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had all the fixings of an intense inner-league rivalry and went down to the wire.
Washington “Game of the Week” – Week 6
One of the best football games in Washington this year, the Thursday night 4A matchup between KingCo’s Skyline and SPSL’s Graham-Kapowsin had all the fixings of an intense inner-league rivalry and went down to the wire. Both teams were neck and neck in everyone’s Top 10 rankings. Both teams were 5-0. It was the Eastside’s Sammamish plateau versus deep woods and country Graham. Skyline was seeking to avenge last year’s 17-14 loss at home. And Graham-Kapowsin was looking to prove they were for real after losing key starters from their semi-finals team a year ago. This game also had big time playoff intensity as these two teams are contenders to possibly meet again in the Tacoma Dome come late November and maybe even December 5.
The 38-34 final score reflected how closely the teams matched up, in more ways than one. The only thing missing was the potential Goliath v. Goliath matchup between Spartan lineman Henry Bainivalu (6’6” 290 lbs) and the Eagles’ Foster Sarell (6’7” 320 lbs) – both of whom rank in the top 10 nationally, at their positions, for the Class of 2017. Sarell was still recovering from a Week 1 dislocated forearm, but plans to be back before the playoffs.
Although there were big offensive plays from start to finish, the keys to Graham-Kapowsin’s victory were four strong defensive stands, in which they forced Skyline to settle for field goal attempts, and another stand in the red-zone at the game’s end. The G-K held its own after Logan Wanamaker’s 75-yard opening kickoff return resulted in only a field goal. But, G-K freshman QB Dylan Morris fumbled on the next possession, in G-K territory, leading to a 17-yard Blake Gregory to Bradley Kim TD pass.
On the ensuing possession, Eagles RB Aaron Wright took an up-the-middle dive, broke to the sideline and rambled 81 yards for a TD, cutting the Skyline lead to 10 – 7. Wright finished the day with 188 yards on 17 carries and 3 TD’s. The next play, Skyline WR Danny Sinatro took a Gregory screen pass 68 yards to the house to put Skyline up 17 – 7. Later, on the first play of the 2nd quarter, the Spartans looked like were going to pull away. Morris threw a pick 6 into the hands of DB Colin Huber. But, LB Caleb Johnston was called for pass interference. So, instead of a 24 – 7 Spartans lead, the game remained close as the teams traded field goals. Morris remained poised like a veteran and led G-K on two TD drives of 80 and 77 yards, putting G-K up 24-20, before Skyline ended the half with a field goal to make it a 1-point game.
G-K and Skyline traded TD’s, respectively to open the 3rd quarter, including a Bradley Kim one-yard reception on 4th down. Gregory connected with Sinatro for 2 points, making it a 31-31 tie. On their next drive, G-K fumbled on its own 10. But, a stout G-K defense forced a Crane 24-yard FG. The very next G-K offensive play, Jake Pendergast intercepted Dylan at the G-K 30 yard line. But, the G-K defense saved the Eagles again. After a Crane FG miss from 48, the score remained Skyline 34 – 31. Still poised and unshaken, Dylan immediately took to the air, from his own 20, on G-K’s very next offensive play and connected with Eian Olmos for 41 yards. Later, Wright scored on an 8-yard sweep with 10:07 left in the game, putting G-K up for good 38 – 34.
A punt by Olmos pinned Skyline in on its own 6 yard line with 1:16 to go. But, two plays later, QB Blake Gregory hooked up with WR Danny Sinatro for 77 yards. G-K linebacker Ezra Bolten made a game-saving, shoe-string tackle on the play. Skyline then spiked the ball to stop the clock, then gained 2 yards on a bubble screen. On 3rd down from the 8, Gregory’s pass to Wanamaker went through his outstretched hands in the end zone, as Wright defended tightly. Bradley Kim was wide open at the back of the end zone as Gregory scrambled on 4th down, but his pass was just a little too high and a little too deep. G-K took a knee to run the clock out.
Gregory finished 18/35 for 299 yards, while Sinatro caught 9 for 237.