MUKILTEO — In a game aptly described by Marysville Pilchuck head coach Brandon Carson as “a wild one,” the visiting Tomahawks had two chances to score the go-ahead touchdown in the late minutes against Kamiak.
The first drive ended with a fumble at the 1-yard line, and the turnover looked like it might doom Marysville Pilchuck’s comeback hopes. But the Tomahawks got a turnover of their own moments later, and a touchdown pass from quarterback Erik Lind to wide receiver Tristan Southard with two minutes remaining was the game-winner in a thrilling 21-20 victory Friday night at Goddard Stadium.
“We had an inopportune fumble down on the goal line,” Carson said, “but our defense really did the job, forcing a fumble there.”
Marysville Pilchuck sacked Kamiak quarterback Connor Alexander, and when the ball came out defensive lineman Austin Taylor made the recovery for the Tomahawks. Four plays later, Lind found Southard in the left side of the end zone, and place-kicker Jason Lopp booted the PAT to give Marysville Pilchuck the lead.
The Tomahawks gave up three touchdowns in the game’s first 16 minutes, but held the Knights scoreless the rest of the way. Marysville Pilchuck got one other turnover in the second half, and three times held Kamiak on downs after halftime, including a final time in the closing seconds.
“I thought our defense was really good in the second half,” Carson said.
The Tomahawks are coming off a memorable 2014 season in which they finished 10-2 and reached the Class 3A state semifinals.
This year, though, Marysville Pilchuck has just two returning starters on offense and two on defense. With so many new starters, “we just wanted to come out here tonight and see how these guys competed and how we can execute,” Carson said. “And now we’ll move forward and try to keep getting better.”
One of those returning starters is Lind, and his poise and experience were pivotal in this game. He was 9-for-15 for 98 passing yards, with another 40 yards on nine carries, and he was at his best in the fourth quarter on Marysville Pilchuck’s final two drives.
“Our quarterback was really good tonight,” Carson said. “And you know what, we expect a lot out of him this year. He did a great job throwing the ball, managing the offense and running the ball.
“He made some big plays for us, as he should. He’s a second-year starter and we’re kind of looking for him (to lead the way) because he’s one of our only returners.”
Kamiak looked like it was going to take the game in hand early by scoring touchdowns on three of its first four possessions. Unfortunately for the Knights, they missed the PAT kick after the third touchdown which would ultimately prove costly.
The Tomahawks scored a touchdown on their third possession and then got another TD in the closing seconds of the first half.
At Goddard Stadium
Marysville Pilchuck7 7 0 7 — 21
Kamiak7 13 0 0 — 20
K—Donte Hamilton 17 pass from Connor Hamilton (Simon Forster kick)
MP—Ray Pimentel 5 run (Jason Lopp kick)
K—Alex Indelicato 61 run (Simon Forster kick)
K—Connor Hamilton 2 run (kick failed)
MP—Keshaun King 6 pass from Erik Lind (Jason Lopp kick)
MP—Tristan Southard 10 pass from Erik Lind (Jason Lopp kick)
Records—Marysville Pilchuck 1-0 overall. Kamiak 1-0.
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