Washington’s Top 50 high school football teams: Bulked-up RB Dylan Carson leads senior-led No. 25 Marysville-Pilchuck in tough 3A Wesco
SBLive is previewing the Top 50 high school teams in Washington ahead of the fall 2021 season. Here’s an inside look at the Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks of the 3A Wesco – the No. 25 team in our countdown.
SPRING 2021 IN REVIEW
2-3 in 3A Wesco (sixth place).
COACH’S RESUMÉ
- Brandon Carson, 15th season.
- Overall record: 95-50.
- Coordinators (base scheme): Offense – Brian Hoorn (Slot-T). Defense – Brandon Carson (4-2-5).
NOTABLE DEPARTURES
LB Jay Gray
DL Irell Meafua
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense – 9. Defense – 9.
TOP PLAYERS
RB/DB Dylan Carson, 6-0, 195, sr.
OL/DL Nate Elwood, 6-3, 270, sr.
LB Noah Faber, 5-10, 215, jr.
OL Josiah Frank, 6-5, 270, sr.
RB/LB Gaylan Gray, 5-8, 170, jr.
OL Blake Jones, 6-4, 235, sr.
OL Diego Lucero, 5-10, 250, sr.
QB Jace Luton, 6-1, 170, sr.
OL Caleb Potts, 6-6, 285, sr.
RB/DB Jordan Velasquez, 5-10, 185, sr.
THREE TO SEE
Dylan Carson, fullback
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Bulked up significantly over the past two years (up to 195 pounds) - and has totaled 2,300 rushing yards, and 30 touchdowns the past two seasons.
Nate Elwood, offensive guard
All-3A Wesco first teamer at left guard has started every game since his sophomore season, and had impressive summer (co-MVP for at EWU camp).
Noah Faber, linside inebacker
Expect all-3A Wesco second teamer's star to burn even brighter this fall. Started as a sophomore and showed he could handle calling all the signals.
FALL SEASON OUTLOOK
Coach Brandon Carson has every right to write off Marysville Pilchuck’s 2-3 spring season as a symptom of circumstance.
Since it was a COVID-impacted schedule, his Tomahawks ended up playing three playoff-caliber Class 4A programs (Lake Stevens, Glacier Peak, Union).
"When you’re playing good teams, they expose your weaknesses a little bit, so that was really nice to see," he said.
“But we were still 2-3. A loss is a loss. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Now with 18 returning starters, including a strong senior class, Carson said this squad reminds his of the one from 2019 when the Marysville-Pilchuck ran the table in league, and reached the 3A quarterfinals.
At the very least, they should find similar success moving the ball.
Dylan Carson was the team’s bellwether in its undefeated regular season, rushing for 1,409 yards and 16 touchdowns along the way as a sophomore. He is now 35 pounds heavier two years later entering his senior season.
Rushing with more bulk helped him in the spring. He ran for 911 yards and 14 touchdowns in five games.
“He’s able to take more pounding and give more as a fullback. He’s tougher to tackle,” Brandon Carson said.
He’ll have help, too, since all-3A Wesco first-team linemen Nate Elwood and Caleb Potts headline an offensive line that returns nearly everyone in the rotation. Jordan Velasquez - also a strong safety - is a speedier option as Carson's backup (343 yards, five TD in spring).
The road back to a 3A Wesco title must go through Ferndale, which returns as much as Marysville-Pilchuck does. The two schools face off Oct. 1.
FALL 2021 SCHEDULE
- Sept. 3 vs. Shorewood
- Sept. 10 at Stanwood
- Sept. 17 vs. Marysville-Getchell
- Sept. 24 at Glacier Peak
- Oct. 1 vs. Ferndale
- Oct. 18 at Mount Vernon
- Sept. 15 at Arlington
- Oct. 22 vs. Oak Harbor
