Cameron Van Til

Lake Stevens' Micah Avery, left-right, Ashten Hendrickson, Grant Lynch, Dylan Slezak and Bryce Slezak are the starting offensive linemen for Lake Stevens state championship run. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Unsung O-line plays key role in Lake Stevens’ run to title game

Smaller and less experienced than usual, the Vikings’ offensive line has still found ways to excel.

Lake Stevens' Micah Avery, left-right, Ashten Hendrickson, Grant Lynch, Dylan Slezak and Bryce Slezak are the starting offensive linemen for Lake Stevens state championship run. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Lake Stevens' Drew Carter holds up the ball after scoring a touchdown to secure the win as Lake Stevens beat Eastlake 45-28 in a 4A state semi-final football game at Pop Keeney Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 in Bothell, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Lake Stevens downs Eastlake to reach 4A state title game

The Vikings win 45-28 and will face Graham-Kapowsin for the state championship next weekend.

Lake Stevens' Drew Carter holds up the ball after scoring a touchdown to secure the win as Lake Stevens beat Eastlake 45-28 in a 4A state semi-final football game at Pop Keeney Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 in Bothell, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Marysville-Pilchuck running back Dylan Carson creaks away from Yelm defensive back Marius Alone for a touchdown run during Saturday afternoon’s 3A football state quarterfinal game at Yelm High School in Yelm, Washington, on Nov. 20, 2021. Marysville-Pilchuck won the game, 39-21.

3A state semifinal preview: Marysville Pilchuck vs. Bellevue

It’s déjà vu for the Tomahawks, who face perennial power Bellevue in a rematch of the 2014 semifinals.

Marysville-Pilchuck running back Dylan Carson creaks away from Yelm defensive back Marius Alone for a touchdown run during Saturday afternoon’s 3A football state quarterfinal game at Yelm High School in Yelm, Washington, on Nov. 20, 2021. Marysville-Pilchuck won the game, 39-21.
Lake Stevens' Trayce Hanks eludes defenders during a 4A state quarterfinal game against Gonzaga Prep on Nov. 20, 2021, at Lake Stevens High School. (John Gardner / Pro Action Image)

4A state semifinal preview: Lake Stevens vs. Eastlake

After their Week 1 matchup was canceled, the Vikings and Wolves meet in a semifinal clash of unbeatens.

Lake Stevens' Trayce Hanks eludes defenders during a 4A state quarterfinal game against Gonzaga Prep on Nov. 20, 2021, at Lake Stevens High School. (John Gardner / Pro Action Image)
Lake Stevens' Grayson Murren competes against O'Dea High School in Seattle on September 17, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Lake Stevens standout QB ‘so glad’ to be back from injury

After an injury threatened to end his senior season, Grayson Murren is leading the Vikings’ offense again.

Lake Stevens' Grayson Murren competes against O'Dea High School in Seattle on September 17, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Lake Stevens' Jayden Limar leaps for a catch over a Gonzaga Prep defender during a 4A state quarterfinal game on Nov. 20, 2021, at Lake Stevens High School. (John Gardner / Pro Action Images)

Lake Stevens shuts down Gonzaga Prep to reach 4A state semis

Jayden Limar runs for four TDs and the Vikings silence the Bullpups 35-14 in the state quarterfinals.

Lake Stevens' Jayden Limar leaps for a catch over a Gonzaga Prep defender during a 4A state quarterfinal game on Nov. 20, 2021, at Lake Stevens High School. (John Gardner / Pro Action Images)
Lake Stevens running back Jayden Limar carries the ball during a 4A state playoff game against Richland on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Lake Stevens. (John Gardner / Pro Action Image)

4A state quarterfinal preview: Lake Stevens vs. Gonzaga Prep

The Vikings host Gonzaga Prep in a 4A quarterfinal showdown of unbeaten state title contenders.

Lake Stevens running back Jayden Limar carries the ball during a 4A state playoff game against Richland on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Lake Stevens. (John Gardner / Pro Action Image)
Glacier Peak’s Ashton Olson yells while celebrating a touchdown during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

3A state quarterfinal preview: Marysville Pilchuck vs. Yelm

The Tomahawks and their high-powered rushing attack travel to face unbeaten Yelm in the 3A quarters.

Glacier Peak’s Ashton Olson yells while celebrating a touchdown during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville-Pilchuck's Dylan Carson is tackled by Glacier Peak’s Reggie Valmonte during the game on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Like a machine’: MP’s rushing attack has been nearly unstoppable

Marysville Pilchuck’s explosive ground attack has left opponents in the dust and lit up the scoreboard.

