Vikings beat Snohomish, set up showdown with Arlington

Published 10:55 pm Friday, September 23, 2011

LAKE STEVENS — Prior to Friday night’s rivalry game with Snohomish, the Vikings football team had been impressive in three non-conference wins.

But Lake Stevens’ goal is the Wesco North crown and the team took its first real step toward that goal by taking down Snohomish 41-20 Friday night.

Vikings coach Tom Tri said he knew that the game would be a battle despite the Panthers winless status, going as far as to write 0-0 for the record on the scouting report for both his team and Snohomish at the beginning of the week.

“Both teams are starting over,” Tri said. “Snohomish is our rival. It’s the stepping stone to ultimately trying to win the league championship. Each week is one more stepping stone.”

Snohomish had a quick first step, jumping out to a quick 7-0 edge with a touchdown drive on the opening possession. But Lake Stevens went on a 38-7 run on the strength of Jake Nelson, who had a hand in all five Vikings touchdowns.

The junior quarterback had a stellar game, completing 22-of-28 passes for 376 yards — 19 yards shy of the school passing record. He tossed three scores all from at least 39 yards and had another eye-popping TD run from 54 yards out. He ended up with 81 yards on the ground. But it was the one interception that stuck with him after the game.

“I can get better,” Nelson said. “I threw another pick. Everyone can get better.”

Snohomish’s Peter St. Marie led both teams with 110 yards on 20 carries and a score. He exposed the undefeated Vikings biggest weakness: run defense. The Vikings lack size up front and Tri said it’s going to take “being a little saltier in the middle.”

“We are going to struggle a bit to stop that inside run,” Tri said. “We know it’s a major priority in practice and we are doing everything we can to get our kids enough scout team looks, but ultimately our team has to get off blocks and make plays.”

The Vikings (1-0 in league, 4-0 overall) will have to improve against the run next week when they take on Arlington. Those clad in purple and gold are already looking forward to the huge showdown next week at Arlington.

“I definitely started thinking about it at the end of the game,” Nelson said. “It’s going to be a huge game. They are good and we’re good it’s going to be a good match up … It will be very hostile. We are trying to bring all of our fans there to try to make it equal because it’s going to be very loud over there.”

Snohomish coach Mark Perry knows his team isn’t going to take the league crown, but he also knows the league’s third playoff spot is still up for grabs.

“We came in, we battled we gave them a good shot for a while there,” Perry said. “Got a few takeaways that kept us in the ballgame … our kids compete hard. They’ve just got to keep fighting. Our goal right now is to get the last one of those three spots.”

A year ago The Panthers only score in this game came on the now famous run by Ike Ditzenberger that made national headlines. The bad news for Panthers fans was that he didn’t get to carry the ball again, despite fourth-quarter chants from fans of “We want Ike.” The good news is the team was much more competitive than it was a year ago.

The game was part of a doubleheader organized by Vikings girls soccer coach Andy Knutson. Lake Stevens beat Snohomish in that one 1-0.

At Lake Stevens H.S.

Snohomish 7 7 0 6 — 20

Lake Stevens 14 10 14 3 — 41

S–St. Marie 24 run (Melander kick)

L–Pahukoa 39 pass from Nelson (Sellars kick)

L–Nelson 8 run (Sellars kick)

S–Crippen 12 run (Melander kick)

L–Nelson 54 run (Sellars kick)

L–FG Sellars 22

L–Gasca 43 pass from Nelson (Sellars kick)

L–Pahukoa 42 pass from Nelson (Sellars kick)

S–Crippen 24 run (run failed)

L–FG Sellars 30

Records–Snohomish (0-1 league, 0-4 overall). Lake Stevens (1-0, 3-0)