Marysville Pilchuck gets boost from Valencia in win

MARYSVILLE — The Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks have one of the most dynamic running backs in the state in junior Austin Joyner, but they have plenty of other players who are capable of producing out of the backfield.

Friday night, it was JJ Valencia’s turn.

The junior running back rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries to lead the Tomahawks to a 37-24 victory over Lake Stevens.

“There was great blocking up front,” Valencia said. “We emphasized that a lot this week.

Lake Stevens held Joyner in check for nearly two quarters before he busted a 48-yard run just before halftime. He finished the first half with 64 yards on six carries and the game with 152 yards on 13 carries.

While 152 yards is a great game for most players, not many teams are able to hold Joyner to that low of a total — and that only benefited Valencia.

“Whenever I get the ball, I just want to run hard and get the pressure off of Austin,” Valencia said. “That way he can be deadly and I can just help him out and support him.”

Having multiple running backs who can produce the way Joyner and Valencia can is certainly a blessing for Tomahawks head coach Brandon Carson.

“We knew going into the season that a lot of people were going to key on Austin and they did a good job containing him in the first half …,” Carson said. “It really opens up the other stuff that we do. Obviously, JJ had a nice game tonight and I was real impressed with how (quarterback) Jake Luton threw the ball, too, and I thought our defense did a nice job defending the pass.”

Luton finished the game 6-for-15 for 112 yards and a 32-yard touchdown pass to Brayden Hopstad.

While Luton didn’t throw the ball much, his passing was enough to keep the Vikings’ defense off-balance.

Lake Stevens, meanwhile, struggled with its passing game. Sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason, who was the victim of multiple dropped passes in the first half, finished the game 8-for-30 for 184 yards and three interceptions.

“Obviously, we didn’t have a very good passing game tonight,” Lake Stevens coach Tom Tri said. “We struggled with our offensive-line protection, receivers dropped balls and guys didn’t run very good routes.”

It hasn’t been an easy beginning of the season for the Vikings, who lost 24-20 a week ago to defending 3A Wesco South champion Glacier Peak and followed that with Friday’s loss to the defending 3A Wesco North champions. It doesn’t get any easier for Lake Stevens, which has one final non-league tune up — next Friday against undefeated Oak Harbor — before opening league play on the road against last year’s Wesco 4A North champion, Monroe.

“We’re young,” Tri said. “We’re going to take our lumps for a while until we figure it out.”

While the Vikings were unable to get the passing game going, senior running back Austin Otis was a workhorse, running the ball 27 times for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tomahawks led 16-10 at halftime before Otis opened the second half scoring with a 68-yard touchdown run. Ignacio Ponce’s extra-point gave Lake Stevens its first lead of the game.

But it didn’t last long.

Marysville Pilchuck drove 80 yards in five plays and converted a two-point conversion to regain the lead at 24-17. Senior running back Deion Stell added a 46-yard touchdown run before the end of the third quarter to give the Tommies a 31-17 lead going into the final stanza.

Each team added a touchdown in the final quarter, with Marysville Pilchuck’s extra-point getting blocked to make up the final margin.

The Tomahawks have opened the season with back-to-back victories over 4A North opponents and have two more non-league games before opening up their conference schedule against Marysville Getchell on Oct. 4.

So far, Carson has liked what he has seen.

“Offensively, I’m happy with where we’re at,” he said. “Defensively, we’ve got a little bit of work to do, but we’ve got to continue to get better.”

Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Follow him on twitter @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.

At Quil Ceda Stadium

Lake Stevens 0 10 7 7 — 24

M. Pilchuck 7 9 15 6 — 37

MP—JJ Valencia 29 run (Ryan Spiva kick)

LS—Ignacio Ponce 17 FG

MP—Brayden Hopstad 32 pass from Jake Luton (kick blocked)

LS—Austin Otis 2 run (Ponce kick)

MP—Spiva 32 FG

LS—Otis 68 run (Ponce kick)

MP—Valencia 33 run (Hunter Trueax pass from Luton)

MP—Deion Stell 46 run (Spiva kick)

MP—Valencia 8 run (kick blocked)

LS—Andrew Grimes 3 run (Ponce kick)

Records—Lake Stevens 0-2, Marysville Pilchuck 2-0

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.