State 4A final: Skyline 45, Ferris 21
Coach Jim Sharkey's worst fears were realized. Skyline's defensive front caused problems but not as much as the offense's ability to run the football which made it more difficult to defend the pass. Kasen Williams and his fellow sure-handed mates complimented BYU-bound Jake Heaps and the running game for a dominant 45-21 victory over Ferris for the 4A State football title.
Fourth quarter
Ferris: A 73-yard drive, including Halliday's 49-yard pass to a streaking Bates, set up an early fourth quarter TD cutting the lead to 31-21. But the pocket collapsed on Halliday on the next possession. He was hit as he threw and picked off by lineman Jake Carlson, setting the Spartans up at the 16.
Skyline: Heaps hits Connor Brandt, 38-21, 7:51. Then, following a bit of razzle dazzle out of the Wildcat led to a reverse to Heaps, 66-yard strike to Cooper Pelluer, son of Scott, and eventually the final indignity. Heaps threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another. He and Halliday finished with 254 passing yards each. But the ultimate difference was the 192-7 rushing yardage differential. That and the fact Skyline is simply the better team.
Third quarter
Skyline: Penalties intrude and Saxons hold. Take over at 34 with 9:32 left in q. But trickery does em in, Tonani picked. The Spartans, using up 6 1/2 minutes of the period mostly on the run, hae 15 plays to Ferris' 1 and a 31-14 lead on a sweet loft pass to glue-fingered Williams.
Second Quarter
Skyline - Heaps to Tait Stephens for 26 yards. Nick Washburn out of the Wildcat fakes handoff and scores from the 5. Spartans 14, Saxons 7
Ferris - Saxons drive to Skyline's 37 thanks to two pass interference calls and three completions. But center snap crosses up Halliday to end drive.
Skyline - There's no stopping Beauchamp. Speedy No. 5 gains 50 yards on five attempts to set up 15-yard Heaps to Williams score. Skyline 21-7, 4:45 left until half.
Ferris - Saxons in the final 4:45 cover 61 yards the hardway to close within a TD of the Spartans. Two penalties from the goalline shoved Ferris back, but Halliday finds Bates in left side of end zone. He twice hit Tonani, one for 35 yards and another for 27 - Tonani made a miracle catch on the sideline to make it first and goal at the 5. Orosco plows to near the goalline, but penalties forced Halliday's hand from the 11 on fourth down. Bates obliges with 57 seconds left. Skyline 21-14.
Skyline - Here comes Heaps. Doesn't take him long to bring the Spartans back with 35 yards of completions and a 10 yard run to the 19. 36-yard field goal by Sean Penberthy as time expires. Halftime: Skyline 24, Ferris 14Second Quarter
Skyline - Heaps to Tait Stephens for 26 yards. Nick Washburn out of the Wildcat fakes handoff and scores from the 5. Spartans 14, Saxons 7
Ferris - Saxons drive to Skyline's 37 thanks to two pass interference calls and three completions. But center snap crosses up Halliday to end drive.
Skyline - There's no stopping Beauchamp. Speedy No. 5 gains 50 yards on five attempts to set up 15-yard Heaps to Williams score. Skyline 21-7, 4:45 left until half.
Ferris - Saxons in the final 4:45 cover 61 yards the hardway to close within a TD of the Spartans. Two penalties from the goalline shoved Ferris back, but Halliday finds Bates in left side of end zone. He twice hit Tonani, one for 35 yards and another for 27 - Tonani made a miracle catch on the sideline to make it first and goal at the 5. Orosco plows to near the goalline, but penalties forced Halliday's hand from the 11 on fourth down. Bates obliges with 57 seconds left. Skyline 21-14.
Skyline - Here comes Heaps. Doesn't take him long to bring the Spartans back with 35 yards of completions and a 10 yard run to the 19. 36-yard field goal by Sean Penberthy as time expires. Halftime: Skyline 24, Ferris 14. Halliday has passed for 134 yards, Tonani has 79 on 5 catches. Heaps is 10-14 for 115 yards. Difference is that Skyline has 131 yards rushing, Ferris 2.
First Quarter
Ferris: Promising start on the opening drive against Skyline. Saxons started on own 29 and have moved to Spartan's 19 with 8:25 to play in quarter. Connor Halliday hits a wide open Jordan Tonani in the flat for a first down at the 7. Following a completion to Jason Bates, Halliday finds him wide open in left corner for a 3-yard TD. 7-0, 7:17. 13 plays, 71 yards. Halliday was 6-for-9 34 yards. Gage Orosco has 22-yard gain on a fake punt that kept drive moving
Skyline four plays and out, Saxons three and out. Short punt, Skyline on the move beginning at its 45. Brendon Olson's come up big on defense so far. Nick Beauchamp however comes in to give Lakeside a running lift, four carries 40 yards up the gut setting up a Jake Heaps to Kasen Williams TD pass. Drive 55 yards, time 2:03, 7-7. 1:41 left in first quarter.
Nice kickoff return by Olson nullified by penalty. Passing game sputters, 4th and 10. Orosco's 41 yard punt results in Ferris penalty. Skyline takes over at Saxon 47. Orosco breaks up TD try Heaps to Williams. Quarter ends with Skyline at the Saxons 31. Skyline had 94 yards of total offense, Ferris 70.