Marysville-Pilchuck football team rumbles past Snohomish
Published 11:43 pm Friday, September 11, 2009
SNOHOMISH — A year ago, Austin Denton was a little-known fullback until he ignited the Marysville-Pilchuck High School football team to a stunning 34-7 victory over Snohomish.
The difference today is that everyone knows Denton’s name and every M-P opponent wants to stop him.
They still can’t.
Denton and his teammates delivered another thumping Friday, blasting Snohomish 36-12. Just like last year, the Tomahawks made a huge statement in their Western Conference North Division opener.
“We just came out with the same mentality and (got) the same result,” said Denton, who plowed through and ran around defenders for 219 yards on 22 carries. He scored on touchdown bursts of 2 and 17 yards.
Denton wasn’t the only weapon for M-P (1-0 Wesco North, 2-0 overall). Running back AJ Kvangnes (nine carries, 137 yards, two TDs) had a breakout performance, proving to Snohomish (0-1, 1-1) and future foes that they can’t just focus on Denton.
Both backs raved about their offensive linemen. M-P, the defending North champion, has only one O-line starter back (tackle Brett Parsons) from 2008. But the reinforcements are beasts.
“Our line really got it done. We struggled this week in practice, but we really stepped it up,” said Kvangnes, who showed excellent speed while scoring on runs of 34 and 33 yards.
How does this Tomahawks’ line compare to last year, when Denton rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 18 TDs?
“The holes are even bigger this year,” he said. “They’re pushing guys farther back than they were last year. They’re bigger than they were last year too.”
M-P led 3-0 after one quarter but pulled away with a quick burst before halftime. The Tomahawks turned a Snohomish fumble, a recovery of its own kickoff and a devastating rushing attack to score 19 points in the final 8 minutes of the second quarter.
Denton had 140 yards and both of his TDs by halftime. It was 22-0 going into the final quarter and Snohomish never made it close.
“In the second half we made some adjustments and blocked really well up front. I was pleased with our defense most of the night,” M-P coach Brandon Carson said.
About that defense: The Tomahawks shut out Snohomish for three quarters, carrying a scoreless streak through the first seven quarters of the season. M-P beat Shorecrest 23-0 in week one.
“To be honest with you, I didn’t expect that we’d be that good defensively,” Carson said. “Our kids really stepped up and they played hard.”
Linebacker Siti Tamaivena, end Brennen Steinbaugh and defensive back Chris Larson sparkled on D. Tamaivena, a junior, made an interception in the second quarter and had a sack in the third. Linebacker Suli Tamaivena picked off a pass in the fourth, setting up M-P’s final TD.
Snohomish finally scored in the fourth quarter. Nick Hund (101 yards on 18 carries) had a 1-yard TD run and Justin Glaser caught a 12-yard scoring pass from Panthers quarterback Luke Perry.
M-P quarterback Zack Hanson was 0-for-6 passing. It didn’t matter. The Tomahawks rushed for 376 yards on 44 attempts.
Snohomish’s leaders were Hund, split end Jon McGee (four receptions, 54 yards) and Perry, who was 9-for-18 for 110 yards, one TD and two interceptions.
At Veterans Memorial Stadium
Marysville-Pilchuck319014—36
Snohomish00012—12
MP—Stokes FG 32
MP—Denton 2 run (Stokes kick)
MP—Denton 17 run (kick failed)
MP—Kvangnes 34 run (run failed)
Sno—Hund 1 run (Melander kick failed)
MP—Kvangnes 33 run (Stokes kick)
MP—Larson 16 run (Naff kick)
Sno—Glaser 12 pass from Perry (run failed)
Records-Marysville-Pilchuck 1-0 in division, 2-0 overall. Snohomish 0-1, 1-1.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.
