6:10 p.m.
Countdown to kickoff
We’re 50 minutes away from the start of the 2009 Stilly Cup game. It should be a good one.
It’s going to be pretty tough for the teams to pass the ball tonight. The wind is blowing like crazy.
On my drive through Smokey Point to Arlington (the game is at John C. Larson Stadium) I saw wire-suspended street lights swinging all over the place at intersections because of the wind. Then I passed a local business that had a giant American flag attached to a tall pole; the flag was flapping like mad.
And as for the grass field here at Larson Stadium, it’s not nearly as messy and water-logged as the one at Archbishop Murphy High, where I covered a game a few weeks ago. But this field is still pretty soggy. From the press box, I can see several sizable puddles between the 20-yard lines.
I’m going to head down to the field and maybe get some video and take a few photos.
*****
6:36 p.m.
This is Eagle Country
Arlington students are already packing their section of the home bleachers. They just went wild when the Eagles completed their first portion of warmups and jogged to the locker room.
It’s senior night for Arlington and right now the public-address announcer is introducing the team’s seniors and their parents. The crowd just gave them a big round of applause.
*****
6:55 p.m.
Close call on the sidelines
Maybe I shouldn’t stand so close to the players during pre-game warmups.
*****
7:13 p.m.
Score update: Stanwood 7, Arlington 0, 6:19 to go in first quarter
Stanwood took the ball 68 yards in eight plays (all runs) on the first possession of the game. Ryan Schroyer dived in for a 9-yard TD run.
*****
7:36 p.m.
Score update: Stanwood 14, Arlington 7, 7:17 to go in second quarter
*****
7:53 p.m.
Score update: Stanwood 21, Arlington 7, 1:43 to go in 2nd Q
Stanwood RB Brad Gee already has two TD runs (3 yards and 2 yards) and Schroyer has one. The offensive line has been dominant, opening huge holes for all the Spartans backs. Gee has 49 yards rushing on nine carries.
Arlington has turned the ball over three times on downs (twice in Stanwood’ s side of the field).
*****
8:07 p.m.
Halftime score: Stanwood 21, Arlington 7
Other Wesco football halftime scores:
Lake Stevens 19, Snohomish 13
Jackson 14, Cascade 0
Mountlake Terrace 7, Kamiak 0
*****
8:14 p.m.
In the first half, Stanwood had its way on the ground. The Spartans rushed for 182 yards on 33 carries, including two TDs by bruising RB Brad Gee. Stanwood’s offensive linemen controlled the line of scrimmage.
Gee had 49 yards on nine carries, Ryan Schroyer 95 yards on 10 carries and Ben Ulrich 33 yards on six carries.
Arlington’s only TD of the half was RB Riley Cobb’s 26-yard reception from QB Andy Smith. Smith passed effectively, completing 9 of 15 passes for 140 yards. Cobb (three receptions, 43 yards) has been his top target.
Stanwood’s stout defense limited Arlington to negative-22 yards on nine attempts. LB Jay Steik and DL Michael Randall were in on numerous stops.
The field is getting churned up and is turning into a giant mud puddle in the middle. It’s hard to see the numbers on the back of some Stanwood players because they are absolutely covered in mud.
*****
9:00 p.m.
Score update: Stanwood 21, Arlington 14, 4:15 to go in fourth Q
*****
9:37 p.m.
Final score: Stanwood 21, Arlington 14
Despite scoring zero points in the second half (Arlington’s defense and the rain/wind had a lot to do with that), Stanwood prevailed in the Stilly Cup game. Stanwood is the Wesco North No. 3 seed for the Class 4A quad-district playoffs and will play at KingCo No. 1 seed Bothell next week.
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