Eastside Catholic is going back to the quarterfinals of the 3A state football tournament for the second consecutive year after eliminating Marysville-Pilchuck with a 42-35 win at Quil Ceda Stadium on a late catch and run from Brandon Wellington in the game’s final minute.

The Crusaders led throughout behind another standout effort from quarterback Harley Kirsch, but needed a 74-yard catch and run from Brandon Wellington with less than a minute left to take the lead for good after the Tomahawks evened things up for the first time on a touchdown from their standout Austin Joyner.

Kirsch, who threw for more than 250 yards and a pair of scores, including the game winner, added another touchdown on the ground to extend his sophomore campaign.

Wellington finished with more than 200 all-purpose yards to help his team to next week’s quarterfinals against Meadowdale, with a spot in the Tacoma Dome and a possible rematch with rival O’Dea on the line.

He got in the end zone from two yards out to put the Crusaders up 7-0 and went in again later in the quarter as coach Jeremy Thielbahr’s squad took a 28-14 lead to the halftime locker room.

M-P finally pulled even on a 10-yard run from Joyner late in the fourth, but surrendered the explosive play to Wellington that proved too much to overcome.

An Eastside Catholic win next week could bring a rematch with Metro rival O’Dea, which beat Mount Si 49-7 in the opening round and faces Mountain View in the quarterfinals.