Jake Heaps, Skyline
File photo by Juliann Tallino
Skyline (11-2) knocked off the previously unbeaten Bothell 31-26 in a Class 4A state semifinal. The win against the top-ranked Cougars (12-1) avenged a loss in the KingCo championship game to end the regular season. That was the first loss to an in-state opponent since the 2006 state playoffs for the second-ranked Spartans.
The win put Spartans into the Class 4A state championship game, which is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome.
"We had goals this entire season," Skyline middle linebacker Anthony DeMatteo told the Seattle Time. "To come back and have a shot at taking a three-peat, having a shot at getting our redemption from the KingCo championship game. It's just huge for us."
Skyline won the Class 3A state title two years ago. Last year, they moved up to 4A and won state again.
Skyline will play the Ferris Saxons of Spokane. Ferris (10-3) finally broke through to the title game after losing in the semifinals the previous two years. Last year, Skyline beat them in Spokane.
Ferris beat Skyview of Vancouver (10-3) 46-41 in its semifinal. The Saxons have never played for a state football title.
Class 3A: KingCo powers collide
Who: Liberty Patriots (12-1) vs. Bellevue Wolverines (11-2)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m., at the Tacoma Dome
This is the second straight year two KingCo football teams have met in a state title game. Last year, Skyline beat Issaquah in the 4A title game.
Bellevue is playing in the Class 3A title game for the seventh time in nine seasons and has never lost in the championship game.
Bellevue beat Union of Vancouver (11-2) 19-13 in the semifinals. It was a rematch of last year's state title game.
Liberty is back in the state title game for the first time since it won in 1988. And it's been quite a ride to get there.
Liberty rallied to beat O'Dea in the first round with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. In the quarterfinals, it beat Lidbergh in three overtimes.
In the semifinals, it took a field goal as time expired to beat top-ranked Lakes (12-1) 17-14. Liberty was down 14-0 heading into the fourth quarter.
Class 2A: Lions looking for repeat
Who: Lynden Lions (12-1) vs. West Valley-Spokane (13-0)
When: Saturday, 10 a.m., at the Tacoma Dome
Lynden is going for its second straight state title after dispatching Archibishop Murphy (11-2) in the state semifinals for the second straight year.
Lynden, which also won the state title in 2006, will play West Valley of Spokane, which beat No. 1 Ellensburg 24-17 in the other semifinal.
West Valley, known more for its basketball success, hasn't made the state tournament since 1987. It’s their first appearance in the title game since losing in 1984.
Class 1A: Connell, Cascade look to take next step
Who: Connell Eagles (13-0) vs. Cascade Christian Cougars (13-0)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m., at the Tacoma Dome
Connell is in the state title game for the third time in four years after eliminating Chelan (6-6) 37-14. Though the Eagles have played in the championship game, they have never won a state football title.
Matt Hadley will likely carry the load. The running back rushed for 236 yards and three touchdowns and returned a punt for a fourth score in the semifinal win.
Cascade Christian is also looking for its first state football title. The Cougars lost to Cashmere last year in the championship game, and despite several deep playoff runs this decade have yet to win.
The Cougars, who lost 18 seniors off last year's runner-up team, beat Nooksack Valley (10-3) 28-12 in their semifinal.
Class 2B
Who: Colfax Bulldogs (13-0) vs. Adna Pirates (12-0)
When: Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Tacoma Dome
The Pirates rode their dominating defense into the title game. The Pirates posted six shutouts this season. They beat Tacoma Baptist (12-1) 25-11.
Adna is looking for its first state football title since 1989.
Top-ranked Colfax was a Class 1A state power before moving down to 2B last year. The Bulldogs last won a state football title in 2001. They beat DeSales (9-4) of Walla Walla in its semifinal 19-0.
Class 1B (eight-man)
Who: Lummi Blackhawks (9-3) vs. Tri-Cities Prep Jaguars (10-2)
When: Friday, 4 p.m., at the Tacoma Dome
Tri-Cities' record-setting quarterback Will Hoppes has led the Jaguars into the state title game for the first time.
Hoppes passed for 334 yards in a 42-26 semifinal win over Cusick (11-1).
Hoppes has passed for 9,985 career yards, which is tops among eight-man quarterbacks. It's No. 4 in the state regardless of classification.
This is Lummi's second trip to the state title game. They finished second in 2006. Lummi hammered previously unbeaten Neah Bay (11-1) 64-36 in the semifinals.
