In one of the bigger state quarterfinal matchups this weekend the unbeaten and #3 ranked Eastside Catholic Crusaders travel up North to go to war with the #9 ranked and 9-2 Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks.
The Crusaders destroyed Kelso 69-13 in a 3A opening round game at Memorial stadium. The Tommies went on the road in their opener to upend Timberline 33-21 at South Sound stadium.
The Crusaders roll into Quil Ceda stadium in Marysville on Saturday night riding their hot-shot dual threat quarterback Trey Reynolds. The 6'0" 195 pound Senior threw for 219 yards and 4 touchdowns
in their victory over Kelso. Reynolds's favorite targets include Peter Kimball, a 6'2" 200 pound Senior high riser, who also doubles as defensive back and had an interception last week. Slick 6'0" 170 pound Senior wideout Johnny Michalik has snagged 9 touchdown catches on the season.
The Crusader run game is led by bruising halfback Henry Jarvis, a workhorse 5'11" 215 pound junior,
who rumbled for 60 yards and 3 scores against Kelso.
The big nasties up front for Eastside include stalwart offensive lineman Christian Shigley at 6'5" 275 pounds and brickhouse Hunter Hudgins a 6'5" 285 pounder. The defensive front is anchored
by sophomore road block Deion Fetui, a 6'0" 305 pounder, the Crusaders leading tackler. Junior defensive end Elisha Pa'aga at 5'10" 255 pounds is another standout. The linebacking crew is
paced by junior Carter Gonzalez, who had a pick 6 against Kelso and 6'1" 230 pound senior Brian Cox.
The Marysville-Pilchuck gang is led into battle by their Sophomore speed demon Austin Joyner. The 5'10" 180 pound blazer dashed and darted his way for 222 yards and 3 total touchdowns last
Saturday night. Joyner has zipped his way for 1,917 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground this year, averaging an astonishing 14.2 yards per carry.
Junior quarterback Jake Luton, a 6'6" 210 pound fireballer paces the Tommies ariel assault. Senior running back Kasey Walker at 5'11" 185 pounds and junior flanker Deion Stell add to the Marysville offensive firepower.
Austin Joyner is going to break 2,000 yards and is so explosive. He is rising the ranks for 2015 to the very top!
Wideout/defensive back Kyle Nobach had a huge game vs. Timberline. He caught a 55 yard td strike from Luton and intercepted 3 passes for the pesky Tomahawks. Pilchuck's offensive front is paced by smash mouth offensive tackle Iggy Gabov, a 6'2" 245 pound senior.
Defensively the Pilchuck posse is led by head hunting defensive end Austin Gianetto, a 6'1" 260 pound senior. Bruising linebacker Jordan Hoorn at 6'2" and 235 pounds is a monster in the middle.
Defensive lineman Dez Ritcheson and junior backer Alex Gray are both 1st team all-league performers as well.
Wow on Paper this game has all the makings of a true classic! Best of luck to both of these great squads as they battle on the Road to The Dome!