WesCo 4A | Late stop pulls out win for Snohomish, 49-48

SNOHOMISH — Ray Purviance had the game of his life, but it took a huge final stop by Snohomish's defense to give the Panthers a wild 49-48 WesCo North Division football victory.

Nick Baker's fourth touchdown pass of the night cut Snohomish's lead to one, but Lake Stevens' star quarterback was stopped short on a two-point conversion on the final snap of the game. The victory clinched the No. 2 WesCo North berth for Snohomish (6-3 overall, 4-2 division), which will host Central Kitsap (6-3) next Friday or Saturday in a preliminary playoff game.

Purviance ran for 227 yards and five touchdowns, including the clinching score in the fourth quarter. The 195-pound senior had 36 carries and finished the season with nearly 1,300 yards.

Baker, in his final game for Lake Stevens, also ran for two TDs. The Vikings (6-3, 4-2) get WesCo's No. 3 berth and travel next weekend to Rogers (8-1) of Puyallup, SPSL South's No. 2 entry.

Other games

Edmonds-Woodway 41, Shorewood 17

At Edmonds Stadium, receiver Din Kuses had three touchdown receptions in the first half as injured Tony Heard watched from the sideline to lead the Warriors (7-2, 5-1) past the Thunderbirds (0-9-, 0-6). Kuses, who has 11 touchdown receptions this season, finished with four catches for 53 yards. Junior quarterback Andy Willcock was 8-of-17 passing for 122 yards, and also had a 17-yard TD run. E-W, WesCo South's No. 2 team, plays at SPSL North No. 2 next weekend. Shorewood's Dorian Lair ran for 125 yards and TD.

Marysville-Pilchuck 20, at Oak Harbor 3

The fifth-ranked Tomahawks (9-0, 6-0) sealed their first unbeaten season and WesCo title since 1975 by scoring twice in the fourth quarter against the Wildcats (3-6, 2-4). Three M-P backs ran for more than 100 yards. Austin Denton rushed for 188, Ryan Sterly had 123 and a 93-yard TD, and Caleb Posey added 102 yards and a 67-yard score. Marysville, WesCo North No. 1, hosts KingCo No. 4 next Friday or Saturday.

Jackson 40, Cascade 27

At Everett Memorial Stadium, quarterback Andy Gay passed for three touchdowns as the Timberwolves (8-1, 6-0) finished atop WesCo South by beating the Bruins (4-5, 3-3). Gay completed 19 of 28 passes for 254 yards as Jackson rested stars Taylor Cox and Riley Carr early. Jordan Kellington caught six passes for 68 yards and two TDs. Jackson hosts the No. 4 team from SPSL North next Friday or Saturday.

Kamiak 24, Mountlake Terrace 3

At Goddard Stadium, quarterback Sam Ruppel ran for two touchdowns as the Knights (2-7, 2-4) snapped a five-game losing streak with a WesCo South win over the Hawks (3-6, 1-5). Kamiak had 365 total yards, 275 on the ground. Brandon Eckhart led Terrace with 144 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Mariner 58, at Monroe 21

Austin Parker and Kavari Russel each ran for two touchdowns as the playoff-bound Marauders (6-3, 4-2) beat the Bearcats (2-7, 0-6) in a crossover game. Parker ran for 98 yards on eight carries, and Russel had 89 on 10 attempts. A.J. VanWieringen was 6-for-11 passing for 121 yards. Mariners opens the playoff next weekend at Curtis of University Place.

At Stanwood 48, Arlington 39

Brad Gee ran for 270 yards and three TDs, and Devin Wooldridge also scored three times as the Spartans (3-5, 3-3) beat the Eagles (5-4, 2-4) but missed the playoffs. Arlington's Andy Smith passed for 356 yards.