MARYSVILLE — The situation for Marysville-Pilchuck was simple: lose and there’s no chance at making it back to the state playoffs this season.

But the Tomahawks re-inserted themselves into the middle of the playoff picture with an impressive 38-21 win over Lake Stevens Oct. 15.

“We’re right back in it,” said M-P senior Tyler Thompson. “We knew we had to win this game to stay alive and now we even got a shot at hosting a playoff.”

With a 2-2 Wesco North record, the Tommies sit in third place with one more week of play remaining.

The win couldn’t come at a better time, or in a better way, as the Tommies dominated the Vikings in every aspect of the game, starting with the defense. M-P forced six turnovers, including three interceptions by Thompson and fellow safety Kyle Miller.

“We went to a double-safety set this week and Brandon (Barrett) and I were getting great reads,” he said.

The Tommies wasted no time getting on the board, scoring their first touchdown in less than a minute on quarterback Tylor Klep’s 13-yard keeper. Klep scored again in the first quarter after initially being stuffed on the goal line from a yard out he bounced outside, carrying a defender to give the Tommies a 14-0 lead.

“The thing about Tylor is he’s one tough kid, I couldn’t have asked for a better quarterback,” said M-P coach Brandon Carson. “That was a big play for us when he went back on that second effort, it really gave us the momentum.”

Klep scored again in the second quarter, just before the half to put the Tommies up 21-0 at halftime.

“It kind of surprised me to be up by that much because Lake Stevens is such a tough offense,” said Thompson, who had two interceptions.

The Vikings scored to open the second half, and forced M-P to a three-and-out, but Thompson’s second interception gave M-P a short field, which Klep finished off for his fourth rushing TD of the game. He had 95 yards total.

M-P forced a fumble on the following Lake Stevens possession and Thompson completed an 18-yard sprint to the end zone five plays later for a score. He finished with 152 yards on the ground.

“Tyler had such a great day on both sides of the ball,” said Carson. “This is a great coming out game for him. I know he’s been frustrated this season because he’s wanted to be more productive, but he was huge for us tonight.”