EVERETT — Everett Coach Will Soren’s offensive philosophy differs from that of most high schools. While most schools run the ball at least 60 percent of the time, the Seagulls threw almost as often as they ran Friday night, with 26 rush attempts and 25 pass attempts.
With quarterback Brice Herrick connecting with 64 percent of his targets though, going against the grain works just fine.
Herrick threw for 234 yards with two touchdown passes in the Seagulls’ 31-14 Wesco North victory over Lake Stevens at Everett Memorial Stadium.
“Offensively we stepped up and made key third downs,” Soren said.
The Seagulls came out running on all cylinders, building momentum and capitalizing on it. In the early going, it looked like a blowout as the Seagulls were able to systematically move down the field and force mistakes out of the Vikings.
Lake Stevens was able to gain momentum of its own though in the second half, but fell short of a feasible comeback.
Everett struck first with a 45-yard drive, capped off with a 3-yard Brent Swezey run up the middle.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Vikings tried some trickery, lateralling the ball inside their own 10 but ended up fumbling and turning the ball over on their own 9-yard line. Three plays later, the Vikings were behind 14-0.
The problems continued on the Vikings’ next drive. After some success on the ground, they were ready to go for it on fourth-and-1 but had consecutive false starts, forcing a punt. Everett again marched down the field and was able to score on the first play of the second quarter, giving the Seagulls a 21-0 lead.
The Seagulls had one more score before the Vikings were able to get points of their own on the board. That came with six minutes, 42 seconds remaining in the second quarter when Rendel Jones was able to break multiple tackles and take it in for an 8-yard score.
The Vikings got off the sly and put together a scoring drive of their own on their next drive, gaining more than 50 yards and leaving only a minute on the clock for the Seagulls before halftime.
The Vikings got the ball to start the second half but made little of it. Penalties and sacks had the Vikings looking at third down and 33 yards to go before a 6-yard Bo Dickinson run put them in a fourth-down punting situation.
The rest of the third quarter went back and forth with the Vikings slowly wearing down the Seagulls’ defense. Then, just over a minute into the fourth quarter, the Vikings were able to score and get the two-point conversion making it 28-14. After a failed onside kick, the Seagulls ate up the clock with a five-plus minute drive, ending with a Chase Herrick field goal.
“Late in the game (the Seagulls) hung tough,” Soren said.
The Vikings’ last-ditch effort was spoiled as they twice were penalized for holding. Then on fourth-and-14, with a minute and a half remaining, Nick Baker’s pass fell incomplete and the Seagulls took a knee and ran out the clock.
Herrick’s most popular target was Swezey, who had four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Swezey was also the most productive rusher with 19 yards on seven carries.
“He’s a great athlete. He works hard. He takes hits,” Soren said.
At Everett Memorial Stadium
Lake Stevens0608—14
Everett141403—31
Everett—Swezey 3 run (C. Herrick kick)
Everett—Jones 8 pass from B. Herrick (C. Herrick kick)
Everett—Carson 1 run (C. Herrick kick)
Everett—Schaller 9 pass from B. Herrick (C. Herrick kick)
L. Stevens—Baker 4 run (kick failed)
L. Stevens—Taupen 11 pass from Baker (Dickinson pass from Baker)
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