That was the theme entering Friday night’s non-conference matchup between Wesco 3A/2A North Stanwood and Wesco 4A Arlington for the opportunity to either reclaim or retain the Stilly Cup.
The Spartans (2-3 overall) snapped the Eagles’ (6-0) 13-year win streak in 2022 to lift the trophy for the first time since 2009. Last year, Arlington routed Stanwood 42-7 to retake the prize, and a similar result occurred this season with the No. 5-ranked Eagles limiting their archrival to only seven points in a 33-7 victory, retaining the trophy for another year.
“We feel we could have played better in many aspects. But at the end of the day, it’s a win,” Arlington senior running back Caleb Reed said. “We’re a force to be reckoned with. … Teams should be feared of us because … we’re going to hit you hard — defense, offense, special teams. … This is our cup, not theirs.”
Reed charged his way to three rushing touchdowns and 96 total yards. Senior quarterback Leyton Martin scrambled for a seven-yard touchdown and threw for a 27-yard score, connecting with senior wide receiver Chase Deberry in the second quarter. Martin concluded the night having completed 14 of 21 passes for 258 yards.
“(We) don’t worry about who we’re playing,” Martin said. “We’ll see what they do, but just be ourselves and do what we do best. … (Stanwood) gave us a light box and space in the field to throw some key screens. So we executed really well throughout. … Everyone competed for one another. Everyone in our locker room has each other’s backs, and you don’t see that everywhere.”
The Eagles scored on their first drive of the contest, which stemmed from a lengthy kickoff return by Deberry, who brought it out to the Arlington’s’ 44-yard line. A pass-interference call in the endzone also led to Reed’s first score.
“I’m happy with the way the defense played, except for one drive,” a smiling Eagles coach Greg Dailer said. “I’m happy with how our line played. … We didn’t play great the whole time, so that’s frustrating a little bit. Just a lot of penalties. The game was really, like, disjointed. It was really tough to get into a flow.
“(Reed) is an animal. And then our o-line is one of the best we’ve ever had. So that combination is great,” he continued. “We got a great receiving core and an awesome quarterback. … And we know if they give us a light box, then we’re going to run the football.”
Stanwood punted on its first drive but quickly got the ball back after the Spartans’ defense forced a fumble. Arlington returned the favor on Stanwood’s next drive, recovering a fumble of their own in their half of the field. An 18-yard rush by Reed, 19-yard reception by senior wide receiver Jake Willis and Martin’s rushing touchdown spread the lead by 12 points.
Stanwood senior safety Joey Mumbuluma intercepted an Eagles’ pass on the last play of the half. The Spartans trailed 26-0 at halftime.
“(Arlington) played a heck of a game,” Stanwood coach Mark Flickinger said. “We know we’re going to get spread. We know they’re going to be in a three-three stack. And it was our job to come out and play our game. And we just struggled at points.”
The Spartans received the ball to begin the third quarter and took nearly seven minutes off the clock to get on the scoreboard. Facing fourth down from Arlington’s 15-yard line, sophomore quarterback Alex Maldonado connected with sophomore running back Eben Bland Jr. to give locals something to cheer for and notch Stanwood’s only score.
A nine-yard rushing touchdown by Reed near the end of the quarter comfortably secured the win for the Eagles.
“We did enough to beat Stanwood,” Dailer said, “and that’s great.”
Stanwood’s Cole Williams reacts to the referee call an incomplete pass instead of an interception during the game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood players stand on the sideline before the start of the Stilly Cup game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Cole Williams has pass interference called causing Arlington’s Jake Willis to miss a pass during the Stilly Cup game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Jace Graham reacts to a tackle during the Stilly Cup game against Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A tackle by Arlington’s Kaid Hunter causes Stanwood’s Ethan Burke to the fumble the ball resulting in a turnover during the Stilly Cup game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Leyton Martin runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the Stilly Cup game against Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Eli Walker waits outside of the locker room before the start of the Stilly Cup game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Cooper Case reaches out to try and tackle Stanwood’s Alex Maldonado during the Stilly Cup game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Chase Deberry escapes a tackle by Stanwood’s Canyon Bumgarner during the Stilly Cup game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Chase Deberry is lifted in the air to celebrate his touchdown during the Stilly Cup game against Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Jake Willis reaches up to block a pass to Stanwood’s Preston Turner during the Stilly Cup game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Levi Reid reacts to his tackle during the Stilly Cup game against Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Canyon Bumgarner grabs Arlington’s Kaid Hunter to tackle him during the Stilly Cup game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Leyton Martin runs with the ball during the Stilly Cup game against Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Dylan Scott lifts teammates Caleb Reed to celebrate Reed’s touchdown during the Stilly Cup game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Alex Maldonado throws the ball during the Stilly Cup game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Alex Maldonado runs with the ball during the Stilly Cup game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Jake Willis makes a catch during the Stilly Cup game against Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Cruise Swanson is tackled by Arlington’s Chase Deberry and Clay Heuer during the Stilly Cup game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Ethan Burke runs the ball during the Stilly Cup game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Caleb Reed runs the ball during the Stilly Cup game against Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Caleb Reed runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the Stilly Cup game against Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Shawn Porter escapes a tackle while running the ball during the Stilly Cup against Arlington game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Eben Bland Jr runs the ball during the Stilly Cup game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Alex Maldonado looks for a teammate to throw the ball to during the Stilly Cup game against Arlington on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington players lift the Stilly Cup in the air after beating Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Leyton Martin looks down at the Stilly Cup after beating Stanwood on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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