> > GASCA/NELSON/DEFENSE SPARK VIKINGS PAST STANWOOD 47-0 FOR REGULAR SEASON 8-0 MARK
Published on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 by By Mike Anderton- Purple & Gold Contributing EditorRead More High School
Game balls please to Christian Gasca, Jake Nelson, and the entire Viking defense in Lake's 47-0 win at Stanwood (its Homecoming) last Friday night.
Several all-time season and career Viking records either fell or got closer during the game. Check Kevin Hulten's Purple & Gold Pigskin blog for an update on these.
Gasca's four TD receptions, covering 38, 37, 39 and 65 yards, were the most ever by a Viking, and Nelson's 5 TD passes tied Nick Baker's mark (Nelson's other TD pass was a 63-yarder to Shae Giddens).
Linebacker Korey Young, who led Lake in tackles with 11, now has 292 stops in his career, just three shy of Ryan Bundy's mark.
As for Nelson, he has accounted for 33 touchdowns this season (19 passing and 14 rushing), one short of Baker's record.
Oddly, the game did not begin as a blowout against the winless Spartans.
Stanwood rushed for two first downs via the 11 and seven yard gains of Ryan Randall on its first possesion, advancing to the LS 43 before being stopped on downs.
An 11-yard holding penalty combined with an 11-yard sack of Nelson by Randall resulted in a Viking punt on its initial go.
Then Lake woke up with a roar, totally commanding the remainder of the game. After the teams' initial possession Lake went on to outgain Stanwood by 458 yards to 79, and 16 first downs to 3.
Stanwood's secondary was helpless to defend against Nelson's arm. The latter was 10 for 15 in the first half, for 272 yards and four touchdowns, covering 38, 37 and 39 yards to Gasca and 63 yards to Giddens for a 27-0 lead at halftime.
Nelson and the other Viking starters played only briefly in the second half, just enough time for Nelson's 65-yard score to Gasca, while Giddens netted 55 yards in just two carries in the third quarter.
Sellar Tanners converted five of six PATs (one was blocked; the other Viking conversion was foiled by a bad center snap).
Nelson finished with 11 of 16 (no interceptions) for 337 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for a 14-yard TD. Gasca's five catches, four for touchdowns, gained 186 yards. Giddens compiled 76 yards in just five rushes.
Viking defense limited Stanwood to a single first down in the second half and 34 total yards.
Interceptions by Paul Labreche and Conner Coleman helped preserve the shutout. Coleman's 42-yard return set up Brad Barry's three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Barry contributed 43 yards in five carries.
Lake rushed for 133 net yards, Stanwood 72. Stanwood completed eight of 19 passes (two intercepted) for 30 yards. Lake outgained Stanwood overall by 470 to 102.
Sacking the Stanwood quarterback were Young, Brandon Johnson, Juan Delgado and Cody Tupen.
Lake's 400 yards per game and 42 points per game are on pace to set school season records in those departments.
With the Wesco North championship and an 8-0 regular season in the bag, Lake heads to the playoffs, beginning at Edmonds-Woodway this Friday with the overall Wesco championship and State playoff seedings on the line.
