Arlington shuts down Everett

Eagles’ defense contains Challman in 35-14 victory

By KEVIN BREIWICK

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Someone finally had an answer for Everett’s Ben Challman.

Thursday night it was Arlington, which held the Seagulls’ fullback to 61 yards rushing in the Eagles’ 35-14 Western Conference 3A victory at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Challman has been a dominant player for Everett (3-1 in league, 4-2 overall) this season. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound senior fullback had rushed for 200-plus yards in his previous two games.

However, against Arlington (3-1, 5-1), Challman had just 35 yards rushing in the first half.

"Because we struggle against the run, that was absolutely huge," Arlington coach John Boitano said about shutting down Challman.

Boitano said Arlington had worked all week in practice on trying to stop Challman.

Arlington also worked on another facet of their game in practice.

"We made up our mind up last week we were going to throw the ball better," Boitano said.

Arlington quarterback Kevin McCormack threw two touchdown passes, both in the first half.

McCormack’s biggest play came when the Eagles trailed 14-7 with five seconds left in the first half. McCormack threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to running back Joseph Boitano to tie the score at 14-14.

"I’ve never been that excited before," Joseph Boitano said of halftime, "and I was tired."

Everett ate nearly nine minutes off the clock on its opening drive of the third quarter, but turned the ball over on downs on the Arlington 10-yard line.

On the ensuing possession, the Eagles marched 90 yards, capped by John Hammer’s 9-yard touchdown run.

The Eagles’ ensuing kickoff was a squib kick, which they recovered. On the next play, Joseph Boitano ran 31 yards for a touchdown to give Arlington a 28-14 lead. Joseph Boitano added a 3-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

"Our line did awesome," Joseph Boitano said. "They deserve more than half the credit."

Everett running back Brian Price rushed for 121 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 37-yard TD run.

In the first quarter, Price returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown, but the play was called back because of a clipping penalty.

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Arlington014147—34 Everett

7

7

0

0

—

14

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Everett—Price 37 run (Reme kick)

Arlington—Yoney 13 pass from McCormack (Anderson kick)

Everett—Price 1 run (Reme kick)

Arlington—Boitano 4 pass from McCormack (Anderson kick)

Arlington—Boitano 31 run (Anderson kick)

Arlington—Boitano 3 run (Anderson kick)

Records—Arlington 3-1 in league, 5-1 overall. Everett 3-1, 4-2.