdown. The score gave the Vikings a 7-0 advantage just 1:30 into the contest. The play highlighted the athlete's ability to overpower defenders, though his vision and receiving skills also contributed to the offense's success.
Glacier Peak quarterback Oliver Setterberg completed his first five passes, driving the Grizzlies down the field. A junior quarterback rolled to his right after a fake handoff to find senior tight end Zach Albright in the back corner of the end zone for a 13-yard score.
Following the initial exchange, the Grizzlies offense stalled. A Vikings head coach noted that the defensive line pressured the quarterback until he became nervous, while the secondary successfully manned up in coverage. After adjusting their man coverage, Lake Stevens allowed only two more completions for the remainder of the game. Glacier Peak finished with 59 passing yards and approximately 100 rushing yards.
Lake Stevens quarterback Moser connected with senior Logan Campbell and Ferrell for gains of 29 and 33 yards. Moser then found Price over the middle for a two-yard touchdown pass with 4:09 remaining in the first quarter.
After forcing a punt, Moser evaded a sack by finding junior Deuce Wilson for a 7-yard gain as a defender approached. Moser stated he knew he would take a hit after seeing a receiver release upfield. He then threw a screen to Price for a 29-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21-7.
A Vikings player recovered a fumble on the subsequent drive. Ferrell increased the lead to 35-7 with a 51-yard rushing touchdown, redeeming a drop on a trick play moments earlier. He added another score from 39 yards out on a later possession, slowing at the 10-yard line to evade one defender and using a spin move at the five to reach the end zone.
A Lakes Stevens teammate expressed admiration for the running back's performance, stating that there is no better feeling than blocking for him on the way to a score. The teammate noted the running back has been a standout player since their freshman year.
A botched punt by Glacier Peak set up another Lake Stevens touchdown, as Moser threw a 49-yard pass to Wilson. Despite a missed extra point, the Vikings led 48-7 with 1:19 left in the half. The second half proceeded under a running clock, concluding with Ferrell's 67-yard touchdown run.
The intensity of the high-stakes 4A rivalry contest persisted well into the final minutes, prompting officials to repeatedly summon the head coaches and team captains to the center of the field to manage the heated atmosphere. Even though the final score indicated a decisive victory for one side, the on-field friction remained significant throughout the contest.
Tri, a coach, noted that players from both squads were exchanging sharp words, a dynamic that demanded immediate correction. Despite his presence on the sideline, Tri admitted he struggled to pinpoint the exact source of the verbal exchanges, leaving him somewhat uncertain about the specific triggers behind the outbursts.
With the regular season’s toughest competition now concluded, the Vikings intend to secure their remaining wins to prepare for the upcoming postseason. The coaching staff maintains a rigorous standard, ensuring the team does not relax its efforts.
Moser, a player, explained that the staff immediately imposes running drills whenever the players’ focus wanes. He referenced recent sessions, such as those held during "Jackson week," where lapses in intensity resulted in frequent sprinting assignments. However, Moser observed that the group has recently sharpened its concentration, choosing to focus exclusively on their own performance rather than external factors.
The team is not concerned by its upcoming regular-season opponents, as it recognizes its superior standing relative to those rivals. Instead, the players are mentally preparing for the playoff run. Their attention is particularly fixed on Puyallup, a team they plan not to forget after that squad’s dramatic 43-42 overtime victory over Lake Stevens on Sept. 18, a game that ended with Puyallup players storming the field in celebration.