FinalScoreTV brings together the top media partners in the state to talk football and Championship Weekend. Dick Fain sits down with with Todd Milles of Varsity WA News for a look at the Saturday 4A Championship match-up between the Lake Stevens Vikings and Sumner Spartans.
Here's a Glance at part of their Conversation
Dick Fain
Welcome back to FinalScore.TV. It’s championship weekend at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium, and we’re breaking it all down with our guy from Varsity WA News, Todd Milles. Todd, welcome back—how are you?
Todd Milles
Doing well. It’s an exciting week—great to get back to Husky Stadium and wrap up a really fun fall football season.
Dick Fain
Let’s start with the venue change. The championships moved from the Tacoma Dome to Husky Stadium.
We’ve gone from indoor, climate-controlled football to early-December weather outdoors in Seattle.
Do you like the switch?
Todd Milles
I do. We’ve had pretty good weather the first two years—only one game with real rain. We might get a little drizzle this weekend, but that’s it.
I was surprised how well Husky Stadium worked. Even though it seats nearly 70,000, the acoustics make it feel full and loud on the field. And some games—like the 4A matchups and the 2A games with Anacortes—drew really good crowds.
Do I miss the Tacoma Dome’s controlled environment? Sure. But WIAA needed to move out of smaller high school stadiums and back into a real, destination venue. Husky Stadium has been a great fit.
And now the Seahawks have shown interest, so that may be a future option. But for now, WIAA is very happy with Husky Stadium going into year three.
Dick Fain
I agree. It needs to feel like a big-time destination—Tacoma Dome, Lumen Field, Husky Stadium.
It’s harder to sell kids on “Our goal is Spark Stadium,” even though there’s a lot of tradition there.
Let’s dive into the 4A championship game—Saturday night. I’ll be calling it on 93.3 KJR-FM with Chris Kidd.
The Sumner Spartans are back—the defending 4A champs after beating Camas last season. Their head coach, Keith Ross, has built an amazing program. For years when you thought “South End football,” you thought Puyallup—not Sumner. What Ross has done is remarkable.
Todd Milles
Absolutely. Sumner struggled for a long time before moving back into 4A. What Ross has built over the last five or six years is impressive.
Last year was the peak: strong offensive and defensive lines, a season-opening win over Lake Stevens, only one loss—to national powerhouse West Linn—and then a dramatic championship win over Camas on a last-second field goal.
This year has been more of a roller coaster. They lost to Lake Stevens in the rematch on the last play of the game, fell to West Linn again, and got blown out by Puyallup. After that, Ross reevaluated everything.
They went back to old-school football—under center, more run-heavy, using their second-best player as a wingback and throwing mostly off play-action. It settled the offense down and helped the defense.
The big breakthrough was the playoff rematch with Puyallup. Sumner jumped out 14–0—something no one else did to Puyallup—and held them off.
And the star is Lance McGee. He might be the best player in the state. Came to Sumner as a linebacker, shed 30 pounds, now a 205-pound running back with Division I offers. He reminds me of Jonathan Stewart—big, fast, explosive.
He ran for 313 yards and five touchdowns last week. Lake Stevens did not see the real Lance McGee in Week 1—but they’ll see him Saturday.
Dick Fain
I saw his postgame interview—he said, “Just give me the ball, I’ll take care of it.” I’d say 313 and five TDs qualifies.
In the passing game, Braylen Pope had two touchdowns and 133 yards. Is he their top receiving target behind McGee?
Todd Milles
No question. When Sumner throws, quarterback Nate Donovan is looking for Braylen Pope—a tall, athletic junior and one of the best in the state.
He’s always had big-play potential, but this year he’s consistent every week.
Their “X-factor” is Israel Neighbors. He spells McGee at times and now sees more snaps on offense. When defenses try to take away McGee and Pope, Neighbors becomes a great third option. And he’s one of their best defensive backs as well.
Dick Fain
Defensively, they give up points—but they score so much. How much of that is a defensive issue, and how much is just the style of game they play?
Todd Milles
They’ve had to rebuild parts of the secondary and lost a top DB in Week 1. They’ve experimented with young players and even moved a linebacker back there temporarily.
Their plan is to rely on pressure up front and live with some risk in the secondary. Big pass plays are their vulnerability.
But honestly, the same is true for Lake Stevens. Both defenses are great against the run, aggressive rushing the passer, and a little shaky on the back end.
Whichever passing game hits the big plays Saturday night probably wins.
Dick Fain
Speaking of the passing game—Lake Stevens is 13–0 and rolling. They used a 21–0 third quarter to beat Graham-Kapowsin 44–35.
Their last five scores:
• 44 vs. GK
• 76 vs. Moses Lake (second time this year!)
• 55 vs. Kamiakin
• 56 vs. Woodinville
• 55 vs. Arlington
It starts with QB Blake Moser—36 touchdown passes. Talk about this passing attack.
Todd Milles
It’s extremely dynamic.
The whole backfield is explosive. Moser is a baseball kid who can throw mid-90s. He moved from receiver to quarterback this year and wasn’t with the team much in summer—so he’s grown quickly.
He can run too—big-play runner who outruns angles.
Their running back, Javion Farrell, is equally dangerous. Together, they’re more dynamic than last year’s combo of Colton Mattson and Jayshon Lamar.
Farrell has multiple 200-yard games. Moser has over 3,000 yards of total offense and nearly 50 touchdowns. And both are juniors.
Dick Fain
So their attack is more balanced than Sumner’s?
Todd Milles
Yes. They’re very balanced.
They have multiple perimeter threats—Price, Okuyama, and others. Coach Tom Try is brilliant at creating open space with misdirection and formations.
Sumner has seen Lake Stevens’ offense twice the last two years, so they know the system. But when everything breaks down, Moser or Farrell just makes a play.
That’s why they’ve scored so many points in the playoffs.
Dick Fain
So bottom line—are we thinking a shootout? And is there a favorite?
Todd Milles
I think it’s close. Both teams are playing their best football.
Sumner turned their season around after the Puyallup loss. Lake Stevens is growing with a young group and a first-year QB who keeps getting better.
Their last two matchups were classics—both decided on the final play.
I expect both teams in the 30s, and the game decided by whoever makes the final big play.
They’re very evenly matched.
Dick Fain
Sounds like a fun one. Can’t wait to call it—Saturday at 7pm from Husky Stadium.
That’s Todd Milles. We’ll come back with the 3A breakdown next.
