The expanding sport of arena football hit Arlington in a big way this Spring. With two teams competing at the select level, Arlington produced some of the best young football talent in the area.
The A-Town Footbrawlers took second place in their divisional playoff after falling 52-34 to the Marysville Wolverines in the championship game June 9. However, the loss did nothing to dampen the spirits of the players and coaching staff, who thoroughly enjoyed the first season of Spring football together.
The Brawlers played eight-on-eight style arena football in a league that features teams from all around the area. Prior to playing in the championship game, the Brawlers knocked off the previously unbeaten Lake Stevens Vikings 18-12 in the semi-final. The Lake Stevens upset was particularly impressive considering the Vikings had yet to lose a game in over two years of arena football competition.
They were pretty shocked and surprised, said Coach Bill Schwartz, but they were good sports about the game. The Lake Stevens team was the initial arena football team in the area. Their coaches promoted the sport up here and everybody else followed them.
When the Brawlers met Lake Stevens for the first time earlier in the season they lost 34-0, but they came out fired up and ready to play in the all-important playoff meeting.
We were definitely the underdog, said Schwartz. We came out with a vengeance.
The teams talent stood out all year, particularly in the form of fullback Donovan Evans. Evans scored many of the teams touchdowns on the season, using powerful moves in the middle of the line of scrimmage to earn tough yards.
Evans had plenty of help in the form of quarterback Ben Schwartz and receiver Max Gray. The Schwartz-Gray tandem hooked up for four touchdowns in the two playoff games alone. Schwartz also ran for three touchdowns of his own.
In a game where skill position players tend to get all the glory, lineman Matt Markezinis stood out with his play on both the offensive and defensive line. Markenzinis battled in the trenches all season as the starting center for the offense, as well as being a reliable defensive end for the defense.
Well have mostly the same group of kids next season, continued Schwartz. Everybody had such a positive experience. The kids that dont play Spring baseball were really excited to have a Spring sport to compete in.
An awards banquet for this season will be held Wednesday June 27 at Eagle Creek Elementary School. It will be a formal event with the players wearing dress shirts and ties.