State Champs: Skyline Dominates Skyview 38-7 in 2011 4A State Football Championship

After losing in last year's state title game to Ferris, the Skyline (11-3) football team had one thing on their mind Saturday night, redemption, and they did it in style as they pulled away in the second half to a 38-7 win over the Skyview Storm (11-3) from Vancouver led by a total team effort starting with the suffocating defense led by Senior Peyton Pelluer. The Spartans held Skyview to 97 yards in the opening half.

"We had to figure it out after the Eastlake game, " Pelluer said. "We came together as a brotherhood, bonded, and we redeemed ourselves tonight."

After leading 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Spartans started to take control offensively as Damian Greene busted through the Skyview defense from 25 yards out, and Max Browne on the following drive hit Mason Gregory on a 35-yard bomb down the right sideline, eluding a fierce pass rush from the Storm giving the Spartans a 17-0 lead at half

"We came out with some deep stuff early and that got us going," Browne said. "The offensive line did a great job."

Skyview would fight back in the second half cutting Skyline's lead to 17-7 on a 32-yard touchdown strike from Kieran McDonagh to Reiley Henderson, and then Mo Morrison picked off a Browne pass and things started to get interesting.

But the defense came through again for the Spartans as Damian Greene picked off a pass and did what championship teams do with turnovers--cash them in right away.

Running back Jack Valencia scored from 11 yards out and also ran back an interception for a touchdown as part of a three touchdown outburst in the fourth quarter that broke the game wide open and secured the State Championship for Skyline once again.

Browne and Pelluer were ecstatic after the game about the team not allowing Skyview to beat them and enjoyed celebrating like Ferris did in 2010 when they beat the Spartans 24-16.

"When we came into the playoffs with a 6-3 record, I knew we were still the best team in the state," Browne said. "To be able throw a touchdown pass to my childhood friend Trevor Barney and to win this was a sweet game."

"I am excited for the underclassmen and the seniors," Pelluer said.

A Gatorade soaked head coach Mat Taylor lauded the belief of his team's ability to not give up on themselves after losing to Eastlake in week eight of the regular season.

"These kids never doubted anything," Taylor said. "We did a great job tonight keeping (Skyview) off balance, their quarterback is very talented."

"The kids also truly embraced playing one game at a time," Taylor said. "This is the best its ever been."