In 10 contests, no opponent had scored before Skyline this season. In fact, no one managed a single point in the first quarter — until Federal Way made its way to the Plateau Friday for the opening round of the 4A state playoffs.
“They just had a good game plan and they played us tough,” Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps said.
A solid game plan and quick 3-0 Eagle lead wasn’t enough, however, as the Spartans’ defense tightened and the offense exploded for a 49-6 victory.
“We knew they were going to come out fired up, but we just felt with our conditioning … we would maintain the line of scrimmage,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said.
The Spartans not only maintained, but dominated the line, out-gaining the Eagles 293 yards to 150. Federal Way only had 6 yards of total offense in the second half.
“The first half they definitely came out strong, but then in the second half we got our act together and just hit them back,” sophomore Kasen Williams said.
Federal Way took its only advantage on the game’s opening drive. Washington State University-bound running back Andre Barrington carried the ball four times for 27 yards, caught a pass for 20 and threw for another 10 as the Eagles moved 62 yards to the Skyline 13. Federal Way’s drive halted there, resulting in a 30-yard field goal from Kelyn Rowe.
The Spartans answered on their first possession, behind the arm of Heaps. The junior hit senior Gino Simone on a slip screen for a 14-yard touchdown. Heaps, who ended the game 20-for-27 and 195 yards through the air, led Skyline to scores on its next two possessions. Both passes went to Williams — one on a sharp, 7-yard slant and the other via a 30-yard slip screen. Williams scored two more touchdowns in the second half, tying a school record for most TDs in a game — a record Simone set two years ago.
“Gino got that in his sophomore year, and I feel honored to be in the same spot as him,” said Williams, a 6-foot-2, 191-pound Division I recruit.
Williams’ second-half scores came on 4- and 6-yard passes. His fifth catch went for 12 yards and was just 3 yards shy of giving him a new school record. Teammate Joey Evans, who rushed 14 times for 86 yards, finished the drive off on the next play with a 3-yard dive for a touchdown.
Skyline increased its 21-6 halftime advantage immediately in the third quarter as Simone returned the ball 94 yards up the right sideline for a touchdown – his second kickoff return for a TD this season.
“Coming through we looped it out a little bit and then came back into the wedge,” he said. “I saw the hole and just hit it. There was one guy left — and I believe it was Tommy Aarts who came up and made a good block — and it was off to the races.”
The victory improved Skyline’s record to 11-0, matching them up with Auburn (11-0) in the quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., Nov. 22 at Spartan Stadium.
“They’re very, very good,” Taylor said. “They’re as good as it gets. We’re going to have to be extremely focused and disciplined all week to get ready for them.”
Skyline vs. Auburn
Kickoff: 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22 at SHS
Outlook: Auburn is the only other team remaining in the 4A tournament besides Skyline with an undefeated record. The Trojans operate a run-heavy offense, generating more than 4,000 yards on the ground. Thirty-two different players have carried the ball this season, led by 1,000-yard rushers Jeff Gouveia and Chris Young.
Prediction: While it may not have the largest line, Skyline has shown it can contain control opponents’ running games this season — even against much heavier teams. Auburn could be the toughest test so far this season, but the top-ranked Spartans are too powerful. Final score: 35-14 Skyline.
