Browse > Home / Sports / Skyline football bests Bothell in grudge match

Skyline football bests Bothell in grudge match

December 1, 2009

By Christopher Huber

Running back Nick Beauchamp powers through the line of Bothell defense in the fourth quarter. Photo by Christopher Huber

Running back Nick Beauchamp powers through the line of Bothell defense in the fourth quarter. Photo by Christopher Huber

By Christopher Huber

After it lost to Bothell in the KingCo championship in October, the Skyline Spartans decided to change everything, linebacker Anthony DeMatteo said.
The team had won back-to-back state championships and despite losing two big games this season, the players had still become over-confident, he said.
“We changed everything. We changed how we ran practice,” DeMatteo said. “We brought back the old intensity that Skyline used to have.”
That renewed intensity and dedication paid off in its 31-26 state tournament semifinal victory against the top-ranked Cougars. Skyline will play Ferris Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. for the state title.
“It’s gratifying to know we can come out this season and win a close one, win a big one,” Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps said on the field afterward. “I tip my hat off to them. They’re one of the best teams I’ve ever faced.”
The Spartans got out to an early 7-0 lead after its defensive aggressiveness caused Bothell misqueues.
Skyline blocked a punt on Bothell’s first possession of the game. DeMatteo recovered the ball at the Bothell 33-yard-line and three plays later, Heaps connected with junior wide receiver Jordan Simone for a 33-yard touchdown.
The Spartans made its fair share of mistakes, too, missing two scoring chances.
After recovering a pooch-kick on a kickoff in the first, Skyline threatened again, but Bothell’s Kevin Knapp intercepted a potential Heaps touchdown pass. Heaps threw another interception to end a promising drive at the start of the second quarter.
“He wasn’t making poor choices, it was just, they just made great plays on the ball,” said Skyline head coach Mat Taylor.
The Cougars proceeded to drive 80 yards in about two minutes to tie the game at 7-7. Quarterback Mitchell Muller capped the drive off with a 47-yard touchdown bomb to receiver John Sullivan. Muller completed 10 of 24 pass attempts for 171 yards.
Skyline opened things up four minutes into the second quarter when Spartan linebacker Tommy Aarts hit Bothell’s Wendall Galvan on a punt return to cause the fumble.
Skyline’s Adam Albaum returned it 52 yards for a touchdown to put Skyline up 14-7.
“We started off in a hole,” said Bothell head coach Tom Bainter. “Against a team like that, you can’t do that.”
Heaps proved effective on third downs and in pressure situations all night.
He finished with 221 yards after completing 16 of 31 passes. He threw three interceptions total.
Receiver Connor Brandt caught five passes for 87 yards and Kasen Williams had four catches for 45 yards.
Skyline led 21-10 at the half after Heaps tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brandt with 17 seconds remaining in the second. Bothell kicked a 41-yard field goal and scored a touchdown in the third to make it 21-19.
After Skyline’s Nick Washburn scored an eight-yard touchdown to go up 28-19, the Cougars came right back with a 65-yard scoring drive to start the fourth.
Kicker Sean Penberthy put the Spartans up 31-26 with a 32-yard field goal with just less than five minutes left.
The Skyline defense did the rest to preserve the win. It held Bothell’s star running back Luke Proulx to just 48 yards on 21 carries.
Defensive back Evan Zeger intercepted a Muller pass with 2:44 remaining.
“We just had to do our jobs. Whenever they started getting big plays is when we stopped doing our jobs,” DeMatteo said. “We came out and we just had to play as hard as we could. We knew they were going to give us a fight.”
Taylor said although he would have liked to face Bothell in the state championship, he was happy with how the team has refocused for the title game.
“I wish it didn’t have to end (for Bothell), to be honest,” said Skyline head coach Mat Taylor. “But KingCo was well-represented and hopefully we’ll represent very well next week.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.SammamishReview.com.

After it lost to Bothell in the KingCo championship in October, the Skyline Spartans decided to change everything, linebacker Anthony DeMatteo said.

The team had won back-to-back state championships and despite losing two big games this season, the players had still become over-confident, he said.

“We changed everything. We changed how we ran practice,” DeMatteo said. “We brought back the old intensity that Skyline used to have.”

That renewed intensity and dedication paid off in its 31-26 state tournament semifinal victory against the top-ranked Cougars. Skyline will play Ferris Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. for the state title.

“It’s gratifying to know we can come out this season and win a close one, win a big one,” Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps said on the field afterward. “I tip my hat off to them. They’re one of the best teams I’ve ever faced.”

The Spartans got out to an early 7-0 lead after its defensive aggressiveness caused Bothell misqueues.

Skyline blocked a punt on Bothell’s first possession of the game. DeMatteo recovered the ball at the Bothell 33-yard-line and three plays later, Heaps connected with junior wide receiver Jordan Simone for a 33-yard touchdown.

The Spartans made its fair share of mistakes, too, missing two scoring chances.

After recovering a pooch-kick on a kickoff in the first, Skyline threatened again, but Bothell’s Kevin Knapp intercepted a potential Heaps touchdown pass. Heaps threw another interception to end a promising drive at the start of the second quarter.

“He wasn’t making poor choices, it was just, they just made great plays on the ball,” said Skyline head coach Mat Taylor.

The Cougars proceeded to drive 80 yards in about two minutes to tie the game at 7-7. Quarterback Mitchell Muller capped the drive off with a 47-yard touchdown bomb to receiver John Sullivan. Muller completed 10 of 24 pass attempts for 171 yards.

Skyline opened things up four minutes into the second quarter when Spartan linebacker Tommy Aarts hit Bothell’s Wendall Galvan on a punt return to cause the fumble.

Skyline’s Adam Albaum returned it 52 yards for a touchdown to put Skyline up 14-7.

“We started off in a hole,” said Bothell head coach Tom Bainter. “Against a team like that, you can’t do that.”

Heaps proved effective on third downs and in pressure situations all night.

He finished with 221 yards after completing 16 of 31 passes. He threw three interceptions total.

Receiver Connor Brandt caught five passes for 87 yards and Kasen Williams had four catches for 45 yards.

Skyline led 21-10 at the half after Heaps tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brandt with 17 seconds remaining in the second. Bothell kicked a 41-yard field goal and scored a touchdown in the third to make it 21-19.

After Skyline’s Nick Washburn scored an eight-yard touchdown to go up 28-19, the Cougars came right back with a 65-yard scoring drive to start the fourth.

Kicker Sean Penberthy put the Spartans up 31-26 with a 32-yard field goal with just less than five minutes left.

The Skyline defense did the rest to preserve the win. It held Bothell’s star running back Luke Proulx to just 48 yards on 21 carries.

Defensive back Evan Zeger intercepted a Muller pass with 2:44 remaining.

“We just had to do our jobs. Whenever they started getting big plays is when we stopped doing our jobs,” DeMatteo said. “We came out and we just had to play as hard as we could. We knew they were going to give us a fight.”

Taylor said although he would have liked to face Bothell in the state championship, he was happy with how the team has refocused for the title game.

“I wish it didn’t have to end (for Bothell), to be honest,” said Skyline head coach Mat Taylor. “But KingCo was well-represented and hopefully we’ll represent very well next week.”

Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.

Bookmark and Share
Other Stories of Interest:

Written by Christopher Huber · Filed Under Sports 

Copyright 2010 by Issaquah Press Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission. E-mail editor@isspress.com

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.