With so many amazing feats already under his belt, it was only appropriate Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps leave one more mark in his final prep game.
The BYU-bound senior did exactly that Saturday, passing for a 4A title game record four touchdowns as the Spartans cruised to their third straight state championship in a 45-21 victory over Ferris.
“They’re all amazing, but senior year it’s so special,” said Heaps, who finished his career with a 40-2 record. “To come out and leave on a high note, there’s nothing better than that.”
Heaps relished in the moment by raising the trophy over his head and pumping it in the direction of the Spartan faithful one final time.
Asked just moments later about his accomplishments, he was quick to deflect the credit.
“All the personal stuff is great, but it’s all about the team,” said Heaps, highlighting the scout players, the defense, offense and special teams. “These guys are amazing. I love every single moment of it. To be with these special group of guys and win it three times, it’s unbelievable.”
On Saturday, Skyline showed the grit of a team that’s been there before.
After allowing Ferris to march 71 yards for a touchdown on the game’s opening drive, the Spartans clamped down. The defense did its job on the next Saxon series, forcing a punt. Heaps, who completed 15 of 25 passes for 256 yards for the game, knotted the score with 1:41 left in the first quarter finding junior wide receiver Kasen Williams on an 15-yard strike.
From there, it was all Spartans.
Skyline scored 21 unanswered, punching in a 5-yard TD run from Nick Washburn and another 15-yard touchdown pass from Heaps to Williams. Ferris managed a 60-yard scoring drive just before the half, when quarterback Connor Halliday found Jason Bates for an 11-yard TD with 57 seconds remaining. The Spartans were quick to counter, however, marching down the field for a 36-yard Sean Penberthy field goal and a 24-14 halftime advantage.
Skyline increased its lead to 31-14 in the third quarter when Heaps found Williams for their third TD connection of the game. Williams beat his man down field, and Heaps laid a ball directly into his arms on a 26-yard fade route to the back right corner of the end zone. Williams, who had eight catches for 89 yards, said he’ll certainly miss his companion next year.
“Me and Jake have been riding it out since (my) freshman year, and I don’t want it to end, but we’re going out big” he said.
Ferris closed the gap to 10 points, 31-21, with 11:50 remaining in the game. Halliday, who completed 26 of 44 passes for 254 yards, threw his third touchdown pass of the game, finding Jordan Tonani on a fourth-and-goal pass from the 2-yard line.
Ferris had the ball again with 8:37 to go, but an interception by Spartan lineman Jack Carlson gave Skyline the ball at the Saxon 11. After a penalty, Heaps found Connor Brandt for his record-breaking fourth TD pass on a 15-yard slant. Skyline tacked on its final score of the game on a 1-yard dive from Heaps. The play was set up by a 66-yard double-reverse pass from Heaps to Cooper Pelluer.
Also key to the Spartans’ success Saturday was their ability to run the ball. Skyline tallied 181 total yards on the ground. Nick Beauchamp carried the ball 18 times for 118 yards. The senior, who transfered from Florida, had a previous best of 52 yards this season.
“To have one of my biggest games in the state championship … It felt amazing,” said Beauchamp, giving credit to his offensive line.
Skyline’s defense held Ferris to just seven net rushing yards, and forced the Halliday into two interceptions.
“I’m just so proud of our kids offensively and defensively,” Spartan head coach Mat Taylor said. “The media hype in the air, the expectations, losing a couple games … I’ve never been so proud of the character of a team.”
Saturday’s victory marked the fifth state championship for Skyline this decade. The team won the 3A title in 2000 and 2007, and the 4A title in 2005 and 2008.
