MARYSVILLE — It is time once again for football season and training camp started for local football players on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The Tomahawks took a good look at their team and have high hopes for this season, with strong returning starters and skilled players making up for the graduated talent.
“You know, it has been a really good week,” said head coach Brandon Carson of the first days of practice. “We picked up where we left off last year.”
In the 2012 season, the Tommies went 9-3, ranking sixth in the state for Class 3A teams, one of only two Wesco teams to make it into the top 10. They had a good run in the post-season, making it to the state quarterfinals.
Marysville-Pilchuck graduated a number of key players including several members of their offensive line — Iggy Gabov, Ismael Perez, Conner Martinis and Jory Cooper.
“Offensively, obviously Jake Luton and Austin Joyner will be key this year,” said Carson. Quarterback Jake Luton is in his final year with M-P, while running back Joyner, who rushed more than 2,000 yards last season and attracted a lot of attention from universities, will have two more seasons as a Tomahawk. The rest of the offensive line is being decided in the weeks before the team’s first game.
“I’m very happy with what we did this spring and summer,” said Carson. “We are getting better at what we do and finding what we do best. We focus on being precise with our plays and just getting better every day.”
There are a number of returning players who are stepping up during the pre-season to show what they can do to help lead the Tommies to another Wesco North title.
“Deion Stell and Hunter Trueax will be important pieces of the puzzle,” said Carson. “Dante Fields, Chris Jones and Alex Gray are going to be key players for us, and Austin Schimke is looking really good so far.”
Marysville-Pilchuck will head up to Arlington to face the Eagles in their first game of the season on Friday, Sept. 6.
“Right now we are focusing on game one and then we will take it as is comes,” said Carson. “For the season, our main goal is to win the Wesco North title and we will reevaluate from there.”
