Eagles stay unbeaten

Published 11:35 pm Friday, September 23, 2011

MARYSVILLE — The Arlington High School football team gives the impression that it may in fact be something special.

The Eagles stayed undefeated Friday night with a methodical 45-28 dismantling of the Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks. It was the first Wesco North game of the season for both schools.

The Eagles followed a pattern similar to the one they used earlier in the year in a victory over the Mariner Marauders: come out with quarterback Blake McPherson slinging the football and, after that wears down the defense, call on running back Colton Hordyk to deliver the knockout blow.

McPherson completed 11 of 21 passes for 263 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, with 197 of those yards coming in the first half.

Hordyk carried the ball 12 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

But that doesn’t even begin to describe Hordyk’s impact on the game. He also reeled off a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown — a second 65-yard punt return for a touchdown minutes later was called back because of a penalty — kicked three extra points, played safety on defense and handled the kickoffs for the Eagles.

Well most of them anyway. Hordyk took a break from kicking late in the fourth quarter with the game in hand.

“No energy left,” Hordyk said when asked why he didn’t kick late in the game.

“He had a bunch of long runs and it was pretty humid tonight,” Arlington coach Greg Dailer said of Hordyk. “He got a little worn out. He kicks and he returns, then he plays safety and he plays running back and he plays receiver, so he does it all.”

Hordyk helped the Eagles to 372 yards of total offense, but they were outdone by the Tomahawks, who finished with 424 — thanks to Andre Pina.

Pina had 21 carries for 285 yards and two touchdowns, keeping the Tomahawks competitive for most of the game.

“That Pina kid is a heck of a football player,” Dailer said. “Kind of like Colton is for us, he is going to break it every once in a while.”

The Tomahawks out-gained the Eagles, but watching the game, there was no doubt which team was dominating. Marysville Pilchuck gained the most of its yardage in large spurts.

“I think for the majority of the game, the defense played really, really well,” Dailer said. “We gave up some long runs, but there weren’t any sustained drives to score.

“… Real proud of our defense, I don’t know if the overall stats are going to be what we hoped for.”

But again the Eagles dominated their opponent despite being outmanned by a large margin. The Eagles list just 27 players on their roster.

“We worry about it, but it doesn’t really do us any good,” Dailer said. “There is nothing we can do about it. We make sure we have backups lined up at all positions and we just hope for the best and hope for good health. We can’t spend time worrying about that because, if it happens, you just have to deal with it.

“We just hope for the best and go out there and get them.”

Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Contact him at aaronlommers@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @aaronlommers.

At Marysville Pilchuck H.S.

Arlington 20 7 12 6 — 45

Marysville Pilchuck 7 7 7 7 — 28

Arl–Elgarico 24 pass from McPherson (Hordyk kick)

MP–Pina 80 run (Naff kick)

Arl–Brummel 38 pass from McPherson (Hordyk kick)

Arl–Kahler 70 fumble return (kick failed)

Arl–Brummel 60 run (Hordyck kick)

MP–Merkt 77 run (Naff kick)

MP–Stell 27 pass from Luton

Arl–McPherson 5 run (kick failed)

Arl–Hordyk 55 punt return (kick blocked)

MP–Pina 57 run (Naff kick)

Arl–Hordyk 37 run (kick blocked)

Records–Arlington 1-0 league, 4-0 overall. Marysville Pilchuck 0-1, 2-2.