MARYSVILLE — Marysville Pilchuck’s run-heavy offense can be hard to stop when the likes of Jordan Justice and Dylan Carson are running behind the Tomahawks’ big offensive line.
But it’s even more potent when its passing attack can stretch the field.
That was on full display on Friday, as Tomahawks quarterback Jake Elwood connected with ace wideout Dillon Kuk for two touchdowns and the Tomahawks (5-0, 3-0, Wesco 3A north) routed Stanwood (2-3, 1-3), 56-22 at Quil Ceda Stadium.
“Kuk is a really good receiver,” Tomahawks head coach Brandon Carson said. “He’s one of the better ones we’ve had in quite some time. … (Elwood and Kuk) had some really nice connections and they really helped us out in the first half.”
Marysville Pilchuck’s first completion was Elwood’s largest of the day, as the senior signal-caller hit Kuk in stride on a slant and the senior wide receiver took off for a 40-yard touchdown, putting the Tomahawks up 10-0 midway through the first quarter.
Their next connection came about one minute into the second quarter, as Kuk beat his defender on a skinny post and Elwood lofted it to him for a 34-yard touchdown, putting Marysville Pilchuck up 23-0.
“They were trying to play press, I’m not really sure why, but that really worked in our favor,” Kuk said. “I feel like I can beat anyone in the league in press.”
Kuk finished with 124 yards receiving on four catches and Elwood completed 5-of-7 passes for 138 yards.
When Kuk finds open space, it’s an immensely valuable asset for Elwood and the Tomahawks.
“He’s a stud, almost everyone that lines up against him,” Elwood said. “Nothing new, we just got a chance to show it off.”
If that continues, the Tomahawks feel the sky is the limit.
“When we can all click like that, there’s no one that can beat us,” Elwood said. “We can go against any team that we’ll ever go against.”
OTHER KEY PERFORMERS
— Senior tailback Justice led the Tomahawks rushing attack with 153 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns. He also had an interception on defense.
— Marysville Pilchuck sophomore running back Carson found the end zone twice and rushed for 104 yards on 13 carries.
— Marysville Pilchuck junior running back Jay Gray racked up 75 yards on the ground and scored a rushing touchdown.
— In garbage time, Tomahawk sophomore Carson Kuchera broke off a 91-yard touchdown run on his second carry of the game.
— Senior Zane Schweiger led the Spartans with 58 yards on seven carries, including a touchdown.
IMPACT
The Tomahawks remained undefeated, both overall and in league play, and in two weeks will host Ferndale, which is also undefeated. The winner of that matchup, barring either team stumbling beforehand, will dictate who will be in the driver’s seat in Wesco 3A South.
Stanwood is tied for fifth in the league with Marysville Getchell after the Chargers narrowly lost to Arlington on Friday.
QUOTABLE
Carson on the Tomahawks’ overall performance: “You know, we did some things well, but there was too many penalties. Our defense did a decent job at times, but we’re not where we want to be by any stretch of the imagination.”
UP NEXT
The Tomahawks face bitter crosstown rival Marysville Getchell in the annual Berry Bowl at Quil Ceda Stadium next week in a 7 p.m. contest, while Stanwood takes on Shorecrest on the road.
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