MARYSVILLE — The Tommies played turnover-free football for the first time this season, and the result was the best so far.
“We didn’t have any turnovers and it’s amazing what happens when you don’t give away the ball,” said Marysville-Pilchuck coach Brandon Carson.
In a 48-7 blowout of Stanwood, M-P regained its form Oct. 1 with defense and a solid ground game.
Andre Pina led the Tomahawk attack with his third 100-yard game of the season, gaining 157 yards on 10 carries and scoring a touchdown.
“Andre was able to utilize his speed and get to the outside and turn the corner a few times, but it wasn’t just him,” said Carson. “Tyler Thompson had some nice runs and our quarterback Tylor Klep was able to stretch them out a bit — it was a team effort.”
M-P earned a 34-7 advantage by halftime. Pina opened the game with a 7-yard score and Klep had a pair of touchdown runs of 2 and 12 yards. Then Thompson ended a 20-point second quarter with a 74-yard sprint to the goal line. He finished with 96 yards on six rushes.
M-P won the turnover battle, forcing three Spartan giveaways, which resulted in a few short-field situations.
“The line really did a nice job of defending Friday night and dealing with a tough line,” Carson said.
Also scoring touchdowns for M-P were Cody House and Kyle Miller.
The Tommies turn their attention to Snohomish Oct. 8, which Carson expects to be a battle won in the trenches.
“Snohomish is going to run the ball at you, but maybe pass it just a little more than they have in the past,” he said. “If you look at their schedule, they haven’t faced a running team yet, so there is a little unknown there, but we’ll come out ready to play.”