Another 4th-quarter win for L. Stevens

LAKE STEVENS – When you turn the ball over five times and give up 21 points off of three of those turnovers, you usually don’t go home happy.

The Lake Steven Vikings did all of the above, but were still able to go home happy thanks to an exciting 24-21 victory over the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles Saturday at Lake Stevens High School.

The game was delayed twice because the lights went out, once before the game had begun and once midway through the third quarter.

Vikings running back Isaac Molstre could’ve been blamed for the delay.

Molstre was lights out, rushing 22 times for 244 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Vikings to the 4A Quad-District win.

Lake Stevens (8-2 overall) has now won six straight, three of those coming on fourth-quarter comebacks.

“We’re the cardiac kids,” Lake Stevens head coach Tom Tri said.

The Vikings trailed 21-17 heading into the fourth quarter. But that didn’t stop Tri from feeling confident about his team’s chances.

“I really felt like we were going to score,” Tri said.

After stopping the Eagles on five plays, the Vikings got the ball back and quickly drove down the field.

Fullback Dane Gilbertson ran 25 yards for a first down, backup quarterback Nick Baker hit David McMurray on a quick slant for 29 yards and Molstre ran 16 more yards for another Lake Stevens first down.

Molstre’s next run was his biggest of the night.

The junior back cut through the Eagles’ defense and spun his way into the end zone for a 30-yard score, putting the Vikings up for good at 24-21 and igniting the capacity crowd at Lake Stevens high.

“I’m really glad the Snohomish and Oak Harbor game turned out the way they did because I think our kids really learned how to win. We don’t get too high when we’re ahead and we don’t get too low,” Tri said.

Molstre, who also ran for scores of 15 and 48 yards, was knocked out of a series earlier in the third quarter but talked his coach into putting him back into the game.

“He’s so awesome,” Tri said.

“How do you describe a kid like that? He’s got great vision he’s fast and he’s tough as nails.”

Also knocked out of the game was Vikings starting quarterback Paxton Paynter. Paynter was limping on the sidelines with a sore ankle, his status is unknown for next week’s game.

Baker, a sophomore, replaced Paynter and had 24 yards passing.

McMurray had another big game for the Vikings with three catches for 102 yards.

The Eagles scored all 21 of their points off of Vikings turnovers.

Reciever Ryan Major had two catches for 22 yards, both for TDs.

J.T. Albers rushed 19 times for 68 yards.

Graham-Kapowsin was also forced to play a sophomore quarterback.

Starter Austin Burton was knocked out of the game in the third quarter, his replacement, Jeff Logan threw for a TD and 36 yards.

Lake Stevens’ season continues next week against Bothell.

At Lake Stevens H.S.

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Lake Stevens-Molstre 48 run (Steinruck kick)