MONROE — The Tomahawks (8-0 overall, 5-0 Wesco) ran their way to another conference title with a 56-13 win over the Bearcats Oct. 23.
“It’s pretty nice to know that there is nothing that can happen from keeping us out of the playoffs,” said M-P coach Brandon Carson. “And getting a conference title is pretty special.”
Conditions were windy and rainy — perfect for a brute running team — as Marysville-Pilchuck dominated Monroe in every aspect of the game, but most notably the rushing game, amassing 350 yards.
And 202 of those yards came from fullback Austin Denton. Playing in just the second quarter, and three plays of the third, the 5-10, 210-pound back scored touchdowns of 3, 3, 65, 10 and 67 yards in a matter of 14 minutes.
“He broke a couple of big runs and was able to take it all the way down,” Carson said of Denton, who didn’t play last week due to a neck injury. “He has been feeling better, but he wasn’t 100 percent.”
The senior rushed for his seventh 200-yard game this season, giving him at 1,596 yards, which passed his 2008 total of 1,563 and puts him just 92 yards behind Kyle Woods’ 1994 school record of 1,688 yards in a season. His five touchdowns against Monroe gives him 21 on the season, just one behind Woods’ 1994 mark of 22.
Marysville owned a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, due to touchdown runs by Ryler Thompson (8 yards) and A.J. Kvangnes (6 yards). Also, a 30-yard interception return by linebacker Suli Tamaivena highlighted a Tomahawks defensive effort that allowed just one Monroe first down in the first half.
“They’ve been pretty good for us,” Carson said of brothers Suli and Simi Tamiavena, who play beside each other at linebacker and have a knack for creating scoring opportunities on defense. “If both of them aren’t around the ball, at least one of them is.”
Building off solid defense and sound special teams play, the Tomahawks limited time of possession for Monroe, while creating favorable field position for every drive.
The Tomahawks take on Oak Harbor for homecoming Oct. 30 with a perfect regular season and a number of records on the line.
