650: Senior Night Photo Diary
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Fifteen months, over 100,000 visits later, Purple and Gold Pigskin is happy to present out 650th post, and it just so happens to be Rob Carlson's Senior Night Photo Diary. The Vikes beat Snohomish 25-13 and secured a playoff bid at Bethel Saturday.
Seniors Chase Crowley, Garek Stuart, Jordan Eckstrom and Jake Bennett battled for the last time in front of the home crowd. Eckstrom had a particularly great night, leading the Vikings with 17 tackles from his defensive end position and also adding to his team-leading sack total.
Lake Stevens Stadium was sold out, as the community gathered to close down the old stadium, honor the seniors and cheer the Vikes onto a playoff berth.
The Viking Superfans were in full voice, exhorting the Purple and Gold to crush the visiting Panthers.
Lake's explosive senior RB Brennan Frost answered the call and led the Vikings to a victory...
...compiling a Viking single-game record 257 yards on 24 carries, and scoring three touchdowns, including the game-clincher with ten seconds remaining.
At halftime, Viking Hall of Famer Chris Pratt (Everwood, Wanted, Parks and Recreation) presented the honorary 'last ball' to Principal and former coach Ken Collins.
Lake Stevens Journal writer and Purple and Gold Pigskin contributor Mike Anderton was inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame in honor of his 30 years of service as a statistician and game journalist.
Junior Brandon Preslar had a big game, catching eight balls including this long touchdown...
Preslar also carried the ball four times out of the backfield for 30 yards...
...and by the end of the contest, Preslar had secured the Wesco North receptions crown and a likely spot on the All Wesco team.
Sophomore QB Jake Nelson was efficient in his second start, completing 10 of 16 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.
Defensive Coordinator Joe Cronin's Viking defense swarmed the hapless Panther ball carriers, and held Snohomish to just 26 yards rushing in the second half.
Connor Crowley (21) and Jason Mendel (I think!) had solid games patrolling the middle of the field. Mendel had 13 tackles.