Lake Stevens football player earns lobster dinner from coach

By AARON COE

Herald Writer

Lake Stevens’ Justin Balunstat will soon be feasting on lobster, courtesy of his football coach, Ken Collins. When a Lake Stevens player scores a defensive touchdown, Collins has them over to his house for a lobster dinner.

“I might even throw a steak in for a little surf ‘n turf action,” said Collins. “After all they are football players.

“Justin had a heck of game. When Matt (Williams) got hurt he went in and ran the ball effectively.”

Balunstat also filled in ably at cornerback. His 61-yard interception return gave Lake Stevens its final touchdown in Friday’s 35-14 victory over Arlington, and erased any chance of a comeback by the Eagles.

“Guess I’ll have to fly to Maine,” Collins said.

  • Snohomish girls beat No. 1: The Snohomish girls cross country team bested No. 1-ranked Eisenhower at Saturday’s Sunfair Invitational in Yakima. Snohomish runners finished second (Michelle Christensen), second (Jennifer Moreno), third (Shelby Campbell), fourth (Aimee Spada), fifth (Amanda Mowers), third (Mary Malegesini) and 21st (Jessica Culnane) in the seven varsity flights for a team total of 40 points, nine better than runnerup Eisenhower, the defending Class 4A state champion.

  • Meritorious awards: The Northwest District of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association presented Dave DuVall Awards awards to five individuals at its Sept. 20 executive board luncheon in recognition of their contributions in time and effort to promote extracurricular activities in the district. Bill Hamilton, who recently retired after 30 years an elementary school teacher from the Edmonds School District, received one of the awards. Hamilton was recognized for his part in developing and promoting the outdoor education program still used by the district. Hamilton promoted running among his students and annually formed a running club at his school. He also serves as public address announcer at high school football and basketball games and other events. Other awards were presented to William Berry of radio station KLKI in Anacortes, Dolores Holleman, the athletic secretary at Blaine High School for 28 years; Mickey Irwin, a member of the football chain crew at Ferndale High School for 50 years, and Jim and Paula LaRose, who have worked the clock at Ferndale football games for 29 years.

  • Bruins unleash running game: The first half of Friday’s Oak Harbor at Cascade high school football game demonstrated how dominant the Bruins are capable of being. The team mounted a 28-7 lead and didn’t give up an offensive touchdown.

    Oak Harbor scored on Kevin McMickle’s 41-yard fumble recovery, but Cascade quickly bounced back. Joel Crawford and Jerrell Jenkins would trade off scoring on four touchdowns, with Crawford starting the touchdown runs. Crawford scored on runs of 26 and 80 yards. Jenkins scored on two 4-yard runs.

    Crawford said the coaches had been emphasizing the run in practice.

    “We were successful with the run (tonight),” Crawford said. “The line did a good job blocking.”

  • Scholarship winners: Arlyn Escallona of Cascade and Nicole Hetzer of Kamiak have been awarded $1,000 college scholarships from Mervyn’s California and the Women’s Sports Foundation. Escallona and Hetzer were recognized for their excellence in sports as well as their volunteerism. Escallona, who participates in volleyball, track and gymnastics, plans to attend Washington State next fall. Hetzer, who participated in volleyball, basketball and track, plans to attend Stanford.
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Sports

    The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

    Warriors win battle of division champs.

    Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

    Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

    Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

    The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

    Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
    Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

    The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

    Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

    Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

    Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

    Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

    Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

    Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

    Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

    Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

    Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

    Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

    Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
    No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

    The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

    A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
    Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

    With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

    Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

    Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

    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.