We’re excited to feature Lake Stevens running back Jayshon Limar as KRKO’s Russell & Hill Male High School Athlete of the month for November.  Jayshon was a key contributor to the Vikings’ success on the gridiron in the last four years. He’s a two-time state champion (2022, 2023), Jayshon piled up 1,722 total yards and 27 touchdowns this last season while helping secure Lake Stevens’ 10th consecutive Wesco 4A title. Jayshon shared his story with us – from competing with his older brother growing up, to developing as a senior leader this past season. He discussed overcoming injuries, his pregame rituals, and how the Vikings’ team culture drives their success.

 

SCSC: How did you first get into football, what really hooked you on the sport?

Jayshon: Growing up, my brother and I were always competing. He’s my older brother—two years older, always bigger, faster, and stronger. I grew up watching him play. We both loved the Seahawks back then, Marshawn Lynch, Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson. But honestly, my brother and my dad are the reasons I started playing football. Seeing how much joy it brought my brother is what first drew me to the game. At the beginning, I wasn’t totally sure about it, but then I really started to love it. Football gave me my best friends—some of the guys I met when I was seven are still my closest friends today. That family connection, the camaraderie, being part of a team… that’s what got me hooked. And of course, being inspired by my older brother.

SCSC: Is there a sibling rivalry between you and your brother Jayden?

Jayshon: Oh yeah, we can compete in just about anything. When he first got to college, I remember telling him, ‘My bench press is up!’ And he’d fire back, ‘Mine too.’ That’s how it always was—competing in the weight room, on the field… no matter what. We always find a way to push each other. But at the end of the day, we love each other. That brotherly competition. It drives us both to our limits. And in football, that’s everything.

SCSC: What’s your biggest hobby outside of football?

Jayshon: It depends on the time of year, I snowboard during winter. But then in summer, my grandparents have a surfboat, so we wake surf a lot.
I also love going on hikes too. I try to go on at least 10 hikes during summertime.

SCSC: What has been an impactful piece of advice you have received that has helped you along your football journey so far?

Jayshon: My brother and my dad helped me get through injuries with their advice.
Their biggest message to me was never let the injuries that are happening right now affect your future because no matter what God’s always on our side. They are very big on speaking forward into the future, they just spoke the word of life and to me through God and were always telling me no matter what you’re going through now it’s going to lead you to bigger and better things in the future and prepare you for life.

SCSC: Do you have any pregame rituals?

Jayshon: I didn’t have my own until about junior year—after my brother had left, I used to always pray with him, that was our thing before games. But now? On game day, I’ll listen to rap in the car on the way to the stadium. Then, soon as I get inside the stadium, I switch to Adele. It doesn’t matter what mood I’m in—Adele just hits. And right before we go out my last song’s always worship music. Then praying with a few of my teammates.

SCSC: How did you lead as a senior captain on the football team this last season?

Jayshon: Freshman year, I was timid, you know? Not really talking too much. I was playing, but… I wasn’t speaking up in front of the team or nothing. Then I got injured in my sophomore year, so I was part of the team, but really just dealing with recovery. That junior year, after my brother left, that was big. I started becoming a leader, speaking up a little more. I played the whole season with my shoulder popping out in games. Teammates would see me on the sideline, in pain, popping it back in… and I’d go right back out. I wasn’t saying much about that, but they saw how much it meant to me. That rubbed off on everyone. By senior year I loved my teammates; I grew up with ‘em. I knew when to get loud, yell a bit, but also when to pull a guy aside, talk one-on-one, get personal. Senior year, we all knew what we wanted that three-peat. Every day in the weight room, hanging out after workouts—even simple stuff like poker nights, floating the river together that’s what brought us together. It really got to a point where not just one or two of us were leaders, we had 15+ guys who could lead. That’s the culture we developed at Lake Stevens.

SCSC: What helped Lake Stevens Football achieve so much success as a program during your time there?

Jayshon: The teams we had were special, but also the coaches. The coaches we have at Lake Stevens – they put so much time and effort into the game plan. They’ll spend 12 hours a day, like… 12 hours on Sunday, through break. My coach will come in early and stay late just doing a scouting report for that following week. It’s crazy how much time they dedicate and preparation they do. They make it so when game time comes, we know everything that could possibly happen. They just push us to be our absolute best – that’s definitely a big factor. Then there’s how the team bonds during summer workouts and team camp. Building that team camaraderie… when you’re in season, it’s like – we worked so hard for this. We gave blood, sweat and tears… we worked so hard that we can’t fail now. That’s something that pushed us to our state championships.

SCSC: What’s next for you?

Jayshon: I’m going to Western Oregon University (WOU), I will be staying in the dorms there. I’m thinking about going for business finance as my major, but we’ll see, that could change I’m still young. I’m just inspired by a lot of my family who own businesses. I know some guys that are already at WOU. I’m going to be down there in June and then May for the spring game. At the spring game I’m hoping to meet a couple more of the guys and then in June I’m going down to help with their team camp. Get to know more of the teammates and coaches down there. WOU is doing a lot of things right, and I want to be at a place that believes in me, trusts me, and really wants to push me to be the best person I can be. That’s the vibe I got from them. I’m just very happy that they offered me. It’s close to home, close to my brother who plays at Oregon. It’s where I can push myself to be the best. Hopefully I can go in and start – if not start, at least make a difference on the field for them. Really show what I can do.

SCSC: What is a piece of advice you have for kids out there just getting into football?

Jayshon: I’d say just push yourself to the limit. I think a lot of people underestimate themselves. There’s been so many times I’ve wanted to give up—my body’s been done—but I’ve had to push past my limits, multiple times. And God… God will always give you the strength. I always trust in God, keep that relationship with him, because without him, we’re nothing. There’s been so many times I’ve felt completely done but just kept pushing through. Never underestimate yourself.