Arlington tiptoes by Jackson

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Eagles’ 3-0 start this season might surprise area coaches who picked them to finish next-to-last in the Wesco North.

But Arlington quarterback Jake Parduhn isn’t shocked. He knew the Eagles were capable of this.

“It feels great to win,” Parduhn said, “because we put in, I think, more work than any team in the offseason.”

With performances like this, it’s hard to disagree.

Dylan Lindberg caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Parduhn that lifted the unbeaten Arlington High School football team to a 28-22 non-league victory over Jackson Friday in a non-division game at Larson Stadium.

Parduhn passed for three TDs and completed 17 of 25 passes for 261 yards. He also rushed for 97 yards, putting together another outstanding all-around effort.

On the winning play, Lindberg streaked up the middle, uncovered, and made his fifth reception of the game. It sent the home crowd into a frenzy, and handed Jackson (2-1) its first loss of the year.

“We started running the seam (route) down the middle and we had great success with that, so we just went with that at the end of the game and it worked out for us,” Parduhn said.

With about seven minutes to go in regulation, Jackson’s Taylor Cox made a leaping interception of a Parduhn pass. Jackson hoped to generate a clock-eating drive, but Arlington tightened up and forced a punt.

On third down Jackson came up just inches short.

“The bottom line,” Jackson head coach Joel Vincent said, “is we just couldn’t get it done.”

Arlington tied it with 1 minute, 35 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when Parduhn scored on a 2-yard keeper run and then completed a two-point conversion pass to Sherman Pruitt.

The TD was set up by a 26-yard fourth-down completion to Jon Shell. Arlington head coach Greg Dailer called a timeout before the play and came up with some magic. Shell ran to the left corner and was wide open.

“Jon Shell made a huge catch there on the corner and Parduhn obviously threw an awesome ball,” Dailer said.

In overtime, Jackson had the ball first, starting from the 25-yard line. Arlington’s defense held their ground and Jackson’s Daniel Sullivan narrowly missed a 34-yard field goal attempt.

Arlington, which then started from the 25-yard line, won it on its third play. It gives the Eagles a boost heading into next week’s homecoming against Lake Stevens, Arlington’s first division opponent of the season.

“Coming into Wesco North next week, we were picked to be at the bottom of the division. But they better watch out because we’re coming,” Parduhn said.

Arlington accomplished something no team had done so far young season: score in the first quarter against Jackson. The Eagles, on their second possession of the game, jumped to a 7-0 lead when Conner Varnell caught a 2-yard TD pass.

It capped an efficient eight-play, 67-yard drive in which Parduhn was 4-for-4 passing for 51 yards and ran three times for 15 yards.

Jackson went three-and-out its first time with the ball. But, fueled by Riley Carr’s running and receiving, the Timberwolves cut it to 7-6 on their next possession. After plowing up the middle for a few good gains, Carr caught a short pass from Andy Gay, cut to the left sideline and dove into the corner of the end zone. The 27-yard scoring play got Jackson within one point.

Arlington overcame a few letdowns, including a second-quarter drive that ended at the Jackson 3-yard line when time expired. They also failed to convert a fake punt early in the fourth quarter that led to Jackson’s final TD.

But none of that mattered, because Parduhn and the Eagles found a way to slice through Jackson’s secondary when it mattered most.

“We played our heart out — just made a few mental mistakes, mental errors, and it cost us the game,” Jackson’s Cox said.

At Arlington H.S.

Jackson09670—22

Arlington70786—28

Arlington-Varnell 2 pass from Parduhn (Pierce kick)

Jackson-Carr 27 pass from Gay (Sullivan kick failed)

Jackson-FG Sullivan 25

Arlington-Varnell 29 pass from Parduhn (Pierce kick)

Jackson-Cox 6 run (Gay pass failed)

Jackson-Cox 35 run (Sullivan kick)

Arlington-Parduhn 2 run (Pruitt pass from Parduhn)

Arlington-Lindberg 23 pass from Parduhn

Records-Jackson 2-1 overall. Arlington 3-0.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

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.