Tillman rushed for a school-record 310 yards on 19 carries and scored four times, powering the Rams to a 42-28 nonleague victory over crosstown rival Timberline at South Sound Stadium.
“I had no idea I had that many yards,” said Tillman, who scored on runs of 66, 3, 68 and 26 yards. “It’s just nice to beat Timberline. We haven’t done that since I was a freshman.”
The previous school record for rushing yards in a single game was held by Chuck Robertson, who ran for 308 yards against Foss in 1990.
“I knew coming into the season what the record was. It was certainly a goal for me and something I wanted,” said Tillman, “but you never think you’re going to get that many.”
Tillman’s big night helped North Thurston (2-0) take a 26-20 lead in the all-time series against the Blazers, who had won six of the past seven meetings.
A year after going undefeated in the regular season, Timberline finds itself with an 0-2 mark.
Timberline’s Kevin Russell threw for 309 yards and three scores and rushed for another touchdown in a gutsy effort.
The Blazers senior completed 24 of 42 passes but was picked off twice, including late in the fourth quarter by North Thurston linebacker Jake Anderson, who returned it 45 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Rams’ lead to a comfortable 42-21.
Tillman simply dominated the first quarter, rushing for 168 yards on seven carries, with two touchdowns that gave the Rams a 14-0 lead.
On North Thurston’s second possession Tillman went off tackle, bouncing the play outside and tip-toeing down down the sidelines on a 66-yard scoring run.
He was even better on the following series when he followed an 89-yard run with a 3-yard rushing touchdown.
“I started to cramp up a little in the second half,” said Tillman, who had 193 yards on 11 carries at halftime. “Once that third quarter hit, I was ready to go, though, and felt great.”
North Thurston led 14-6 at the half, holding a 266-157 advantage in total yards.
Timberline’s Quinton Sison finished the game with 109 yards on 13 carries.
