Lake Stevens leaves summer ball the same way it did in 2021 - winning the Lakewood Cougars passing tournament
ARLINGTON, Wash. - Reigning Class 4A state runner-up Lake Stevens High School left the summer term with a familiar title - and will enter the fall as the mission-filled favorite to win it all.
Led by Isaac Redford's two touchdown catches, the Vikings defeated Kennedy Catholic, 18-12 (3-2 in touchdowns scored), in the finals of the 2022 Lakewood Cougars Championship 7-v-7 Passing Tournament.
It was a matchup of the past two winners of the event - the Lancers in 2019, and Lake Stevens last summer.
LAKE STEVENS GETS NOD AS ONE OF SIX NO. 1 TEAMS ENTERING 2022
"Different guys every game made a play that contributed to our ability to have success - and win," Lake Stevens coach Tom Tri said.
Redford caught the game's first two scores on a 12-yard reception, and then a 28-yarder in the back of the end zone to give the Vikings a 12-0 lead.
The Lancers did get within a touchdown twice - first after a 2-yard scoring strike to Maclane Watkins, and then a 3-yarder to Isaac Syph.
A Lake Stevens interception by Cassidy Belong-Banks, the tournament defensive MVP, sealed the deal.
Photo by Todd Milles
The Vikings, who will be SBLive WA's preseason No. 1 team in 4A, leave the summer with lots of optimism - and an unresolved quarterback battle.
Tri said he wanted to have one player between junior Kaden LaPlaunt and sophomore Kolton Matson - both of whom saw playing time last fall in place of injured Grayson Murren - appointed as the starter by the time the Lakewood tournament rolled around.
That didn't happen. Each of them threw a touchdown in the finals.
"Both of had really good moments today, and then both of them took a step backward at times today," Tri said.
"But both are doing well. It's a good problem to have."
Preseason camp in Washington begins Aug. 17.
