Washington 4A football championship live updates, score: Lake Stevens, Graham-Kapowsin meet one more time

Last two WIAA state champions will meet for sixth time in state playoffs since 2015, this time at Husky Stadium

Editor's note: This Class 4A preview package was written up by SBLive WA staff for the WIAA state program. Game predictions made by reporters Todd Milles, Hailey Palmer and Tri-Cities-based Evans Rankings' founder Matt Evans.

---

Graham-Kapowsin, which won both the Class 4A football title and Geico State Champions Bowl Series game in 2021, certainly has an argument for posting the best three-year run in the classification after making it back to the WIAA championship game Saturday.

Except its opponent - Lake Stevens - has been just a little bit better during that span.

---

LIVE COVERAGE FROM HUSKY STADIUM:

SBLive Senior Editor Todd Milles is on the sideline at Husky Stadium in Seattle to bring you full coverage from the WIAA 4A state title game, including live updates, video highlights, photos and a game story. You can also watch the game live on the NFHS Network.

>> Follow live updates from Lake Stevens vs. Graham-Kapowsin here <<

• LIVE WIAA FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

---

The reigning state champion Vikings have advanced to the Class 4A title game for a third consecutive season - and in four of the past five state title games.

Needless to stay, both programs' extended state-level success, as well as facing off for a sixth time in the WIAA playoffs since 2015, has given the matchup Saturday a distinct flavor.

Rivalry, you say?

"This is a rivalry - big-time," Lake Stevens coach Tom Tri said. "There is definitely some history. There is respect, for sure - mutual respect."

The Vikings hold a 3-2 edge in those state playoff showdowns since 2015, including a 42-28 victory in last year's semifinal round.

But, the Eagles have registered the only title-game victory - 44-7 - to cap that undefeated season in 2021.

"You can tell between Tom and (ex-Graham-Kapowsin coach Eric (Kurle) - they've created a culture in what winning football looks like," said Logan, the team's offensive coordinator in 2021 before taking over the reins last season.

"It's all about consistency. Tom has created a pretty special thing ... and here, we have a lot of same thing."

And while the Vikings have been one of the best spread offenses in the state over the past decade, Graham-Kapowsin has shifted more into a pass-first mode this fall - which should highlight two of the state's top quarterbacks in Lake Stevens' Kolton Matson and Graham-Kapowsin's Daveon Superales, both 3,000-yard passers.

Just don't expect these coaches to like seeing each other so often.

"Are we tired of seeing them? Yes," Logan said. "It's because they are a damn good football team."

---

CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP PRIMER

Photo by Vince Miller

NO. 2 LAKE STEVENS VIKINGS (12-1) vs. NO. 1 GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN EAGLES (13-0)

7 p.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium, Seattle

Coaches: Tom Tri is in his 19th season at Lake Stevens (166-46 record). Jeff Logan is in his second season at Graham-Kapowsin (23-3 record).

WIAA championship history: After making the Class 3A finals in 1985 and 1994, and the Class 4A title game in 2018 and 2021, Lake Stevens broke through for its first state title last season against Kennedy Catholic. In its only previous appearance in the Class 4A title game in 2021, Graham-Kapowsin beat Lake Stevens, 44-7.

Road to 2023 Gridiron Classic: Second-seeded Lake Stevens defeated No. 15 Woodinville in the first round (41-0), No. 10 Kennedy Catholic in the quarterfinals (44-21) and No. 6 Kamiakin in the semifinals (48-7). Top-seeded Graham-Kapowsin defeated No. 16 Richland in the first round (56-35), No. 8 Gonzaga Prep in the quarterfinals (20-14) and No. 4 Eastlake in the semifinals (27-24).

Statistical leaders: For Lake Stevens – QB Kolton Matson (211-313, 3,157 yards, 45 TDs; 103 rushing yards, five TDs), RB Jayshon Limar (110 carries, 876 yards, 11 TDs), RB Talha Rai (97 carries, 672 yards, 12 TDs), WR David Brown (47 catches, 790 yards, 17 TDs), WR Paul Varela (48 catches, 559 yards, six TDs) and LB Keagan Howard (113 tackles, 24 TFL, four sacks). For Graham-Kapowsin – QB Daveon Superales (280-368, 3,473 yards, 44 TDs; 108 carries, 706 yards, seven TDs), RB Alele Fa'apito-Leao (119 carries, 618 yards, seven TDs), WR Jabez Woods (95 catches, 1,202 yards, 10 TDs), WR Malachi Durant (64 catches, 1,025 yards, 18 TDs), WR Khris Norris (52 catches, 569 yards, seven TDs) and LB/DL Levi Turner (87 tackles, 5.5 TFL, sack, forced fumble, three fumble recoveries).

Palmer's pick: Lake Stevens, 35-30.

Milles' pick: Lake Stevens, 45-41.

Evans' pick: Lake Stevens, 35-24.

---