Skyline wins UW tournament
June 25, 2008
By J.B. Wogan
Spartans continue winning ways
In its second seven-on-seven tournament this summer, Skyline High School has already returned to plowing down statewide competition.
“We’re trying to win. We’re trying to get better and win at the same time,” said Jake Heaps, starting quarterback for the Spartans.
Skyline took the field on Saturday, June 21, the second day of the tournament, which featured 32 teams from across the state.
The Spartans felled seven opponents, including Issaquah High School in the championship game.
“The mindset is, whatever we do, we’ve got to be champions. It might be a little seven-on-seven tournament, but it means a whole lot to us,” said Heaps, a rising junior.
“The improvement they made from last week is just unbelievable,” said Matt Taylor, Skyline’s new head coach.
The previous weekend, Skyline hosted its own seven-on-seven tournament, facing off against 16 teams in a round robin format.
“It was awesome, the kids just played better each game. Route running, catching, just everything,” Taylor said.
The type of tournament is called seven-on-seven because it features seven players from each team on the field at one time.
A typical formula for a seven-on-seven game will pit two safeties, two cornerbacks, two linebackers and one defensive lineman against a center, quarterback, fullback, running back, tight end, split end and wide receiver.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids anywhere in the state to come out and compete against each other,” said Steve Gervais, long time head coach at Skyline and now the running back coach at the University of Washington.
Gervais said the college football programs host tournaments like the one June 20-21 because it gives them a glimpse at upcoming local talent.
“It’s a nice thing, certainly, to be able to see and evaluate kids,” said Gervais.
Gervais declined to comment on his former players, but spent several minutes chatting with Heaps and wide receiver Gino Simone.
Taylor, who described Gervais as one of his best friends, explained that the tournament provided a special opportunity for the former Skyline coach to interact with his old players.
“I was excited because it was awesome for him to see the kids. I know he still loves the kids and the community. It was hard for him to leave Skyline,” said Taylor.
But the reunion took second priority to swiping aside all challengers in the tournament.
Skyline marched through the tournament by beating Thomas Jefferson, Life Christian, Lake Stevens, Kamiak, Mission, Elm and Issaquah High Schools.
Simone, a rising senior, attended the tournament with his left forearm and wrist wrapped in a soft cast. Simone suffered a broken bone at the base of his thumb in a car accident in mid-June.
The wide receiver and safety said he expected the cast to come off June 30.
“It’s good to just be here for a team. These guys are brothers, you know,” said Simone, who still partook in defensive action, thumping balls with the cast and then steadying them for interceptions with his good hand.
Taylor said Simone was also fulfilling an important leadership role as a senior wide receiver.
“He’s helping the younger guys out with plays, being in the huddle. He’s been really valuable in that respect for the younger guys,” said Taylor.
Taylor said the team will participate in a seven-on-seven tournament in Canada July 5-6, and a scrimmage against Bellevue High School later in the summer.
A select group of the Spartans will also partake in the NFL seven-on-seven tournament July 10-13 in New Orleans, including Heaps, three wide receivers, and an all-star defensive team.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com.
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