After Oak Harbor forfeited the league football title, Marysville-Pilchuck gave them the trophy

The Oak Harbor High School football team made a nice gesture last week when they unanimously decided to forfeit the league title to Marysville-Pilchuck following the fatal shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. On Wednesday, it was Marysville-Pilchuck on the giving side. Several members of the Tomahawks surprised Oak Harbor at practice on Wednesday and presented the Wildcats with the league championship trophy.

“It was the least we could do,” Marysville-Pilchuck head coach Brandon Carson said via the Herald of Everett. “With everything they have done for us.”

Marysville-Pilchuck and Oak Harbor were supposed to play for the Wesco 3A North title last Friday and a berth in the Wesco Championship game. The game was cancelled following the shooting and when Oak Harbor head coach Jay Turner and the team heard, they decided to offer to forfeit the game and give the league title to Marysville-Pilchuck. Several Oak Harbor players also drove to the community vigil and met up with Marysville-Pilchuck players to show support.

Carson and his staff came up with an idea to return the favor. After talking to Turner, they got the Oak Harbor practice schedule and made the trek up I-5 on Wednesday to surprise the Wildcats with the trophy.

“It’s awesome. They’re a great group of guys down there and great kids,” Turner said. “It’s nice to see two communities come together in a tragic time and support each other. It was really cool to see those guys come up here today.”

Oak Harbor won’t get to play for the Wesco Championship, but it will still qualify for the playoffs. The team will also be rewarded for its sportsmanship with a trip to visit the Seattle Seahawks, according to the Seattle Times. Marysville-Pilchuck took a visit to Seahawks’ headquarters earlier this week.