Prep football: Lake Stevens 52, Mariner 7

LAKE STEVENS — The seniors at Lake Stevens High School celebrated homecoming Friday night with the customary Running with the Chicken at halftime.

In the second half the Vikings football team took the tradition one step farther — by running away with the game.

Lake Stevens shut out Mariner 26-0 in the second half as the Vikings cruised to their third consecutive victory by 45 points or more with a 52-7 Wesco 4A win Friday night at Lake Stevens High School.

“We challenged them a little bit at halftime,” Vikings head coach Tom Tri said. “We were up and we made three mental mistakes in a row … so at halftime we talked about the fact that this game was not over and these guys are a playoff-caliber team and they’re going to come and bring it. We challenged them pretty good at halftime just to come out and play like it’s a fresh game.

“I thought our kids did a real good job answering that.”

Lake Stevens, the No. 5 team in the most recent Associated Press Class 4A state poll, scored the game’s first 26 points, thanks to two touchdown passes by quarterback Jacob Eason, a punt return for a score by Brandon Otis, a safety and a 24-yard field goal by Ignacio Ponce.

But right before the break, Mariner got on the board with a hook-and-ladder play, that saw quarterback Kyle DiLeonardo pass to Junius Fidow, who pitched the ball to Anthany Smith who ran about 18 yards for the score.

The Marauders followed that up by recovering an onside kick but couldn’t get any more points before halftime.

That’s when Tri rallied his team.

“We got kind of relaxed in the second part of the first half, so coach pretty much told us we need to pick it up and we can’t slack anymore,” junior running back Andrew Grimes said. “We’ve got to play to the end of the game and finish.”

Grimes, who finished the game with 135 yards on 14 carries, ran for three scores in the second half and Roderick Jimenez added another touchdown late as the Vikings (5-0 league, 6-1 overall) finished off Mariner.

“Andrew’s been just incredible,” Tri said. “He’s been a workhorse. He’s a tough, grind-it-out, hit-you-in-the-mouth type runner. He runs with a passion. He looks to go and run guys over.”

Mariner (3-2, 3-4) moved the ball well in the opening quarter, using half of the first period to march down the field. But the drive stalled late and the Marauders missed a 37-yard field goal attempt before giving the ball to Lake Stevens, which seized the opportunity.

“The plan was for us to try to keep the football,” Mariner head coach John Ondriezek said. “We started off and ran off the first six minutes of the first quarter and didn’t score and if you’re going to run a 15-play, six-minute drive, you need a score and to get some points.”

Dyonte Law led the Marauders with 17 carries for 109 yards — all in the first half. The senior running back sat out the second half so he would be ready for Mariner’s next two games, against Monroe and Snohomish, which are crucial for its playoff hopes.

“He banged up his knee a little bit and I just made the call that I think it would be best to hold him out so that he’ll be ready to go next week,” Ondriezek said. “It was minor and I think if he would have gone the second half, it could have turned into something worse. He should be fine.”

Ondriezek’s postgame message to his team was to flush the game quickly, so that Mariner — which would make the playoffs if the regular season ended today — can keep its postseason dream alive with key games against Monroe (3-2 in league) and Snohomish (2-3).

“We told the kids, ‘Hey at 12:01 tonight we start thinking about next week,’” Ondriezek said. “‘Cry a little, bleed a little but the season’s not over.’ We’ve got two big games coming up and there’s a fight for a playoff spot. I know they’re working hard to get in so we’ve got to continue to get better and move forward.”

Lake Stevens puts its winning streak on the line next Friday against Kamiak, which boasts an identical 5-0 league mark and a 6-1 overall record.

Tri and the Vikings know they have a big challenge in front of them.

“It’s a huge game,” Tri said. “Both teams will be undefeated in league and we’ll be playing for a Wesco (4A) title. We’ve seen them on film and they’re a great team and well-coached, they play hard and got some athletes. We’re going to have to bring it.”

Lake Stevens 52, Mariner 7

At Lake Stevens H.S.

Mariner0700— 7

Lake Stevens917206—52

LS—Josh Rasmussen 2 pass from Eason (Ignacio Ponce kick)

LS—Mariner punter stepped on back line of the end zone for safety

LS—Tevin Gray 24 pass from Eason (Ponce kick)

LS—Brandon Otis 59 yard punt return (Ponce kick)

LS—Ponce 24 FG

M—Anthany Smith 18 run with lateral after Junius Fidow 1 pass from Kyle DiLeonardo (Katynskiy kick)

LS—Andrew Grimes 28 run (Ponce kick)

LS—Grimes 1 run (kick failed)