Familiar foes meet for Wesco 4A championship

For a third consecutive season, Lake Stevens faces Edmonds-Woodway in a Wesco crossover seeding game, and for the second time in those three seasons it will decide the Wesco 4A championship.

The previous two games have been decided by a total of eight points, with Lake Stevens coming out on top each time.

Defeating the Warriors for a third consecutive season may prove to be the biggest challenge to date. Edmonds-Woodway, ranked seventh in this week’s Associated Press 4A state poll, comes into the game 8-0, having defeated all of its opponents by at least six points — and many by much more than that.

Earlier in the season it seemed a foregone conclusion that the Wesco South champion would be a heavy favorite in the championship game. The Warriors may still be the favorite, but the Vikings have closed the gap.

Lake Stevens (5-3) opened the season losing two of its first three games, but went on to win four of its next five to clinch the No. 1 seed in the North. The Vikings tied Monroe for the league championship, but earned the top seed thanks to their regular-season win over the Bearcats.

Lake Stevens coach Tom Tri said at the beginning of the season many of his players were inexperienced at the varsity level. It showed, with the Vikings losing to Glacier Peak and Marysville Pilchuck in their first two games, before finally getting a victory in Week 3 with a 14-13 win over Oak Harbor.

As it turns out, the Vikings opened their season against three of the area’s best teams. Glacier Peak and Marysville Pilchuck square off for the Wesco 3A championship tonight, while Oak Harbor faces Meadowdale for the Wesco 3A’s No. 3 seed.

“I think those games allowed us to be battle-tested and our guys have just slowly gained more experience and with that experience has come confidence,” Tri said. “We’ve started to jell as a team as a result. But a lot of that had to do with just learning to play together.”

One of the biggest reasons for the Vikings’ improvement has been the elevated play of sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason. Tri said Eason has developed a better understanding of the offense and a good rapport with his receivers. The emergence of Eason has taken pressure of the team’s star running back, senior Austin Otis.

“It just allowed us to be that much more balanced,” Tri said. “Teams couldn’t just key on Austin Otis and the run game and it really opened up so many other things.”

Tri made it clear to his players from Day One that the goal was to win. “The expectation was for us to win the Wesco championship,” he said. “We just felt like we had some talent and we weren’t rebuilding we were reloading. … Whether or not we all believed that, that was the message that we sent and the kids bought in.”

Edmonds-Woodway vs. Lake Stevens

When: Today, 7 p.m. | Where: LSHS Football Field

What’s at stake: The winner earns the District 1 No. 1 seed and hosts the Kingco No. 5 seed, which will be the winner of tonight’s Newport-Woodinville game. The loser is the district No. 2 seed and hosts the South Puget Sound League South No. 3 seed, which will be the loser of tonight’s Federal Way-Curtis game.

Twitter: @heraldnetpreps

Cascade vs. Monroe

When: Today, 7 p.m. | Where: Bearcat Stadium

What’s at stake: Winner earns District 1 No. 3 seed and travels to SPSL North No. 2 seed, which could be Auburn, Auburn-Riverside or Kentwood based on tonight’s games. The loser is the No. 4 seed and travels to the Greater St. Helen’s League No. 1 seed, which is No. 1-ranked Camas.

Kamiak vs. Arlington

When: Today, 7 p.m. | Where: John C. Larson Stadium

What’s at stake: Winner earns District 1 No. 5 seed and travels to Narrows No. 1 seed, which will be the winner of tonight’s Gig Harbor-Bellarmine Prep game.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.