Prep football: Lake Stevens 35, Snohomish 6

SNOHOMISH — “Flipper” was a big hit on the TV screen, but that dolphin was one-dimensional. Duke Dolphin excells on land and in the air.

The Lake Stevens running back scored three touchdowns as the Vikings defeated the Snohomish Panthers 35-6 in a Wesco North high school football game at Snohomish Veterans Memorial Stadium Friday night.

Dolphin scored on two pass receptions and ran for another score, totalling 128 rushing yards on 18 carries and two receptions for 56 yards.

The night started out rocky for the Vikings, as a 67-yard scoring reception from quarterback Jake Nelson to wide receiver Quincy Carroll was negated by a holding penalty.

But Lake Stevens committed only one more penalty, and scored 21 points in the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead at halftime.

Punt returner Brandon Belcher setup Lake Stevens at the Snohomish 31-yard line, shifting the momentum to the Vikings.

Lake Stevens began to utilize its play-action fakes, drawing in Snohomish linebackers and allowing Nelson time to find open receivers down field. Vikings wide receiver Brandon Preslar scored on a 5-yard TD reception from Nelson for a 7-0 lead.

On Snohomish’s ensuing drive, Lake Stevens defensive end Gunnar Eklund pounced on a Panthers fumble. On the next play, Nelson found Carroll streaking down the middle of the field for a 27-yard TD, just a minute and four seconds after its last score.

With Snohomish trailing 14-0, the Panthers dialed up a cornerback blitz, leaving Dolphin open down the sideline. He waved his arms to get the attention of Nelson, hauling in a pass and racing 51 yards for a score.

Dolphin then capped an 8-play, 83-yard drive with a 6-yard rushing TD in the third quarter.

With a 29-0 lead, Nelson play-faked to the right and passed back to the left, finding Dolphin for a 5-yard score just inside the pylon. The score capped a 72-yard, 10-play drive for the Vikings.

With 10 seconds remaining, Snohomish’s Ike Ditzenberger entered the game, taking the snap and running for a 51-yard score, the longest rushing touchdown of the game.

At Snohomish H.S.

Lake Stevens 0 21 8 6 — 35

Snohomish 0 0 0 6 — 6

Lake Stevens—Pressler 5 pass from Nelson (Morgan kick)

Lake Stevens—Carroll 27 pass from Nelson (Morgan kick)

Lake Stevens—Dolphin 51 pass from Nelson (Morgan kick)

Lake Stevens—Dolphin 6 run (kick blocked)

Lake Stevens—Safety from penalty in end zone

Lake Stevens—Dolphin 5 pass from Nelson (pass failed)

Snohomish—Ditzenberger 51 run (no kick)

Records—Lake Stevens 1-0 league, 4-0 overall. Snohomish 0-1, 0-4.