Lake Stevens reloaded for big playoff run (Offense)

The Lake Stevens Vikings came up just short in their Washington 4A state title big last season, falling to Sumner in overtime of the championship game.   But with much of the roster returning, and a bad taste still in its mouth, Lake Stevens is once again ready to make a major run.   “It's tough getting all the way to the state championship and losing in overtime to a team you beat in the regular season in a close game," coach Tom Tri said. "But lots of guys are back from last year's group, so we're excited about that.”   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/lake-stevens-reloaded-for-big-playoff-run-defense/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/lake-stevens-reloaded-for-big-playoff-run-defense/">Lake Stevens preview: Defense</a>   Quarterback   All-state quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1969013' first='Blake' last='Moser'] returns and is one of the best arms in the entire state.   “He's a great athletic, very athletic and spreads the ball around to our skill kids and makes the right decision while getting everyone the ball," Tri said. “He's a field general, a team leader, captain of the team. He's very dynamic. He can beat you with his arm, his brain and his legs. He makes great decisions, takes care of the ball and gets it out. Not faired to throw Depp over over the middle. He's an all-around really dynamic quarterback for us.”    Moser holds offers from Montana, Idaho Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona with some interest from Oregon State and Washington State.    Junior-to-be Nolan Nettles is a two-sport star (basketball) and has excellent size at 6-foot-3.   He's one of the best back-up quarterbacks in the state and will be a star when it's his turn.   ‘He would start on 90 percent-plus of the teams in the state," Tri said. "He's athletic enough to play some free safety this year, because we want to get him on the field.”    Running back   Senior-to-be [player_tooltip player_id='1892954' first='Jayvian' last='Ferrell']-Gilkey returns as an all-state performer.   The 5-foot-9, 185-pound back carried the ball 178 times for 1,764 yards and 25 touchdowns, making him one of the state's most productive offensive weapons.   “He's fast, athletic, explosive and strong," Tri said. "He can make you miss in space. Stick his foot in the ground and get vertical.”    Ferrell-Gilkey has offers from Idaho and some NAIA schools, but could see his recruitment jump another tick with a big offseason and start to his senior campaign.   “He's not real big, but he's going to make someone really happy," Tri said. "He can run between the tackles, get to the edge really well and can catch the ball out of the backfield.”    Colten Fink will also get his share of touches and has proven to be an explosive playmaker in his own rite.   “He's another great running back," Tri said. "He's 5-foot-9 1/2, 170 pounds, but lighting quick and good, athletic build. He might play some slot receiver for us this year, too, because he's got great hands and is a great athlete and we want to get him on the field.”    Soon-to-be junior [player_tooltip player_id='987638' first='Akio' last='Yonesaka'] was an all-league nickel/outside ‘backer as a sophomore, but is "a heck of a running back" and has a chance to one special in the coming years.    Wide receiver   Lake Stevens has one of the most compete receiving corps in the state.   "We feel great about this group," Tri said. "It's going to be hard to spread the ball around. We've got to get touches for these guys. We are going to be really balanced, because you can't take away one or two guys from us. We've got size, speed and athleticism. We're going to be balanced and we're probably as deep as we ever have been in my 22 years here.”     Soon-to-be senior [player_tooltip player_id='1679407' first='Seth' last='Price'] is an all-state preformer from a year ago.   He hauled in 56 receptions for 912 receiving yards and 14 scores last season.   “He's bigger and faster than he was last year and we're hoping for big things from him this year," Tri said.   Junior-to-be Max Cook is a 6-foot-3 playmaker who also has a ton of upside.   Last year, he collected 35 receptions for 579 yards and 11 scores.   “He's a stud," Tri said. "He's a track kid and will probably place in the state in the 100 and has the fastest 400 time in the state. He's 6-foot-3, can dunk a basketball forward and backward. He's very athletic.”    Slot receiver/defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='985363' first='Jayden' last='Hollenbeck'] is a 6-foot-2 athlete who could pop this year.   Junior-to-be Deuce Wilson is 5-foot-8, 160-pound playmaker who provides dynamism from the slot.   “He's tiny, but he's elusive, quick with great hands," Tri said. "He high-points the ball really well and makes guys miss in space. We can run some sweep with him because of that speed and elusiveness as well. He's an up-and-comer for sure.”    Tight end   Three-year starter and two-time all-league selection Grayson Eggers graduates, leaving a void.   But there's talent behind him, as Zander Garcia, Logan Campbell, Rylan Kautz will all have a chance to earn playing time.   "We've got three kids that are going to be fighting for that spot," Tri said. "Logan will be a senior, but the other two will be juniors. They are your typical tight end bodies - strong , athletic kids that would be good tight ends on any team. No one has emerged yet, but we haven't had practices yet. We'll be fine at tight end. We'll compete and they'll be weapons we can use.”    Offensive line   Lake Stevens is absolutely loaded in nearly every position group.   But they do have significant questions at both tackle spots.   “We return three of our five starters — all of our interior guys," Tri said. "We have to replace both offensive tackles. That's a little bit of a question mark, but we've got a few young guys that are pretty good.”   [player_tooltip player_id='984903' first='Calvin' last='Middendorf'], a 6-foot-2, 270-pound athlete, started as sophomore last year and will return to play the center position.   “He's a big strong kid," Tri said.   Right guard [player_tooltip player_id='1241961' first='Will' last='Lynch'] has double-digit offers and is verbally committed to Colorado State.   He's one of the best linemen in the entire region.   “He's just mean and nasty," Tri said. "He's a finisher who didn't give up a sack last year. He's a stud for us.”   Left guard Ryder Gobin-Tolintino has shown flashes of upside and should turn the corner this year.   “He's emerging," Tri said. "He's going to be a heck of an offensive line for us. He was a young sophomore for us list year, but he's bigger, faster, stronger with more experience. He'll be an all-league lineman if he stays healthy.”   [player_tooltip player_id='2100467' first='Brayden' last='Slezak'] will factor in somewhere, but it will depend on where the rest of the pieces fall into place.   “He'll start at one of the tackle or guard spots if we move a guard to tackle," Tri said. "He's a captain and a leader who started on defense for us last year.”    The other tackle spot is open with a bunch f young guys all competing for that spot.

The Lake Stevens Vikings came up just short in their Washington 4A state title big last season, falling to Sumner in overtime of the championship game.

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Lake Stevens reloaded for big playoff run (Offense)

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