Eagles, Spartans prepare to battle for state 4A football title

Their athletes have collided on fields, courts and tracks countless times.

But Friday, the intense rivalry between Skyline and Issaquah will move to one of the state’s largest stages when the schools clash for the 4A state football championship at the Tacoma Dome.

“It’s kind of like playing your brother in the backyard, only this time, it’s in the state championship game,” said Issaquah head coach Chris Bennett. “It would sting to lose, but it would feel that much better to win.”

The state championship is the second meeting this season between the two teams. Skyline routed Issaquah 38-0 on Oct. 17 for a KingCo Crest victory.

Friday’s contest will mark the first time schools from the same district will square off for a 3A or 4A football championship. According to WIAA records, it’s only the third time since 1973 that large schools from the same league will face one another for a football title. The last meeting occurred in 2005, when Skyline defeated Woodinville for the 4A championship. South Puget Sound League foes Curtis and Kentwood faced off in 1989 for the 4A crown.

This year’s 4A championship was originally slated for Saturday, but was moved to Friday after the Nov. 28 bus accident involving the Bellevue football team. The dates of the 3A and 4A championship were swapped to provide the winner of Monday’s 3A semifinal more recovery time. The 4A game will be broadcast live on FSN at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s going to be a great game,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said.

The 3A game, featuring Bellevue and Union, will kick off at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Issaquah healthy, ready to go

The first time Issaquah faced Skyline, Oct. 17, the Eagles were undoubtedly banged up. They were without their two leading wide receivers, Brennan Miller and Ross Zuhl. Issaquah also had a handful of linemen who sat out with injuries. The Eagles only generated 48 yards of total offense against the Spartans, and punted eight times.

Bennett didn’t blame the loss on his team’s thin roster, however.

“There were no excuses. They beat us pretty bad,” he said.

He noted that injuries won’t be an issue this time around.

“Everyone’s going to be suited, everyone’s going to give it a go,” he said.

Issaquah is coming off a 31-13 semifinal victory over Central Kitsap. The Eagles defeated Marysville-Pilchuck in the preliminary round, Kentwood in the first round and Bothell in the quarterfinals.

This is Issaquah’s second trip to a state football championship game. The Eagles advanced to the 1980 4A title contest, where they lost 21-3 to Mount Tahoma. Issaquah’s most successful coach Gary Moore, who passed away just before the season, led the 1980 team to the championship. This season has been dedicated to Moore, who had a 129-76-3 record at IHS from 1968-1984 and 1988-90. Players are wearing “GM” on their helmets in memory.

“I know somewhere Gary’s looking down on us and is proud of what this group has accomplished,” Bennett said.

Skyline focused on repeat

Skyline has its eyes not only on the school’s fourth-ever state football championship, but its fourth this decade. The Spartans won class 3A titles in 2000 and 2007, with a 4A title sandwiched between in 2005. Skyline has won 27 consecutive games — a streak that started Aug. 31, 2007 — and is looking for its second straight perfect season.

“Our kids are pretty focused,” said Taylor, who replaced high school coaching legend Steve Gervais at the start of the season. “We made a pact as a staff and as a team to get it done.”

A graduate of Issaquah High, Taylor said that this game is big, but aside from some minor ribbing from former classmates, he hasn’t thought about the game in any different light.

“To be honest, it really hasn’t had any real bearing,” he said. “I wouldn’t look at this any differently if we were playing someone else.”

The last time the Spartans faced the Eagles they generated 496 yards of offense. Quarterback Jake Heaps passed for 308 yards and four touchdowns.

Skyline, which is ranked No. 6 in the nation by USA Today in its latest Super 25 poll, enters the state championship game on the heels of a 24-21 semifinal victory over Ferris in Spokane on Saturday. The Spartans defeated Graham-Kapowsin in the preliminary round, Federal Way in the first round and Auburn in the quarterfinals.

“We feel that we’ve been very tested and we’re ready for the next challenge,” Taylor said.

Notes:

*The Issaquah football team was recently named the 2008 4A Football WIAA/Les Schwab State Academic Champions. The Eagles will be honored at halftime of Friday’s contest for their achievement. The team earned a collective 3.260 GPA to claim the prestigious honor. Skyline finished with the fifth-best GPA for class 4A football teams.

* Sammamish will hold a sendoff for Skyline at 4:30 p.m., Friday Fri at the corner of Issaquah Pine Lake Road and 228th — by Wells Fargo. Special commemorative T-shirts are available for $10.

* General admission tickets can be purchased at the Tacoma Dome box office. Prices are $14 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

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