Thomason, Johnson help Lake Stevens win

By Joe Johnson

Herald Writer

SNOHOMISH – Things weren’t quite business as usual for Western Conference North champion Lake Stevens in its Northwest District playoff game against Shorewood, as the Vikings were without the services of leading rusher Justin Balunsat.

But it didn’t take long for senior Nate Thomason to prove he could handle the rushing duties for the Vikings quite effectively, as he ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries to lead Lake Stevens to a 27-14 victory over the Thunderbirds Tuesday at Snohomish High School.

Balunsat’s defensive replacement also chipped in, as cornerback David Johnson returned a fourth quarter interception 67 yards for a score to give his team a 21-point lead.

With the win, Lake Stevens advances to the first round of the state playoffs on Saturday, and improved its overall record to 8-1. Shorewood finished the year with a 6-4 record.

Along with Thomason’s efforts, the Vikings also got a strong game from quarterback Ken Canham, who completed nine-of-11 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown.

“Thomason needed to have a big game for us and he came through,” Lake Stevens coach Ken Collins said. “And Canham really did a nice job of finding the open receivers and making good throws, especially when we got loose for some big gains. I’m proud of how the whole team played, and this is a good win for us and gets us to state for the second straight year.”

Shorewood took advantage of Lake Stevens’ mistakes to hang close in the first half, but in the third quarter the Vikings got a 3-yard touchdown run from Thomason and a 55-yard touchdown pass from Canham to Johnson to open up a 20-3 advantage.

Collins felt the third quarter was a solid turnaround for his team. “We should have had 21 points at the half,” he said, “and we started to take care of the ball and avoid crucial penalties after halftime. That got us going in the right direction.”

Lake Stevens went to Thomason early and often on its game-opening possession, and the senior responded with 80 yards on four carries, including a 53-yard touchdown run up the middle. Mitch Canham’s PAT put the Vikings up 7-0 at the 9:20 mark of the first quarter.

The Vikings threatened to add to their lead three different times in the first half, but an ill-timed penalty and two turnovers kept Lake Stevens from increasing its advantage.

The first miscue came on Lake Stevens’ second possession, when a holding penalty on fourth down nullified a short touchdown pass. Canham then came up short on a 37-yard field goal attempt following the penalty.

In the second quarter, the Vikings twice drove deep into Shorewood territory, only to fumble the ball away each time. The first turnover came at the Shorewood 16-yard line after a short run by Thomason, and the second came after a pass completion to Kevin Hutchinson to the Shorewood 19-yard line.

The Thunderbirds were able to take advantage of the second turnover. Sophomore running back Seth Setterberg (131 yards on 27 carries) ran for 42 yards on four carries to get the ball past midfield, then quarterback Kevin Young completed two passes for 24 yards to get the ball to the Vikings’ 23-yard line. Two plays later, Kyle Massy booted a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, and Shorewood was within four, down 7-3 at the break.

After being shutout 13-0 in the third quarter, Shorewood cut the Vikings’ lead to 20-6 on a 25-yard field goal by Massy with 8:27 remaining in the game.

Shorewood then held Lake Stevens and got the ball back, but Johnson’s interception return put the Vikings up 27-6. On shorewood’s next possession, Canham picked off a pass from Young to effectively end any hopes of a Shorewood miracle.

The Thunderbirds final score came in the game’s last minute on a 3-yard run by Setterberg and conversion pass from Young to Todd Rheinberger.


Lake Stevens-Thomason 53 run (Canham kick)

Shorewood-FG Massy 40

Lake Stevens-Thomason 3 run (Canham kick)

Lake Stevens-Johnson 55 pass from Canham (kick failed)

Shorewood-FG Massy 25

Lake Stevens-Johnson 67 pass interception return (Canham kick)

Shorewood-Setterberg 3 run (Rheinberger pass from Young)

Records-Lake Stevens 8-1 overall. Shorewood 6-4.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

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.