Arlington, WA – In a highly anticipated matchup, the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles faced off against the Arlington Eagles in the WIAA Class 4A first-round playoff game on Saturday. With both teams coming into the game with playoff aspirations, the stakes were high.
Unfortunately for Graham-Kapowsin, the game did not go as planned. Arlington showcased their strong offensive skills, winning decisively with a final score of 42-6. Led by quarterback Leyton Martin, Arlington jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.
The first quarter saw Arlington take control quickly. They scored their first touchdown just over eight minutes in when Martin connected with Jake Willis for a 21-yard touchdown. This was followed by another touchdown from running back Caleb Reed, who powered in from four yards out, bringing the score to 6-0, and then later extended the lead to 14-0.
Graham-Kapowsin managed to put some points on the board late in the second quarter when quarterback A.J. Tuivaiave found Roberson for a 9-yard touchdown pass. This brought the score to 21-6 just before halftime.
However, Arlington answered back after the halftime break, with Reed scoring his third touchdown of the game on a powerful 31-yard run. They continued to dominate throughout the second half, with Martin throwing multiple touchdown passes, including a second touchdown to Willis.
In terms of statistics, Graham-Kapowsin struggled to make significant gains, finishing with a total of 221 yards. Tuivaiave completed 16 of 26 passes for 116 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. On the ground, Pearson had a solid performance with 119 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Arlington amassed a total of 302 yards, with Reed leading the way with 171 rushing yards on 21 carries along with three touchdowns.
The loss ends Graham-Kapowsin’s hopes for a return to the championship game, while Arlington advances with confidence as they move deeper into the playoffs. The Eagles will look to build on their successful season as they prepare for their next challenge.
