Local high school football seasons kick off tonight

Intense summer camps and grueling two-a-day practices will come to fruition tonight when the the Washington high school football season kicks off.

By Kevin Endejan • September 4, 2009 12:54 pm
Skyline's Tait Stephens snags a pass during the opening week of practice. The senior who played back-up quarterback last season
Skyline's Tait Stephens snags a pass during the opening week of practice. The senior who played back-up quarterback last season

Intense summer camps and grueling two-a-day practices will come to fruition tonight when the the Washington high school football season swings into full motion.

Eastlake hosts non-league Mount Si at 7 p.m. at EHS for the only local game of the evening.

The three other area schools begin their seasons, tomorrow, Sept. 5.

Eastside Catholic travels to Bremerton to face non-league Olympic at 3 p.m. in what will be new head coach Jason Gesser’s first game.

Skyline and Issaquah will both participate in the 2009 Emerald City Kickoff Classic at Qwest Field.

The Spartans open their season at 5:30 p.m., against Jesuit of Portland, Ore. The Crusaders are traditionally one of the top powers in Oregon’s 6A classification, and picked by many to be the front-runner for a state title this season.

“We’re playing a very, very talented Jesuit team and talking to people in Oregon, and researching them, people feel they’re as good as any team in Oregon,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said.

Issaquah follows at 8 p.m. with a league contest against Bothell — a team the Eagles beat twice last season, including a 31-28 state quarterfinal victory.

“That game won’t define either of our seasons as far as what we do come November, but at the same time, it’s a nice stepping stone to kind of know where you fit and what you need to do,” Issaquah head coach Chris Bennett said.

We will be tweeting live scores from both the Skyline and Issaquah games. Follow us at www.twitter.com/issy_sam_sports.

Saturday’s Emerald City Kickoff Classic begins at 9:30 a.m. when 2A powerhouses Archbishop Murphy and Lynden collide in a repeat of last year’s state semifinals. Kennewick will face South Kitsap at noon in 4A battle, and Capital will face O’Dea at 3 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Adults are $15 each, students (with valid ASB card) and seniors (62 and over) are $10 each, and children under the age of 5 are free. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and tickets are good for all of the games at Qwest Field.

Be sure to check out the Issaquah Reporter blog, The End Zone, to see who we picked to win this weekend. Chime in and give us your thoughts on who you think will be victorious, and why.