MARYSVILLE — By the time Bethel’s defenders would see Tyler Thompson, it would be too late.

The Tommies’ senior ran for 319 yards to help M-P earn its second state berth in as many years by defeating the Braves 48-23 in a winner-to-state contest Nov. 6 at Quil Ceda Stadium.

Thompson broke off a handful of runs of more than 20 yards, including touchdowns of 39, 60 and 90 yards.

“Once you get by that first tackler and you see that green, it’s a great feeling,” said Thompson. “The last time I ran like that I was 12 and it was juniors, but this is the big stuff.”

Despite scoring 48 points, M-P was held scoreless in the first quarter, but broke out in a big way with 20 points in the second quarter. Cody House ran in a 6-yard score and quarterback Tylor Klep kept the ball for an 18-yard TD. But it was Thompson’s 90-yard run with less than a minute remaining in the half that gave Marysville the cushion it would need.

Bethel came out of the second half scoring 10 straight points, to make the score 20-17, but the Tommies responded by running down the clock, and up the score.

“I was really impressed by he offensive line,” said M-P coach Brandon Carson. “(Bethel) came out with a different defense than we expected, packing eight in the box, and they made the adjustment.”

Carson was understating, as the Tommies ran for 468 yards spread across a number of carriers, including House and Klep.

The win sets Marysville-Pilchuck (7-3 overall) up with Issaquah in the first round of the state tournament. The game will be held at 7 p.m., Nov. 10 at Issaquah High School.