Undefeated Skyline rolls over Newport, 49-0
September 30, 2008
By Christopher Huber
Skyline senior running back Joey Evans’ helmet flies off as Newport defenders bring him down in the second quarter of Friday’s game in Bellevue. Photo by Christopher Huber
The Skyline Spartans football team may have been a little concerned about Newport’s tricky wing-T offense going into Friday’s game in Bellevue.
In the first three games of the season, the Knights averaged nearly 350 yards rushing per game, which was more than twice the output on the ground for Skyline. None of that mattered Friday night.
Other than giving up a couple decent Newport rushing gains, the Spartan defense did what it does best – completely shut down their opponent.
Skyline beat Newport 49-0 in a wallop on both sides of the ball.
“We kept them off balance,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said after the game. “Everybody is talking about our passing game, but you just gotta be balanced.”
The most telling statistic was the rushing comparison — Skyline held the Knights to just 98 yards rushing on the evening, but tallied 234 of its own.
Spartans’ star quarterback Jake Heaps was quite himself with his throwing game, as well, piling up a solid 266 passing yards. Newport quarterback Ross Quarre totaled 20 passing yards.
Newport came out swinging. The versatile two-back running game seemed it would make the home crowd proud, as the Knights got past the nearly impenetrable Skyline defense a few times in the first quarter.
Skyline’s offense didn’t get going until the second quarter. Skyline did drive from its own 17 to score, but it was brought back to the 20 on a personal foul call. Newport held the line and Skyline missed a 37-yard field goal attempt.
However, after the quarter break, it didn’t take long for Spartan running back Joey Evans to turn on the power boosters. Heaps kept feeding the ball to him as they drove the length of the field. Evans scored the game’s first two touchdowns on 8- and 5-yard runs.
“My line made it possible to do well tonight,” Evans said as he exited the field after the game. “They tore it up.”
What was the key for the explosive running game? Evans makes it sound easy.
“I just get past the secondary and past the blocks and in the end zone,” he said.
Heaps connected with three different receivers for touchdowns and two Skyline running backs scored. The longest play of the night came when Heaps launched one to favorite receiver Gino Simone for a 77-yard touchdown in the second quarter to go up 21-0.
Heaps continued to demonstrate his superiority in the air with two more perfect throws to Kasen Williams and William Chandler before halftime. Williams scored a 16-yard touchdown and Chandler caught a 25-yard pass to put Skyline up 35-0.
Evans lit Newport up again in the third, busting out for 17 yards in the first possession. The run set up Skyline for big yardage once again. This time Heaps completed a pass to Jake Knecht down to the 7 yard line. Evans barreled through, untouched for the score.
One of Taylor’s season goals — seeing a punt returned for a touchdown — almost came to fruition when Simone ran one back in the third. The play was taken back on two separate Skyline penalties.
Although it was down 42-0, Newport’s defense never quit. With the game put away, the Spartans brought in some second-stringers, who were stuffed at the end of the third.
Skyline silenced even the peppy Newport band in the fourth with one more touchdown — a 12-yard run by Kai Jandoc.
When it comes to penalties — Skyline committed 10 for 75 yards — Taylor said it’s a combination of the players not getting all their reps in during practice and a slight lack of focus. But he’s not discouraged about it.
“It was a total complete game, offensively and defensively,” Taylor said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, Ext. 242, or at chuber@isspress.com.
After Friday, Skyline has outscored its opponents 181-6 in four games.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
