No. 3 M-P advances to semifinals against No. 1 Bellevue after 63-6 romp

It was supposed to be a battle between Marysville-Pilchuck’s potent running game against Columbia River’s impressive passing game. But the Tomahawk defense never let the Chieftains get on track with a quick pass rush and close coverage, winning the state quarterfinal football game 63-6 in Vancouver Saturday.

By Steve Powell • November 22, 2014 9:56 pm
Coach Brandon Carson will lead the Marysville-Pilchuck football squad to the state semifinals against top-ranked Bellevue Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Tacoma Dome.
Coach Brandon Carson will lead the Marysville-Pilchuck football squad to the state semifinals against top-ranked Bellevue Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Tacoma Dome.

It was supposed to be a battle between Marysville-Pilchuck’s potent running game against Columbia River’s impressive passing game. But the Tomahawk defense never let the Chieftains get on track with a quick pass rush and close coverage, winning the state quarterfinal football game 63-6 in Vancouver Saturday.

As a result, No. 3-ranked M-P will advance to the state semifinal game at the Tacoma Dome against defending champion Bellevue.  The No. 1 ranked Wolverines beat Peninsula 31-7 to advance. Game time Friday is 7:30 p.m.

At Vancouver, Austin Joyner ran for 201 yards and five touchdowns on 12 carries. Killian Page scored three times and ran for 186 yards on 13 tries. Page also stood out on defense, with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

It was Page’s first interception midway through the first quarter that took the wind out of the home team. Page ran the interception back 42 yards then scored on a 38-yarder on the next play to make it 13-0 after the kick was blocked at the 6:32 mark.  Joyner scored first on a 12-yard run at the 8:48 mark. A 39-yard run by Page set up that score.

Columbia River had its best drive of the game, thanks to 25 yards in penalties against M-P and 26 yards in passing by Chieftain quarterback Gabe Evenson. But Page’s interception ended that threat.

Columbia River had another good drive on its next possession, but the threat ended at the M-P 19-yard line.  It took M-P just three plays to score after a 16-yard run by Joyner, 23 yards by Page, and a 45-yard TD by Joyner to make it 21-0 with 3:22 to play in the first quarter after a two-point conversion by Joyner.

After a short punt, M-P then scored in two plays. Joyner scored on a 48-yard run to make it 28-0 with 1:08 left, still in the first period.

Page intercepted his second pass, giving the Tommies great field position again. A few plays later Joyner scored a 4-yard TD to make it 35-0.  He also scored with 6:25 left in the half on a 22-yarder, making it 42-0.  Page scored on a 12-yarder with 2:16 left to make it 49-0.  Page picked up a fumble and returned it 26 yards, but the half ended.

Page picked up where he left off at the start of the second half, running 40 yards for a score to make it 56-0. M-P kept piling it on, despite a running clock and the second string in. Galdino Fajardo went on a 68-yard jaunt, setting up a 2-yard TD run by Keshaun King.

Columbia River avoided a shutout with a 31-yard pass with 3:05 left in the game.