I left at halftime due to equipment malfunction (the rain soaked my phone and it stopped working) and because the game was obviously over. Apparently, there was no more scoring after half. More on this game to come...

Here are the rest of the Wesco scores from tonight:

Lakes 55, Everett 0

Marysville-Pilchuck 49, Graham-Kapowsin 24

Glacier Peak 49, Peninsula 48 -- 3 OT

Jackson 38, Eastlake 15

Central Kitsap 35, Mountlake Terrace 0

Join us at 6:30 pm for live blogging of the Vikings' playoff game at ninth-ranked Bethel. The game starts at 7:00 pm, but we'll start a half hour early for pregame notes. Unless there is WiFi at the stadium, reader comments will be disabled, but we will let you know about that more on location.

See you at 6:30.

Here's hoping the Viking defense causes as many turnovers as the Husky defense did in the first half...

As the Vikings prepare to travel the 92 miles to Art Crate Field in Spanaway, it's time to offer a couple thoughts and provide our pick. This will be a little briefer than most picks, as we already covered Bethel in depth earlier in the week.

The Game: Lake Stevens (5-4) at Bethel (8-1)

On paper, it sure doesn't look good fro the Vikes. We've seen how Wesco teams have matched up against state powers early in district play. Bothell 61, Stanwood 0. Auburn (missing its top player) 42, Kamiak 7.

We know how the Vikings fared last year when matched up against a one-loss SPSL South squad. It was ugly. And once the injuries and inexperience across the Viking roster are figured in, it seems to be long odds for the Vikes.

But the Vikes know that. Coach Tom Tri knows they are playing with house money, and that after literally losing a full team of expected starters, that no one in their right mind would've thought the Vikes could grab second in Wesco and a playoff berth.

The Vikes looked free and easy in practice. In the film room, Coach Joe Cronin drew up a fantastic defensive scheme after analyzing hours and hours of game film. The goal: sell out to stop Braves' RB Anthony Meray, the state's second leading rusher; and force Bethel's sophomore QB to beat the Vikes with the pass.

On offense, Coach Tri dug deep into the bag of tricks. I expect to see some double passes, some end-arounds, some funky formations and an effort to get the ball in the hands of Brennan Frost, Brandon Preslar and Bryson Daggett - who will likely start at slot receiver.

If the Vikings can avoid their recent tendency of completely collapsing at the beginning of the playoff game...if the Vikes can get some points on the board early, if the Vikes can contain Meray, and limit him to under 150 yards rushing, if the Vikes can win the turnover battle by two or more, if the Vikes get huge individual performances from a few key players...

...then this one could be close in the fourth quarter. I don't feel comfortable picking the Vikes to lost. I feel there is a chance, however small, that they could pull this one out. However, let's be real. Instead of offering a pick, I'll just play Vegas oddsmaker, and install the Vikes as 20 point underdogs. In other words, pretend the Vikes are up 20-0 at the opning kick and then see who wins.

With that said, I would say there is a one in ten chance of the Vikes pulling this one out...and if they do, the bracket opens up considerably - Bethel would likely be the best team they'd face in the first three rounds.

So let's just enjoy the night and hope for the best. Be sure to check back later, as we'll be hosting a live blog covering the game as we did last week.

After work, I was able to swing by practice for an hour to check up on the Vikes' playoff preparations. Before we get into that, check out the post-practice pics on the left.

In an exhibition that would've made Coach Tom Tri's head explode if he were present, Brennan Frost decided to test his ability to make 45-yard field goals...while kicking with a torn ACL in his kicking leg.

Needless to say, he made it with plenty of room to spare. Reminds me of that Tiger Woods commercial with the wedge and the golf ball. Some people are just gifted. Yes, they both did it in one take.

Anyway, we've got a couple notes to pass along before we close up shop for the night. Before we get to practice notes, I have to say I excited about a couple of interviews I took part in today. First, I was lucky enough to interview Lexi Frost for the feature piece in next weeks paper. Won't spoil it, but got some great stuff from Frosty's little sister. Second, Coach Tri sat down with me for about an hour today (with the purpose of fleshing out the Frost piece), but we ended up talking about a number of subjects, and I have it all on tape ready to transcribe.

Practice Notes:
The Vikes looked sharp in the last full practice before the Bethel game. I won't get into particulars because I know we have some South-end readers, but the Vikes certainly have a few tricks up their collective sleeves. Both Jake Nelson and Bryson Daggett threw the ball well in practice and Frost looks explosive.

A few odds and ends: We wondered aloud where junior Cody Riecks fit into the varsity plans, and a day later Riecks was seen taking first team snaps at WR. Riecks made a spectacular sliding catch of a depp ball in practice, sliding under a streaking Brandon Preslar (who was running an intersecting route) and grabbing the fifty yard pass inches from the turf. Riecks also appears to be a starting up back on the kick return team... Speaking of the kick return team, it appears that junior Brandon Belcher - the Vikes' leading tackler - has secured the starting kick returner job... Former starting QB Bryson Daggett has switched to slot receiver, and appears to have the inside track on the Saturday start...Sophomore WR/CB Quincy Carroll continues to mend on the sideline after suffering a concussion and neck injuries last week in practice. Carroll said he could be cleared to play next week, if necessary...Lake's Brennan Frost was named the Seattle Times/WIAA 4A Athlete of the Week yesterday following his record performance.

Link Dump
Lately, we've been posting several times per day and some of you may have missed some of the recent material. With that in mind, here is a recap of some important links from recent days.

---Senior Night Photo Diary

---Viking Video: JV Squad Helps Snohomish Special Needs Student Live His Dream

--- Guest Q & A: TNT's Doug Pacey Answers Our SPSL Questions and Previews Lake at Bethel

--- Game Story: Frost's Record Night Leads the Vikings to the Playoffs.

--- Know Thy Opponent: Examining the 8-1 Bethel Braves

--- Seattle Times State Rushing Leaders: Bethel's Anthony Meray ranks second, Lake's Brennan Frost ranks eighth in the state.

Doug Pacey has his pick and preview up on his Prep Blog:

Lake Stevens (5-4) at No. 9 Bethel (8-1), 7 p.m. Saturday
Lowdown: The Braves enter the postseason on a roll, having won seven straight games. Opposing defenses have received steady doses of RB Anthony Meray, who set the SPSL all-purpose yards record last with 2,267 yards. Bethel coach Gavin Kralik said defensive tackle Happy Iona is healthy and will play the full game. Lake Stevens has been a slow starter this season, getting outscored 83-37 in the first quarter. The Vikings have ridden the legs of RB Brennan Frost to the playoffs...

CLICK HERE FOR THE PICK

The Ike Special (KOMO TV Coverage) from Tony Soper on Vimeo.

Fifteen months, over 100,000 visits later, Purple and Gold Pigskin is happy to present out 650th post, and it just so happens to be Rob Carlson's Senior Night Photo Diary. The Vikes beat Snohomish 25-13 and secured a playoff bid at Bethel Saturday.