Lake Stevens Wins Battle Of Unbeatens To Claim NSL Senior Division Title

The championship for the Senior division of the North Sound Junior Football League pitched two undefeated teams against one another Saturday night at Monroe High School, and the clash lived up to its billing. The Lake Stevens Vikings and the Snohomish Panthers each entered the title game at 9‑0. In a back‑and‑forth battle, Lake Stevens emerged with a 28–24 victory, to claim the 2025 league title. 

The first quarter offered no scoring, but both teams showed early signs of momentum. Snohomish opened with a promising drive featuring a 10‑yard run by Rylan Jones‑Spencer, but the Panthers stalled after Jaxon Alde was dropped for a sack by Carter May of Lake Stevens. Lake Stevens answered with its own series, and though the Vikings’ running back Max Tuor ripped off a 28‑yard run, the Panthers’ defense forced a turnover on downs near midfield.

In the second quarter Lake Stevens struck first. Quarterback Jaxon Pugmire capped a short drive with a pass‑rush mix that set up Tuor’s one‑yard plunge for a touchdown, and the Vikings converted a two‑point try to go ahead 8–0. Snohomish answered before the break, as quarterback Jackson Bottjer found Rylan Jones‑Spencer on a perfect throw for 39 yards, and after a short run he plunged in for the score himself. A successful two‑point conversion tied the game at 8–8, and the two teams headed into halftime still deadlocked but charged.

Lake Stevens began the second half like a team on a mission. Tuor ripped off a 34‑yard sprint, followed by a 20‑yard burst that set up another touchdown for the Vikings. The two‑point attempt succeeded again and Lake Stevens pulled ahead 16–8. Snohomish’s offense, which had shown flashes in the first half, couldn’t respond. Alde carried 18 times for 52 yards, but the Panthers couldn’t break free of the Vikings’ front. Meanwhile Lake Stevens added grit, power and big plays—Tuor, backed by Ryder Ward and Traveon Hayes, bullied the line of scrimmage and slammed home two touchdowns in quick succession.

Entering the fourth quarter the score remained 24–8 and Snohomish faced a tall order. But the Panthers, under Bottjer’s leadership, refused to fade. Bottjer returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. The Panthers converted the two‑point attempt to close the deficit to 24–16. The contest now had the feel of a dogfight.

Lake Stevens answered with a late explosive burst. With the Panthers pinning their ears back, Tuor broke loose for a 64‑yard touchdown run, his second score of the day, and the Vikings held onto the lead at 28–16. But Snohomish still had life. On their next possession Bottjer scored on a two-yard touchdown run to make the cut the lead to 28–24 after a successful two‑point conversion. The Panthers were knocking on the door, but time and the Vikings’ defense closed the gap.

In the final minutes Snohomish threatened again. Bottjer rushed forward, connected on short passes and the Panthers got well into Lake Stevens territory. But the Vikings’ composure held. Their defense, anchored by Jake Romero and Max Tuor, forced a stalled drive and the clock expired with exultant Lake Stevens celebrating a championship.

Offensively, Lake Stevens relied on balance and big‑play ability. Max Tuor carried 17 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns; Jaxon Pugmire completed 6 of 8 passes for 26 yards; Traveon Hayes rushed 8 times for 37 yards and a score; Ryder Ward added a touch; Carter May and Isaac Duron chipped in when needed. Snohomish, meanwhile, got 20 carries from Jones‑Spencer for 77 yards and a reception for 39 yards; Bottjer added 3 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown as well as a critical kickoff return; Alde, though tackled often, showed grit with 52 rushing yards.

Defensively Lake Stevens held the Panthers scoreless until the drive near the end, while forcing key stops and turnovers. Snohomish’s defense logged sacks and tackles, but faced a balanced attack they couldn’t shake. Ultimately Lake Stevens combined big plays, disciplined defense and timely execution to close out the season undefeated.

Player Stats

Lake Stevens Vikings – Offense:

• Max Tuor: 17 rushes, 178 yards, 2 TDs

• Traveon Hayes: 8 rushes, 37 yards, 1 TD

• Jaxon Pugmire: 1 rush, ‑10 yards; 6/8 passing, 26 yards

• Carter May: 2 rushes, ‑2 yards; 3 receptions, 7 yards

• Ryder Ward: 2 rushes, 19 yards; 2 receptions, 19 yards, 1 TD

Lake Stevens Vikings – Defense:

• Jake Romero: 4 tackles

• Samuel Hernandez: 4 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries

• Max Tuor: 3 tackles

• Traveon Hayes: 1 sack

• Carter May: 1 sack

• Jaxon Pugmire: 1 interception

• Brigham Aitken: 1 sack

Snohomish Panthers – Offense:

• Rylan Jones‑Spencer: 20 rushes, 77 yards; 1 reception, 39 yards

• Jackson Bottjer: 5 rushes, 37 yards; 3/7 passing, 50 yards; 85-yard kickoff return TD; 1 passing TD

• Donald Penhollow: 2 rushes, 11 yards; 2 receptions, 11 yards

Snohomish Panthers – Defense:

• Jackson Bottjer: 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT (returned for TD)

• Rylan Jones‑Spencer: 5 tackles

• Caleb Darling: 2 tackles, 1 pass deflection