Marysville-Pilchuck's Dylan Carson is tackled by Glacier Peak’s Reggie Valmonte during the game on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mary Clarke swims in the 100 Yard Freestyle during the 3A Girls State Swim & Dive Championship on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Federal Way, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Pair of local sophomores win titles at state swim and dive

Snohomish’s Mary Clarke wins the 3A 50 freestyle and Kamiak’s Claire Smith takes the 4A butterfly crown.

Mary Clarke swims in the 100 Yard Freestyle during the 3A Girls State Swim & Dive Championship on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Federal Way, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Glacier Peak's Joe Johnson and a coach react to losing to Bothell and being knocked out of the playoffs on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Glacier Peak blows big lead in crushing state loss to Bothell

The Grizzlies squander a 21-point lead and suffer a 49-35 season-ending loss in a 4A state opener.

Glacier Peak's Joe Johnson and a coach react to losing to Bothell and being knocked out of the playoffs on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville-Pilchuck's Dylan Carson is tackled by multiple Arlington players during the game on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Arlington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Dominant defense keys Arlington’s run to 3A state playoffs

The Eagles enter the state playoffs with a suffocating defense that allows just 7.6 points per game.

Marysville-Pilchuck's Dylan Carson is tackled by multiple Arlington players during the game on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Arlington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Glacier Peak's Konner Meyer, left, celebrates Glacier Peak's Caden Skibiel's interception and return for a touchdown Thursday evening at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell on September 16, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Glacier Peak's Konner Meyer, left, celebrates Glacier Peak's Caden Skibiel's interception and return for a touchdown Thursday evening at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell on September 16, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Stanwood's Olivia Rueckert, left to right, Mallory Duffy and Mischa Kessler celebrate a point against Arlington Thursday evening during the 3A District volleyball playoffs at Marysville-Pilchuck High School on November 11, 2021.            
(Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Stanwood volleyball tops Arlington again, clinches state berth

In another 5-set thriller between the rivals, the Spartans prevail in a tense district semifinal.

Stanwood's Olivia Rueckert, left to right, Mallory Duffy and Mischa Kessler celebrate a point against Arlington Thursday evening during the 3A District volleyball playoffs at Marysville-Pilchuck High School on November 11, 2021.            
(Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish's Mary Clark competes in the 50 Yard Freestyle during the swim meet against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

State girls swim preview: Top local swimmers, divers, teams

A look at the top local contenders in this weekend’s girls swim and dive state championships.

Snohomish's Mary Clark competes in the 50 Yard Freestyle during the swim meet against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens running back Jayden Limar (right) eludes a tackle on his way to a touchdown during a playoff game against Emerald Ridge on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Lake Stevens High School. (John Gardner/Pro Action Image)

Even without star QB, Lake Stevens football keeps on rolling

Despite losing standout quarterback Grayson Murren to injury, the Vikings keep finding ways to win.

Lake Stevens running back Jayden Limar (right) eludes a tackle on his way to a touchdown during a playoff game against Emerald Ridge on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Lake Stevens High School. (John Gardner/Pro Action Image)
Arlington’s Brandon Moore (552), competes in the WIAA state 3A boys cross country tournament on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, Wash. (TJ Mullinax/for The Herald)

Arlington’s Moore takes 2nd at 3A state cross country meet

The senior caps a stellar finish to his career with a medal; Snohomish’s Paige Gerrard places sixth.

Arlington’s Brandon Moore (552), competes in the WIAA state 3A boys cross country tournament on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, Wash. (TJ Mullinax/for The Herald)
Arlington's mens cross country finished first District 1 3A Championships at Lakewood High School in Arlington on October 30, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Arlington boys cross country found recipe for success

Over the past decade, the Eagles’ boys program has gone from doormat to perennial 3A state power.

Arlington's mens cross country finished first District 1 3A Championships at Lakewood High School in Arlington on October 30, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish sophomore Paige Gerrard (left) and Stanwood senior Leia Jones are among the top local runners to watch in Saturday’s state cross country championships. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

State cross country preview: Top local runners, teams to watch

A look at some of the top local runners and teams heading to Pasco for Saturday’s state championships.

Snohomish sophomore Paige Gerrard (left) and Stanwood senior Leia Jones are among the top local runners to watch in Saturday’s state cross country championships. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Glacier Peak's Trey Leckner rushes with Snohomish's Brayden Ulrich attempting a tackle Friday night at Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Snohomish September 3, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

A look at prep football’s Week 10 winner-to-state playoffs

A preview of every winner-to-state matchup this week involving local high school football teams.

Glacier Peak's Trey Leckner rushes with Snohomish's Brayden Ulrich attempting a tackle Friday night at Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Snohomish September 3, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)