By JOE JOHNSON
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE – It doesn’t get much simpler in high school football than “win and you’re in,” and Arlington knew that a victory over Marysville-Pilchuck on Thursday night would put them in the league playoffs next week. With that purest of motives driving them, the Eagles rolled out to a 20-0 halftime lead en route to a 28-6 Western Conference North victory over the host Tomahawks.
The victory clinched a playoff spot for Arlington, as the Eagles finished the regular season with a 6-2 conference record (7-2 overall). The loss was the seventh straight for Marysville-Pilchuck which finished its season at 2-6 in the conference (2-7 overall).
The Eagles got another outstanding performance from senior quarterback Kevin McCormack, who celebrated his 18th birthday in style, passing for 193 yards and a touchdown. Joseph Boitano also had a strong night for Arlington, rushing for 132 yards on 22 carries and catching six passes for 78 yards.
Arlington coach John Boitano praised the efforts of McCormack and Joseph Boitano.
“They’re both outstanding football players,” Boitano said. “They play both ways and just bring a lot of guts to our team. They really had tremendous nights for us in a must-win situation.”
On Arlington’s second possession, McCormack hooked up with Boitano on a 57-yard pass play to the M-P 5-yard line and two plays later McCormack scored on a 4-yard run. Ryan Nielsen’s PAT was good, and Arlington led 7-0 at the 4:54 mark of the first quarter.
The Tomahawks responded with a solid drive inside the Arlington 10-yard line, but came up empty when a fake field goal attempt was stopped short of the goal line.
Arlington then set sail on an 11-play, 95 yard scoring drive that was capped by Boitano’s 2-yard touchdown run. Nielsen’s second PAT put the Eagles up 14-0.
Arlington went to some razzle-dazzle to setup their final score in the first half. Facing third and 13 at the Tomahawk 31-yard line, McCormack passed to Michael Klein, who lateraled to Tyler Burt, who took the ball to the 15-yard line. On the next play, McCormack passed to Burt the old-fashioned way, and Burt made a spectacular falling catch in the end zone. The PAT failed, but Arlington was in control up 20-0 with less than a minute remaining in the first half.
After a scoreless third quarter, Arlington got a 3-yard touchdown run from Dan Dumovich, and went up 28-0 after Vince Willett’s conversion run.
The Tomahawks got on the board on their ensuing possession, with Justin Powers bursting through the middle for a 49-yard touchdown. The PAT failed and Arlington led 28-6 with just under seven minutes remaining.
As coach Boitano gathered his team on the field after the game, his thoughts were already moving ahead to next Tuesday’s playoff game. After the meeting, he commented that his team is coming together at the right time.
“We’re going into the playoffs on a very high note,” he said. “And that’s where you want to be.”
Arlington-Boitano 2 run (Nielsen kick)
Arlington-Burt 15 pass from McCormack (kick failed)
Arlington-Dumovich 3 run (Willett run)
M-P-Powers 49 run (kick failed)
Records-Arlington 6-2 in league, 7-2 overall. Marysville-Pilchuck 2-6, 2-7.
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Arlington-McCormack 4 run (Nielsen kick
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