Snohomish triumphs

LAKE STEVENS — Standing on the muddy field afterwards, Snohomish football coach Mark Perry paused to reflect.

Not on the end, but on what he considered the beginning for his team in its drive towards the district playoffs.

"The most important moment was when we went into the overtime," Perry said. "Every one of our players was holding hands on the sideline. At that point they decided to play the game. Seeing that piece I think I got a tear in my eye. I thought ‘You guys are finally gonna get there."

Snohomish forced turnovers on each of Lake Stevens’ possessions in the Kansas tiebreaker and celebrated a crucial 13-10 Western Conference North Division double-overtime victory over the Vikings when Ace Younggren booted a game-ending 22-yard field goal Friday night.

Snohomish was thwarted on its possession in the first overtime when Younggren’s 33-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright.

Lake Stevens took over at the 25-yard line. On third and 12 from the 27, Josh Roberts’ second interception of the game stopped the Vikings.

Lake Stevens had first possession in the second overtime, but lost a fumble on first down.

On its second chance Snohomish used five runs by Casey Fortin to get the ball down to the Lake Stevens five. On fourth down Younggren kicked the Panthers to a 5-1 North Division record (6-2 overall). Lake Stevens fell precariously close to elimination from the playoff battle at 4-2, 5-3.

"I knew my team would put it in the end zone or get me back out there," Younggren said of his second attempt.

Perry had no doubts Younggren would bounce back after the first miss.

"He made kicks from 50 and 47 yards in practice this week," Perry said. "Right down the middle, so we had all the confidence in the world in him."

Snohomish jumped out to a 7-0 lead when Pat Job scampered to the near the right sideline and then cut back left on a 31-yard touchdown run on the final play of the first quarter. The run capped a 10-play, 65-yard drive.

"I thought I was gonna sink on that play," Job said. "This is just the best feeling in the world. I was up high, down low and back up again. It’s not good for my heart."

Lake Stevens took a 10-7 lead with 2:51 remaining in the third quarter when Bargreen completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Josh Rojas. Rojas also had an interception in the game.

Younggren’s 22-yard field goal with 6:36 to play in regulation knotted the score at 10-10.

Lake Stevens had a chance to win as time expired but Willem Jongejan 27-yard field goal attempt missed left. Jongejan, one of the top kickers in Wesco, boomed numerous punts that helped the Vikings maintain superior field position for much of the game. Jongejan also had a touchdown saving tackle on a 38-yard kickoff return by the Panthers Beau Siegel.

Fortin carried 31 times for 115 yards. The Panthers got a lift from defensive back Kevin Rodland who knocked away two potential touchdown passes and had numerous tackles in his second varsity start.

Lake Stevens was led on offense by Myakel Sundby who rushed for 89 yards on 23 carries.

"I think my team fought as hard as they’ve had to fight all year," Perry said. "We stayed alive, but we’ve got to play two more tough games."