Generational Run? Lake Stevens Cruises to Quarterfinals, Blasting Kamiakin 55-14
Viks welcome unbeaten #7 Moses Lake to LSHS Saturday, 4 pm kickoff. Also: Viking offense led by incandescent Blake Moser scoring at unprecedented rate. Stats, highlights, interview w/ Coach Tri.
LAKE STEVENS — After winning two consecutive 4A State Championships in 2022 and 2023, the program’s first and second titles, respectively, the Viks came up a little short last season, bowing out in the quarterfinals to Chiawana.
And given the circumstances, those who thought that the title run was over… can be forgiven.
“It’s state playoffs. It’s kill or be killed. We gotta find a way to keep the throttle down and keep going.”
- Lake Stevens Head Coach Tom Tri
After all, 2022 was the first title in the program’s 70+ year history, and after graduating stalwarts like Kolton Matson, Jayshon Limar, Keegan Howard and others, it appeared (to those on the outside, at least) that a downturn was inevitable.
The Classes of 2026-28 had other ideas, as the current varsity squad, comprised of players from these classes, has put together a season as good as any before it. And as a result, instead of a window closing, a garage-door sized gap has presented itself with the 11-0 Lake Stevens Vikings now three wins away from a third 4A title in four seasons.
A season that started back on the first weekend of September — with new Lake starters knocking off reigning champ Sumner in Lake Stevens, on the last scrimmage play of the night — has now progressed two rounds into the loser-out WIAA state 4A playoffs, and alongside #3 Gonzaga Prep and #1 Puyallup - Lake remains one of just three unbeaten teams.
The manner in which Lake has strung together win after win has made it apparent to Viking fans that — in his 21st year at the helm — Tom Tri’s Lake Stevens Vikings are on the cusp of a generational run led by an incandescent junior quarterback whose talents have never shown brighter than during a 55-14 shellacking of the 9-2 Kamiakin Braves.
So swiftly does the Blake Moser-led offense strike, the team has actually suffered from an unbalanced time of possession statistic for much of the season, leaving Eric Dinwiddie’s defense to man the majority of the scrimmage plays each week.
Why is that? Because it’s impossible to keep the ball long when you’re ripping off explosive plays on after another.
Lake’s Quick Strike Attack Led by Moser’s Bunker-Busting Bombs
The Viking attack has the ability to descend upon a seemingly-close contest and reign down destruction on opposing defenses like a MERV ballistic missile deploying multiple weapons across the horizon, igniting the type of chain-explosion that kept Oppenheimer up at nights.
To wit, with 5:00 left in the first quarter Saturday, the score was locked at 0-0, Kamiakin had the ball, the Viks had turned it over twice and the capable announcing team at STSPN was prepping its viewership for a back and forth war of attrition.
We repeat, with 3:00 left in the 1Q, the game was tied at zero.
From that point forward, it took Lake Stevens a total of 12 offensive snaps covering just 1:52 of game time to cover 274 yards and score 41 points.
That’s zero-to-running-clock-blowout in the blink of an eye. To paraphrase Drake, they go zero to 100 reeeeallll quick. At 2:40 in the 1Q, Blake Moser hit Kekoa Okiyama from 10 yards out to open the scoring. After a missed extra point, it was 6-0 Viks, 2:40 1Q.
Here’s how the next several drives played out:
Kamiakin: three and out.
Lake Stevens: 1 play 58 yard drive lasting 14 seconds (Moser to Max Cook, 58-yard TD). 13-0 Lake, 1:00 1Q.
Kamiakin: three and out. Punts to Lake Stevens, fair caught with 3.2 seconds left in the first quarter.
Lake Stevens: 1 play 41 yard drive lasting 3.1 seconds (Moser to Seth Price, 41 yards) 20-0 Lake Stevens, end first quarter.
Kamiakin: Five plays and a punt.
Lake Stevens: 3 play 54 yard drive lasting 1:01 (Jayvian Ferrell 11-yard TD run) 27-0 Lake Stevens 6:33 2Q
Kamiakin: intercepted on second play of drive.
Lake Stevens: 2 play 42 yard drive lasting 26 seconds. (Ferrell 36-yard run) 34-0 Lake Stevens 2:00 2Q.
Kamiakin: fumble on first scimmage play after kickoff.
Lake Stevens 2 plays 32 yards lasting 18 seconds (Grayson Eggers 14-yard TD catch from Moser) 41-0 1:11 2Q (running clock engaged)
Tri Enjoying Dominant Viking Run
With Lake Stevens now leading 41-0 at halftime, here’s what Tom Tri told STSPN:
Octegenarian Sideline Guy (Ron “The Wedge” Henthorne): “You had a couple long plays there. What happened there?”
Tom Tri: “What do you mean ‘what happened there?’ We drew the play up and our kids executed.”
And in the old days, that would’ve been the end of that interview, the old guy left mumbling at his notebook, the guys in the booth chuckling. uncomfortably at the Wedge’s awkward repartee.
But this is Generational Run Tom Tri, he can afford to help out his fellow football afficianado!
He softened his “what do you mean?” retort into a friendly jab, an inside joke tempered with a smile and a laugh. Suddenly “The Wedge” was alive again, realizing that his question must’ve landed, the tough-as-nails hard ass coach was ..what?…grinning at him? And before you knew it, old Wedge was back in the interview, going for a third question-ish statement.
“I noticed they were outrunning the defenders…”
“You can’t coach speed,” Tri agreed.
Several good natured back and forths ensued in this mutual admiration club, with Coach Tri finally dropping this banger on the Wedge before heading to the locker room:
“It’s state playoffs. It’s kill or be killed. We gotta find a way to keep the throttle down and keep going.”
An old pro like Ron “The Wedge” Henthorne knew better then to step on that gem. He tossed it back to the guys in the booth, where they marveled at the old Tiger’s skill.
PxP: “NOBODY gets Tom Tri talking like “The Wedge!”
Analyst: “That’s the most I’ve heard Tom give us, ever! You know he’s feeling good!
And you know what? It’s hard to argue with the guys.
In 21st Campaign, Lake’s Tri Finding His Pace
Although J425 has always found Coach Tri to be welcoming, engaging and generous with his time.
Continue through jump for Tom Tri podcast, post game interview, highlights of Saturday’s touchdowns, news from the rest of the 4A bracket and the official box score and stats from Lake’s 55-14 home win.
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