Big plays fuel Marysville Pilchuck’s success

The Marysville Pilchuck football team is always looking to make a big play.

And, usually, the Tomahawks get it.

Marysville Pilchuck has had 18 touchdowns of 40 yards or more this season and is 9-0 in games where it has a long score. Senior running backs Austin Joyner and Killian Page help ensure that it’s not really a question of if, but when, the Tomahawks will find the end zone.

“It’s really important how explosive we are,” Page said. “It’s really nice that we can score at any time. We have a really good variety of plays that we can run. We’re always trying to make big plays. It’s pretty important. If you score every time you get the ball you can’t really lose.”

Brandon Carson, the Marysville Pilchuck head coach, said that the big plays are a result of the athletes the Tomahawks have on the field.

“A lot of it has to do with the athletes,” Carson said. “It’s not something you count on. You can’t say, ‘OK, get me that 50-yard play. We don’t have that. … It’s our athleticism and how well our guys up front block. Those (running backs) get huge lanes to run through and they’re elusive in open space. Austin is incredibly fast and shifty and Killian’s a lot faster than people think and he’s just as shifty, too. And both of them run hard. They run through a lot of tackles in the secondary.

“I think they’re huge. When you get a big play I think it takes the wind out of the defenses’ sails a little bit. It’s like, ‘Well, wait a minute. What just happened here?’”

Page has had six touchdown runs of over 40 yards while Joyner has had eight rushes, three punt returns and a touchdown pass that went for more than 40 yards.

“We expect it, because it happens every game,” Joyner said. “There hasn’t been a game this year that I’ve played in, that Killian and I haven’t made big plays.”

The lone loss for Marysville Pilchuck (9-1), ranked No. 4 in the final Associated Press 3A poll of the season, came in Week 3 to No. 3-ranked O’Dea. Joyner missed that game with a hip injury and the Tomahawks were unable to get a big play against the Irish, who defeated Marysville Pilchuck 34-10.

“(Joyner) opens up the outside and I can run up the middle,” Page said. “Or it’s the other way around. I run up the middle and it opens up the outside.”

Added Joyner: “It’s important to have both of us in the system.”

When both are on the field it’s tough for opposing defenses to contain Marysville Pilchuck.

“We’re really disciplined and we execute really well,” Page said. “It’s not necessarily easy, but (the offensive line) creates big holes. … It really shifts momentum a lot. It kind of feels like it crushes (the other team) in a way whenever we go out and make a big play.”

Even when he’s on the sideline getting a breather Joyner listens in for the next play and watches to see if his partner in the backfield will break a long touchdown run.

“It’s great because sometimes I’ll be really tired and I’ll hear the play called and I know Killian’s going to get the ball and it’s a play that we score off of a lot,” Joyner said. “I kind of hope that he scores so I can get a little bit of a rest. It’s nice to have that ability to break a big one at any time.”

Both hope to continue the big plays in Saturday’s state quarterfinal game against Columbia River (9-2) as the Tomahawks try to make it to the state semifinals for just the second time in school history.

Columbia River head coach John O’Rourke said stopping the big play is something the Chieftains hope to accomplish against Marysville Pilchuck.

“They’re a very good team and whenever you have a Division 1 running back on your team that puts you in a position where the explosive play can make you look real good, real quick,” O’Rourke said. “That’s one of the biggest challenges is to try to contain (Joyner). But 10 schools before us tried and everybody else that has played them has had difficulty doing that.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

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

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink 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)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (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.