Arlington falls, season is over

By CHRIS McMULLEN

Herald Writer

STANWOOD – The Mount Vernon Bulldogs football team is headed to the state playoffs for the first time since 1984, but to get there, they had to overcome a stifling Arlington defense.

Mount Vernon pulled off a 14-7 victory in Tuesday’s Class 3A Northwest District playoff game.

Heading into the game, Arlington and Mount Vernon had combined to beat their opponents 498-226.

There would be no such domination is this game.

Arlington coach John Boitano was very disappointed after the loss. He met with his players on the field and shook all of his senior players hands, congratulating them on a great season.

“It was an outstanding football game. I am very disappointed that we lost, but the consolation is that Mount Vernon is a great football team over there,” he said.

“This is a great group of seniors, they made it very fun to be around, but we wanted to play some more football.”

Things certainly started well for Arlington.

It took the Eagles just four plays to go 59 yards for the opening score. Quarterback Kevin McCormack threw 49 yards to a wide-open Tom Newell for the touchdown.

That 7-0 lead would stay on the board until 11:01 remaining in the fourth quarter when Mount Vernon running back Kurt Van Selus ran in from 1 yard out. The Bulldogs would not be denied.

It takes a bit of luck to win eight games in a high school football season, as Arlington did this year. The luck may have run out for the Eagles in the second quarter.

Arlington wide receiver Nick Yoney caught a swing pass and rumbled for a 12-yard gain, dragging a couple of Bulldog tacklers in the process.

This is where the bad luck occurred. Yoney came up limping and spent the rest of the first half icing his right hip. He never returned to action.

Arlington went into halftime with the 7-0 lead, but it could easily have been 21-0.

After the Arlington defense forced a fumble, the Eagles were driving again. McCormack had a fourth and 5 from the Bulldog 21 and found a wide-open Joe Boitano for what looked like another touchdown. Boitano was too wide open, dropping the potential touchdown and ending the drive.

Arlington had yet another chance to increase its lead. Facing a third and 5 from the Bulldog 11-yard line with 1:25 left in the half, McCormack again saw a wide open Boitano in the end zone. This time, Bulldog defensive back Andy Tweedle came out of nowhere and intercepted the pass in the end zone.

The Arlington defense held tough for much of the game. Forcing three fumbles and recovering two, the Eagles looked like they would not be scored on all game.

The fourth quarter was magical for the Bulldogs.

With 9:02 remaining in the game, a punt gave Mount Vernon the ball at the Eagle 41-yard line.

Mount Vernon, smelling the victory, handed it off to Van Selus and he took it the whole 41 yards himself, busting the run up the gut for the eventual game-winner.

Arlington finishes with a record of 8-2.

“I really regret that loss to Lake Stevens now. I know I will regret this one too,” coach Boitano said.

When asked how much losing Yoney affected his team, Boitano added, “That was big, real big.”

The Bulldogs (9-1) will play Saturday against a team yet to be determined.


Arlington-T. Newell 49 pass from McCormack (Joseph kick)

Mount Vernon-Van Selus 1 run (Knue kick)

Mount Vernon-Van Selus 41 run (Knue kick)

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Snohomish, Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), who will be coached by his third offensive line coach in three seasons in 2025, lines up in Seattle's 20-17 win over San Francisco at Levi's Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire shows they’re serious about offensive line

New offensive coordinator bringing in veterans with hopes of improving front.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Stanwood High School football coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Stanwood football coach lands new Gig

Jeff Scoma, who resigned midseason in 2024, will coach Gig Harbor H.S. next season.

Mariners among biggest offseason losers

Juan Soto, LA Dodgers are among winners as baseball begins.

High schoolers challenge Trump’s ban of trans athletes

Two transgender high school students have challenged President Trump’s executive order barring… Continue reading

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.