MARYSVILLE — On the surface, tonight’s football game between Marysville Pilchuck and Lake Stevens is no more than just another nonleague contest.
But to those involved, it’s much more.
There is a natural rivalry between the two teams that still exists despite the game no longer being a league game since the Tomahawks moved from 4A to 3A.
Last season, the Vikings handed the Tomahawks a 45-21 loss in Week 2. It was Marysville Pilchuck’s worst loss of the season until falling to Eastside Catholic 65-34 in the 3A state quarterfinals.
While avenging last year’s loss to the Vikings is certainly on their minds, the Tomahawks have lofty expectations for 2013 after their state run a season ago. MP’s quest to get back to the state playoffs began last week with a 42-21 victory over Arlington and head coach Brandon Carson would like to see his team clean up some of the mistakes it made in Week 1.
“I think for the kids that were around last year (the loss to Lake Stevens) is a minor motivating factor,” Marysville Pilchuck head coach Brandon Carson said. “We have some bigger goals in mind. We want to improve upon last week’s performance and kind of go from there.”
Tomahawks junior Austin Joyner burst onto the scene last season rushing for more than 2,000 yards and averaging more than 14 yards per carry. The Vikings were able to contain Joyner — relatively speaking — last year, holding him to 103 yards on 13 carries.
Few teams were able to have that kind of success against the Tomahawks’ Wing-T offense. Despite defending it well, Vikings coach Tom Tri doesn’t expect the Tomahawks to deviate far from what they do tonight.
“I’m sure they will have a different wrinkle here or there with a formation or some sort of counter play,” Tri said. “But for the most part, I think we’re going to have a pretty good idea of what we’re going to see. The question is, can we stop it?”
Arlington was faced with the same question last Friday, and Joyner rushed for 254 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.
“It’s funny, it’s hard to expect him to rush for 200 yards a game, but he just makes some really big explosive plays,” Carson said. “He helps set up our offense for other stuff to work too. We have some other guys that can get the job done.”
Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Follow him on twitter @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.
Lake Stevens vs. Marysville Pilchuck
Where: Quil Ceda Stadium, Marysville
When: Friday night, 7 p.m.
Key players: Lake Stevens—Austin Otis, RB; Jacob Eason, QB; Gavin O’Neil, RB/WR; CJ Lat, LB; Evan Miksch, OL; Ignacio Ponce, LB; Tevin Gray, WR. Tanner Krenz, TE/LB. Marysville Pilchuck—Austin Joyner, RB/DB; Jake Luton, QB; Deion Stell, RB/WR; Alex Gray LB; Ryan Spiva, K; Dante Fields, DL; Nic Alonso, RB/DB.
Twitter: @aaronlommers
Shorecrest vs. Cascade
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
When: Friday night, 5 p.m.
Breakdown: This is a great matchup between teams with dynamic signal callers. It took a while for Cascade’s new quarterback Josh Smith to get untracked, but once he did the Bruins got a glimpse of how special he can be. Smith ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more as the Bruins scored 21 unanswered, second-half points to beat Shorewood last Friday. This week they face a Shorecrest team that got 194 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground from its own quarterback Nik Hendricks in a win over Lynnwood. Hendricks also threw for a touchdown.
Twitter: @swaney_aaron79
M. Getchell vs. Kamiak
Where: Goddard Stadium, Everett
When: Friday night, 7 p.m.
Breakdown: Marysville Getchell shocked a few by having its way with Mariner last week, while Kamiak nearly held on to beat Meadowdale. Both teams have strong run games with Kamiak rushing for 191 yards and the Chargers going for 188 last week. The Knights are led by Austin Hall, who had 138 yards in last week’s loss. Marysville Getchell counters with Wil Owen, who finished last week with a game-high 130 yards rushing. This should be a fast contest with both teams keeping it on the ground, but look for a desperate Kamiak team to bounce back in a big way.
Radio: KRKO, 1380 AM
Twitter: @jonsap
Arlington vs. Oak Harbor
Where: Wildcat Memorial Stadium
When: Friday night, 7 p.m.
Breakdown: Arlington gets a taste of the Wing-T for the second week in a row as it takes on the Wildcats, who beat up the Eagles 38-15 last season. Instead of Austin Joyner across the line of scrimmage this week, Arlington will have to find a way to contain Dejon Devroe, who ran for 220 yards last week in a win over Snohomish. The Eagles will also have to find a way to get their offense untracked. Arlington scored three touchdowns last week, but two of them were defensive touchdowns and the other was set up by a fumble recovery on the 1-yard line.
Webcast: soundsportsnet.com
Inglemoor vs. Meadowdale
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: Friday night, 5 p.m.
Breakdown: Meadowdale proved last week that it is going to be just fine without Mark Stewart. The Mavs came from behind to top Kamiak and did so despite a number of turnovers and penalties. This week the Mavs host an Inglemoor team that gave up 50 points to Juanita a week ago. Expect Meadowdale first-year quarterback Jerremiah Evans and running back Malik Braxton to double their numbers from a week ago in a big win.
Webcast: mltnews.com
Mountlake Terrace vs. Edmonds-Woodway
Where: Edmonds Stadium
When: Friday night, 8 p.m.
Breakdown: The Hawks sputtered without star Devante Downs, who is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, in a loss to Stanwood last week. This week the Hawks will reportedly be without quarterback Justin Hopkins and lineman Jevin Pahinui. That doesn’t bode well as Terrace goes up against an Edmonds-Woodway team that ran over, around and through Everett in a 49-0 win last week. In a related note, Mountlake Terrace grad and mltnews.com announcer Steve Willits will have to shave his head on Oct. 5 if the Hawks lose tonight. Expect Willits to be hairless come Oct. 5.
Webcast: mltnews.com
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