Skyline Survives in Shootout with Lake Stevens

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Saturday Nov 28th 2015 4A Boys Football
Tacoma Dome 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Skyline 6 18 6 7 37
Lake Stevens 14 7 13 0 34

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See game recap below
 


Skyline Survives in Shootout with Lake Stevens
By Steve Dion

The nightcap of semifinal Saturday at the Tacoma Dome would pair Skyline and Lake Stevens with a ticket to the 4A championship game next week on the line. Heading into the contest, both teams were aware that Gonzaga Prep earned their berth to the title game earlier that afternoon. Which team would set their date with the Bullpups for next Saturday?

The back and forth affair began early when Viking quarterback Jacob Eason connected with Riley Krenz for a fifteen yard score. Without skipping a beat, Sparty gave their rebuttal in the form of an 81 yard Danny Sinatro catch and run. The first of many botched extra points for both teams occurred on this Skyline touchdown. The floodgates opened at this point as the high-scoring shootout was underway. The quarterback clash between Blake Gregory and Jacob Eason took center stage. Gregory was allotted half as many pass attempts with a dozen as Eason threw twenty-four times, but trailed in passing yards slightly at 244 to 252 and matched in touchdowns with one apiece. The running attacks were nearly identical in the first half with Rashaad Boddie and Andrew Grimes recording 10 and 12 runs for 34 and 38 yards respectively. Two plays that stood out in the first two quarters was an Eason pass in which he rolled out toward the sideline, bought time, and at the very last moment before taking a big hit zipped the ball to a receiver on the other side of the field for a big gain. Also, Boddie hauled in a fingertip catch along the sideline which set up his touchdown that garnered many “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd. Everyone in attendance was in store for an exciting finish.

Lake Stevens opened the second half with a seven-play eighty yard drive in less than three minutes culminating in a Asi Tupua run from two yards out. The extra point was blocked and instead of a four point lead for the Viks, they only led by a field goal at 27-24. Skyline gained the lead on a Bradley Kim reception from Gregory which required fantastic improvisation and vision, but Grimes captured a 34-30 edge shortly thereafter which held into the final quarter.

Midway through the fourth frame, Gregory struck once again on his brilliant game under center as he found Kim to give Sparty a 37-34 advantage. With less than three minutes remaining, it was gut check time for Lake Stevens. The purple and black were marching down the field when on a Skyline blitz, Eason was forced out of the pocket. Harry Reed and Joseph Chauvin bottled up the big quarterback and the ball fell to the turf. Skyline’s Alex Diegel jumped on the football and the official indicated the ball was heading the other way. The Viking defense was able to stave off enough offense in the ensuing drive to give themselves one last shot with less than a minute remaining. Three unsuccessful deep throws put the game on one last play. Eason drops back, fires to the right corner of the endzone. Intercepted by Noah Park! The Skyline sideline flooded onto the field thrilled to be victorious in a memorable game that places them forty-eight minutes from a state championship.

When asked where this game ranks among games Coach Taylor has been involved with, he simply replied, “It’s right up there!” In regards to his quarterback Blake Gregory, Mat said “hopefully this game will get on video for more college coaches to see” as his signal-caller has proven great ability and decision-making throughout his Spartan career. Skyline will play Gonzaga Prep for the 4A title next Saturday.

The Final Score:
Skyline 37, Lake Stevens 34

Top Performer

Skyline
Blake Gregory- 22/28, 436 yards, 3 TDs, 13 rush, 54 yards, TD
Bradley Kim- 2 receptions, 47 yards, 2 TDs

Lake Stevens
Jacob Eason- 32/42, 390 yards, 2 TDs
Andrew Grimes- 24 rush, 157 yards, TD
Riley Krenz- 12 rec, 173 yards, TD

Lake Stevens Captures 4A Wesco

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Friday Oct. 24th 2014 4A Boys Football
Frank Goddard Stadium 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Lake Stevens 7 7 13 10 37
Kamiak 14 7 0 13 34

Game Recap below

Lake Stevens Captures 4A Wesco
By Colin Caruso

On the day of tragedy, with all the news stations surrounding the Marysville community and Wesco Conference, two teams met to play for the Wesco regular season title, Lake Stevens and Kamiak. There was a 30 second moment of silence for the victims of the horrific incident that took place just hours before at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. These two teams, both 5-1, both lost to the same Marysville-Pilchuck High in out of league play.

It was a somber atmosphere to begin, but the action began right away. Lake Stevens struck first with a Jacob Eason pass to Tevin Gray to go up 7-0. But Kamiak responded with the next 21 points, one touchdown coming from a Tyler Becker pass, and another with his legs. With just 7 seconds remaining in the first half, Lake Stevens fought within a score with another Eason pass to Gray, cutting the Kamiak lead to 21-14.

This game completely shifted in the third quarter. The momentum seemed to be entirely with the Lake Stevens Vikings, and they only ran two offensive plays from scrimmage in the quarter. The Vikings scored on a punt return from Brandon Otis, and then on a two play, both Andrew Grimes runs, a 56 yard drive for another score, to bounce ahead 27-21.

Kamiak answered with a beautiful pass and catch from Becker to Nate Shubert, but Grimes was not done for the Vikings. Eason had to throw the ball one time in the second half, because Grimes took over. He scored on another run, this time 48 yards, to seal the win for the Vikings. Lake Stevens will now be the #1 team in 4A Wesco in the playoffs, with Kamiak secured as the #2 team.

Top Performers:
Lake Stevens
Jacob Eason – 12-20 for 148 yards, 2TD
Tevin Gray – 5 catches for 78 yards, 2TD
Andrew Grimes – 17 carries for 228 yards, 2TD

Kamiak
Tyler Becker – 12-15 for 219, 3TD, rushing TD
JoJo Binda Jr. – 13 carries for 71 yards