Lake Stevens shocks Eastlake

Published 9:20 pm Saturday, November 19, 2011

SAMMAMISH — Lake Stevens coach Tom Tri preached to his players to get the momentum. They got the message and a playoff victory.

The Vikings recovered two Eastlake fumbles on kickoffs, recorded a safety and lit up the scoreboard en route to a 50-21 victory over the Wolves in a 4A state quarterfinal game at Eastlake High School on Saturday night.

With the victory, Lake Stevens moves on to face perennial contender Skyview in a state semifinal next weekend at the Tacoma Dome.

The Vikings, who led for all but about the game’s first two minutes, got their momentum rolling when Eastlake snapped the ball into the back of the endzone for a safety. The Wolves’ miscue came after their first possession ended in a three-and-out.

“Huge,” Tri said of the safety. “That gave us all the momentum and the confidence.”

Game Recap: 11.19.11 – Lake Stevens Vikings (11-0) @ Eastlake Wolves (10-1) from Game Time Video Productions on Vimeo.

The Vikings scored a touchdown on the their drive after receiving Eastlake’s free kick following the safety and they didn’t let up. They scored on all their first-half drives to lead 36-7 at halftime.

Senior Jake Nelson, who was three-interceptions short of being perfect, led the unrelenting Lake Stevens offense. Nelson completed 19 of 26 passes for 252 yards and rushed 10 times for 75 yards. He threw three touchdown passes, and ran one into the end zone himself.

“We knew we had to get off to a good start,” Nelson said. “50-21. I’d say that’s pretty good.”

Nelson had 186 yards passing and only one incompletion at halftime.

“I’m in awe. He’s been our senior leader all year long,” Tri said. “He does it with his feet, with his arms … Overall that kid is just unbelievable.”

How does a senior quarterback celebrate a big playoff win?

“I’m going home, maybe going to McDonalds and hanging out with my teammates,” Nelson said, grinning.

Everything seemed to be working for Lake Stevens, even on their last offensive play of the game. While running the clock out, the Vikings’ fumbled the ball. Fortunately, Lake Stevens’ junior tight end Ryan Simoneaux was there to not only recover the fumble, but take it 12 yards for one more touchdown, igniting a huge celebration on the Lake Stevens sideline.

The Vikings’ (12-0) offense wasn’t the only contributor to the victory. Lake Stevens’ special teams recovered two fumbles on squib kicks that the Vikings decided to try after seeing it against Olympia, their opponent last week.

After practicing the squib kicks and having remarkable success recovering them in practice on Friday, Tri decided “we’re going to do this.”

The turnovers gave the Vikings the momentum — not to mention, the ball — early in the game as Lake Stevens continued to put up points on Eastlake’s defense.

“We were the underdog,” Tri said. “Everybody picked them.”

Lake Stevens’ defense also came up big in the game. It allowed a touchdown early and a couple late, but for the most part it did a good job of containing Eastlake running back Ryan Lewis (one rushing touchdown) and quarterback Keegan Kemp, who scored twice.

The defesne held on a couple short fourth down attempts by Eastlake in the first half. Neither team punted until the third quarter, with the Wolves continuously going for first downs and touchdowns on fourth down instead of field goals.

“(This win) means an opportunity to still play football in week 13,” an excited Tri said after the game.

At Eastlake High School

Lake Stevens2313014—-50

Eastlake70014—-21

LS-Ball snapped into Eastlake endzone resulting in safety.

LS-Nelson 3 run (Sellars kick)

E-Kemp 6 run (Kilburg kick)

LS-Gasca 37 pass from Nelson (Sellars kick)

LS-Carroll 7 pass from Nelson (Sellars kick)

LS-Giddens 1 run (Sellars kick)

LS-Gasca 37 pass from Nelson (kick blocked)

E-Kemp 53 run (Kilburg kick)

LS-Gasca 15 run (Sellars kick)

E-Lewis 27 run (Kilburg kick)

LS-Simoneaux 13 fumble recovery (Sellars kick)