4A Playoffs | Mariner's rally shocks Chargers

EVERETT — For the second consecutive year, the Mariner Marauders pulled the plug on Kentridge's season.

Led by senior quarterback Tyler Tuiasosopo, Mariner rallied for 14 fourth-quarter points to defeat the Chargers 21-17 Friday night at Goddard Stadium in the Class 4A preliminary-playoff game.

The Marauders (8-2) will play at the winner of today's Inglemoor-Rogers of Puyallup game next weekend in the opening round of the state playoffs.

Mariner defeated Kentridge 42-6 in last year's preliminary round before losing to eventual state champion Oak Harbor in the first round.

Kentridge (6-4) led 17-7 after a 23-yard field goal from freshman Wes Concepcion on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Tuiasosopo completed 4 of 7 passes in the final period for 88 yards. The winning 43-yard TD pass was to Joey Dillon with 4:48 left.

On Kentridge's ensuing possession, Dillon made a game-saving play by deflecting a pass away from Kentridge's Jace Poffenroth.

The Mariner defense, which had five interceptions last week against Kamiak, intercepted Kentridge quarterback Brandon Turner three times, two by junior Adrien Black. His fourth-quarter pick set up the go-ahead touchdown.

"All I can remember is I knew I had to step up and make a play," said Black, who also had 27 yards on five carries. "The team is always confident in Tyler because he is a playmaker. It makes the rest of us want to step up and make plays to give him the chance."

Tuiasosopo, who sparked the comeback by completing his first pass of the fourth quarter for a first down on fourth-and-10, finished with 128 yards on 8-of-18 passing with two touchdowns. Dillon led the Marauders with three catches for 59 yards.

Turner led the Chargers with 158 yards on 11-of-22 passing and a touchdown. Turner was a double threat to run the ball, averaging 171 yards in total offense during the regular season, but Friday he was bottled up for 14 yards on 10 carries.

"At first I worried about him running," said Black of Turner. "But after our line showed they could stop him, it allowed me to read his eyes and play the pass."

Kentridge jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.