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Lake Stevens’ Tom Tri and Graham-Kapowsin’s Eric Kurle have been coaching nearly two decades at their respective programs - and have gotten close to bringing home the gold ball.

Close ends Saturday.

One of these veterans will finally get to taste state-championship glory after the second-ranked Vikings take on No. 1 Graham-Kapowsin at Mount Tahoma Stadium.

“I think Tom would say the same thing - it’s tough to win a state title,” said Kurle, whose only other trip to the state finals was with Bethel in 2000, losing to Pasco. “He’s won a lot of games. We’ve won a lot of games. But this is the goal - go as far as you can and win a state title.”

Over a four-year stretch (2015-18), these two programs bumped into each other three times in the state playoffs. Lake Stevens won in 2015 and 2018, both in the state quarterfinals. The Eagles won a first-round matchup in 2016.

A common dominator in all of those games? Lots of talent on both sides, including a pair of Pacific-12 Conference quarterbacks in Jacob Eason at Lake Stevens, and Dylan Morris at Graham-Kapowsin.

“Yeah, we are familiar with them,” Tri said. "They’ve had a very strong, consistent program for years."

This fall, both programs - while undefeated - have taken vastly different paths to the state championship game.

Except for its 4A quarterfinal game against Bothell, Graham-Kapowsin hasn’t really been tested, led by Eastern Washington University quarterback signee Joshua Wood, a dual threat.

The biggest reason for that is … well, its big pieces. The Eagles have offensive and defensive lines made up mostly of college-bound players, led by offensive tackle/defensive end Vega Ioane (UW commit) and two-time 4A SPSL defensive line MVP Curtis Hill (Idaho State commit).

“They are as well-rounded as anybody we’ve played all year - starting with the offensive and defensive lines,” Tri said. “They are massive and physical, and that defensive line moves well to the ball.”

Lake Stevens has to attack on the outside with wide receivers Drew Carter and Trayce Hanks, and running back Jayden Limar. This is arguably the best set of skill-position players Graham-Kapowsin has faced all season.

“We’ve got to be able to tackle on the perimeter,” Kurle said.

Lake Stevens has had to endure a run of misfortune, starting with its season being delayed because of a COVID-19 pause. Its first two games were cancelled.

And the Vikings have had to deal with injuries, especially to quarterback Grayson Murren (leg, shoulder), who has been in and out of the lineup.

Yet, Lake Stevens has kept the train on the tracks.

“They recognize it can all be take away from us at any moment,” Tri said. “But they trust one another. That has really been the magic of this.

“One of us definitely deserves to win this Saturday. I hope it is us.”

CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

NO. 3 SEED LAKE STEVENS VIKINGS (11-0) vs. NO. 1 SEED GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN EAGLES (13-0)

4 p.m. Saturday at Mount Tahoma Stadium, Tacoma

Coaches: Tom Tri is in his 17th season at Lake Stevens (142-42 record). Eric Kurle is in his 17th season at Graham-Kapowsin (157-41 record).

WIAA championship history: Neither school has won a state title.

Road to 2021 Gridiron Classic: Third-seeded Lake Stevens defeated No. 14 seed Richland in the first round (52-7), No. 6 seed Gonzaga Prep in the quarterfinals (35-14) and No. 2 seed Eastlake in the semifinals (46-29). Top-seeded Graham-Kapowsin defeated No. 16 seed Kentwood in the first round (49-7), No. 9 seed Bothell in the quarterfinals (41-25) and No. 4 seed Kamiakin in the semifinals (42-0).

Statistical leaders: For Lake Stevens – QB Grayson Murren (116-159, 1,849 yards, 20 TDs), RB Jayden Limar (192 carries, 1,470 yards, 19 TDs; 23 catches, 368 yards, four TDs), WR Drew Carter (65 catches, 1,112 yards, 15 TDs), WR Trayce Hanks (53 carries, 612 yards, seven TDs; 36 catches, 586 yards, six TDs; and four INT on defense) and LB Madison Wynkoop (126 tackles, 21 TFL or no gain). For Graham-Kapowsin – QB Joshua Wood (147-205, 2,197 yards, 33 TDs; 45 carries, 450 yards, eight TDs), RB Zackary Lee (96 carries, 1,093 yards, nine TDs), RB Jalen Davenport (65 carries, 506 yards, nine TDs), WR Julian Mason (59 catches, 884 yards, seven TDs), TE Andrew Savaiinaea (23 catches, 316 yards, nine TDs) and LB Jalen Davenport (85 tackles, six TFL).

Tickets: $16 for adults, and $12 for students and senior citizens.

(Featured photo by Vince Miller)