Suffocating defense leads Archbishop Murphy over Eatonville (video)

The Wildcats hold the Vikings to just 4 total yards in a season-opening 23-3 victory.

EVERETT — Archbishop Murphy orchestrated a dominant defensive performance and scored a 23-3 nonconference, season-opening win over visiting Eatonville on Thursday night at Terry Ennis Stadium.

The Wildcats allowed just 4 total yards of offense and were a special teams miscue and a pair of penalties away from a shutout.

Junior running back Mason Mathis ran for 120 yards and a score on 17 carries, and Dillon Halpin caught six pass for 77 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Victor Gabalis. Max Henderson converted all three of his field-goal attempts, hitting from 18, 22 and 37 yards out.

IMPACT

After reaching the Class 2A state tournament semifinals last year, the Wildcats opened the season with a convincing win, relying largely on a stingy defense that completely grounded Eatonville’s offensive attack.

TOP PERFORMERS

Mason Mathis — Mathis led the Wildcats with 120 rushing yards on 17 carries and ran for a 36-yard touchdown on an inside handoff. Mathis also snagged a late interception.

Josh McCarron — The sophomore defensive lineman was active all night, accounting for at least three sacks and a fumble recovery. He was part of a defense that held Eatonville to negative 20 rushing yards.

Dillon Halpin — Halpin, a senior wideout, proved to be Gabalis’ favorite target. Halpin caught six passes for 77 yards and hauled in a 17-yard touchdown.

Max Henderson — The Wildcats senior kicker was a perfect 5-for-5 on the night. He made field goals from 18, 22 and 37 yards and drilled both his PATs.

Hunter Brooks — The Eatonville senior linebacker offered a bright spot for the Cruisers. Brooks recorded a pair of sacks and helped make critical red zone and short-yardage stops that prevented the score from swelling in Murphy’s favor.

TURNING POINT

Archbishop Murphy’s Jack Barnes pounced on a loose football early in the second quarter when Eatonville’s long snapper sent a ball flying over his punter’s head. The Wildcats, leading 3-0, recovered on Eatonville’s 17-yard line, and the next play Gabalis found Halpin for a 17-yard score. Two field goals later, and the Wildcats took a 16-0 lead into halftime.

QUOTES

“We are a young team, and that showed at times tonight, but I am really proud of how the boys came out and competed. … Our defensive coaches do a great job with our defense to get them prepared, and they really love to play defense. They did a great job, and we’ll keep riding them as long as we can.” — Archbishop Murphy coach Jerry Jensen

“Our defense was lights out. Like it’s been the last few years, our defense is giving us energy everyday. At practice, it gives us energy, and we came out here and did the same thing. We always trust that the brother next to us is going to make the play, and that brings us the chemistry that we need to perform.” — Archbishop Murphy WR/DB Dillon Halpin

“They are just very, very impressive up front. They are going to give a lot of teams difficultly up front. Hats off to how well they played defensively.” — Eatonville coach Gavin Kralik

OVERCOMING INJURIES

Jensen praised Murphy’s ability to overcome some bad injury luck. The Wildcats ran out a young offensive line, and multiple players complimented the work of sophomore lineman Marc Galvagno.

“Marc Galvagno really stepped up,” Gabalis said. “He worked his butt off all summer long. He just came out and balled out. I was really happy for him. He did really well.”

LOOKAHEAD

The Wildcats face a huge test next week against Hockinson, the defending 2A state champion. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Terry Ennis Stadium. Eatonville next faces Evergreen.

Click here for box score

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

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.