Skyline opens playoffs with a bang, downs Kentridge 42-0

What's the best cure for a disappointing loss?

For Skyline, a 42-0 state-qualifying victory over of Kentridge did the trick.

"It feels very good, last week hit us pretty hard," said Spartan wide receiver Kasen Williams, referring to a 25-20 loss to Bothell.

Head coach Mat Taylor credited his teams' success on Friday night to a change in attitude at Monday's practice — one that carried over throughout the week.

"We had the best week of practice since I've been at Skyline, if not ever, this year for sure," Taylor said. "They were real focused, they were having fun. The energy was just unbelievable this week."

Skyline's determination showed on both sides of the ball, starting with the defense. Kentridge was forced into a three-and-out its first possession. Then, after recovering a fumble and driving into Spartan territory, the Chargers were forced to punt again.

BYU-bound quarterback Jake Heaps took over from there.

The Skyline senior, who completed 20 of 24 passes for 292 yards and three TDs, marched his team 40 yards on five plays before finding junior Jordan Simone for a 9-yard score. Heaps followed with a 1-yard rushing TD, but his most impressive drive came right before the half. With the ball at their own 20 and 1:37 remaining in the second quarter, Heaps led the Spartans 80 yards on 12 plays. He capped the drive off with just 6 seconds left in the first half, threading the needle to Williams on a 21-yard strike. The ball was placed just above the defender, and last year's 4A state high jump champion took over from there.

"It slipped right through (the defender's) hands, I got the little tip in there and just came down with it," Williams said.

The touchdown gave the Spartans a 28-0 lead headed into the locker room.

Skyline tacked on two more insurance scores in the third quarter, one coming on a 10-yard TD pass from Heaps to Connor Cree, and another coming on an 11-yard counter from senior running back Nick Washburn.

The Spartan defense forced the Chargers into three turnovers, and held them to 75 yards of total offense — just 18 in the second half. Kentridge had chances to get points on the board in the first half, narrowly missing on field goals from 44 and 39 yards. They simply couldn't find an answer.

"(They're) easily the best team I've ever played," Kentridge senior Dylan Zylstra said. "We looked at it as a privilege to just come out and play with possibly the best team in the state of Washington."

Zylstra returned a fumble 43 yards inside the Spartan 5 with just under 3 minutes remaining the first half, but was called for a personal foul for punching, while trying to fend off a defender.

"We came out at first fired up and some bad mistakes kind of killed us, but I thought we gave them a pretty good battle and wish the best of luck to them the rest of their season," Zylstra said.

Kentridge ended its season at 6-4 overall.

Skyline, now 8-2, will travel to face the winner of South Kitsap-Heritage (Vancouver) next week.

"We're looking forward to it," Williams said. "We see it as a business trip, that's what we see it as. We just want to go down there and take care of business and come back."

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