For the first time in 13 years, the Stanwood Spartans defeated the Arlington Eagles in football, with a 37-6 victory on Friday night. Stanwood (5-0 overall, 4-0 in league play) remains unbeaten and remains in first place in Wesco 3A North. Arlington (3-2, 2-2) is in third place.

The Stilly Cup had been dominated by Arlington for the last decade-plus, but Stanwood was able to end that streak convincingly. Stanwood senior running back #5 Ryder Bumgarner had 237 rushing yards. He now averages 221 yards per game. “Ryder is a phenomenal football player who knows the game well,” said Elisha Jackson, a former starting wide receiver who graduated last year and now helps out on the sidelines. 

A key storyline for Arlington was the absence of senior running back and linebacker #44 Spencer Fisher, who was injured in the last game. Underclassmen such as sophomores #28 Caleb Reed, #34 Rory Kahler, and #45 Alex Cunningham had to play much more than they have in the past, which asks a lot in a tough game like this one. “It was nice to see other younger kids step up when some of the other players got hurt,” said Jackson. 

Stanwood jumped to a 3-0 lead with a field goal on their first drive of the game, and never looked back. Arlington fumbled on their first drive, leading to a 1-yard QB sneak touchdown by Stanwood senior quarterback #15 Michael Mascotti. In the second quarter, Bumgarner scored on a long run, and then Mascotti threw a touchdown pass to senior running back #21 Otto Wiedmann. The half ended with Arlington trailing 23-0. 

Arlington was provided with a glimmer of hope by sophomore quarterback #7 Leyton Martin’s touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver #4 Jake Willis, which gave the game a 23-6 score after an unsuccessful two-point conversion by Arlington. However, those would turn out to be Arlington’s only points, and Stanwood scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. 

Stanwood coaches, players, and students celebrated finally snapping Arlington’s streak on the field after the game. Every year, this game is one of the most anticipated matchups at either school. The rivalry “has developed into something beyond football at times,” said senior lineman #70 Payton Conner. Arlington will try to start another streak next year, while Stanwood will try to start a long streak of their own. As Jackson put it, “Stanwood got the trophy this year but they’ll have to give it back next year for sure.”