EVERETT — Non-conference play allows for the largest margin of error, and Marysville-Pilchuck took full advantage of that.

In a battle of 2009 regional champions, the Tommies crawled away with a 27-22 victory Sept. 3 after clawing their way back into the game.

M-P coach Brandon Carson said that a win such as this is exactly what his team needed.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better non-conference game coming out of the gate,” Carson said. “Usually you want to schedule an easier game to start the season, but our guys got to find out right away what it takes to win against a good team.”

The Tommies trailed 14-0 in the first quarter at Everett Memorial Stadium as a few turnovers and defensive miscues were exploited by Jackson.

It wasn’t until the second half that Tommies mounted their comeback, starting with a pair of short yardage scampers by quarterback Tylor Klep, making the score 14-13.

“They did a good job of not getting too down or too up,” said Carson about his team. “We maintained the same focus throughout the game until we came away with the win, and that is an important step.”

Halfback Tyler Thompson then gave the Tommies a 21-14 lead in the fourth quarter, but Jackson countered with a touchdown to retake the lead, 22-21 with less than two minutes remaining.

But Andre Pina countered less than a minute later, scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 35-yard sprint.

Carson said he was impressed by his boys’ team effort, especially in the running game.

“I thought we had a great collective effort in running the ball, which is how it’s going to have to be this year,” he said. “It can’t be like last year when we relied on Austin Denton, we have to have everybody step up.”

M-P travels to Edmonds Woodway Sept. 10 for its second of three non-conference games. Game time is 5 p.m.