Marysville-Pilchuck outlasts Skyview

The Tomahawk football team prevailed against what was probably their most challenging opponent this season.

Marysville-Pilchuck defeated Skyview of Vancouver 47-41 to pick up the win in the Nike CBA Football Classic, formerly known as Best of the West. The Sept. 18 game was one of five that pitted top teams from Washington and California against one another.

Once again, the Tomahawks went to their running game to pick up the win. Seniors A.J. Kvangnes and Austin Denton continued their unstoppable streak, combining to rack up over 500 yards on the ground and averaging 13.5 and 11 yards per carry.

Skyview scored first as quarterback Austin Dodge connected with one of his receivers on a 52-yard scoring pass. But the Tomahawks answered and M-P tied the game on a drive that ended in a two-yard quarterback keeper by senior Zack Hanson, what would be the first of his two touchdowns in the game. A four-yard carry by Denton gave the Tommies a lead that Skyview proceeded to tie.

But Denton and Kvangnes each added another touchdown for a 28-14 lead after 12 minutes of play, both scores coming on breakaway runs of 70 and 54 yards.

Each would go on to add another touchdown before the end of the game.

Offensively, it was one of the Tomahawks’ closest games in recent memory, with total yards in similar ratio to the score, the Tommies producing 555 and allowing 445.

“Defensively they spread us out and forced us to make open field tackles which we struggled with on Friday,” said M-P coach Brandon Carson. “I think we will learn a lot from this game. When you play a team like Skyview, you can’t afford to make many mistakes.”

Denton continues to be a workhorse for the Tomahawk offense and has almost as many carries as the rest of the team combined through three games.

But football fans haven taken note as Kvangnes has emerged as a powerful option for M-P and matched Denton’s output against Skyview.

“A.J. played really well on Friday,” Carson added. “He had some big runs for us in tough situations. He has been outstanding for us all season. I couldn’t be happier for him because he works harder than anyone we have.”

Contact Marysville Globe Sports Reporter Danielle Szulczewski at dszulczewskir@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300.

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