Saxons pursue title shot

Only the linemen will be strangers when Ferris and Skyline play in Saturday’s State 4A semifinal football game at Albi Stadium.

For the past two summers the teams have met in the finals of the Big Kahuna Passing 7-on-7 tournament in Burnaby, B.C., with the Saxons winning both times.

“We know there were no offensive linemen,” said Spartans first-year head coach Mat Taylor, “but our kids take pride in things and they were held in check, so it’s extra motivation.”

Not that either team needs any when they meet for real. At stake is a berth in the championship of Gridiron Classic in Tacoma.

From the season’s beginning, all signs pointed to Skyline (12-0) as the top 4A football team in the state of Washington. The Spartans returned 11 players who started for last year’s 3A state champions.

They feature three coveted college prospects. Junior quarterback Jake Heaps is unbeaten and has thrown just eight interceptions in 26 varsity games. Nearly 20 colleges are wooing him.

A four-receiver package features fellow returning starters and two-way players Gino Simone and Kasen Williams, the latter a highly touted sophomore.

The school from Issaquah has made something of a habit of winning, with three state titles and a second place since 2000. Ferris (11-1) has its work cut out.

“It will be a monumental task,” said Ferris coach Jim Sharkey. “They have those three players, but the most impressive thing is their overall depth in the offensive and defensive lines, their special teams, with 10 blocked punts and the best run defense in state. They are the whole package.”

Skyline’s defense, despite replacing seven regulars, has allowed a mere 42 points and the starters have given up one touchdown all year.

“Going into the season everyone talked about our offense, but the defense has been unbelievable,” Taylor agreed. “They are very, very disciplined and that’s a trademark for the team as a whole.”

Both Ferris and Skyline are spread-offense teams who like to balance pass with run, although the Spartans operate without a huddle.

The Saxons have a pretty good offensive and defensive package of their own. Connor Halliday, a junior first-year starter, is no slouch as a quarterback. He has passed for 2,125 yards and 19 touchdowns.

“Connor is extremely competitive and really poised,” said Sharkey of his 6-foot-4 field general. “I said before the 98-yard drive (to beat Central Valley) that he had to be John Elway. He laughs and goes out there and his throws were very impressive.”

Halliday’s favorite targets are two-way players Aaron Roberts and Garrett Saiki who between them have 105 receptions and are part of a committee that has divided 1,568 rushing yards.

“We know they are very well coached and defensively they’ve got kids who fly around,” said Taylor. “I’m impressed with their team speed and their secondary is good. I think it will be an all-around great game and we need to make sure our kids are ready.”

The Saxons are in the state semifinals for the second straight year, a first for a Greater Spokane League team since Gonzaga Prep teams in the 1970s and ’80s. That in itself is special, said Sharkey. And though the task at hand is formidable he isn’t conceding anything heading into Saturday’s game.

“We’ve got a shot,” he said. “We definitely belong. We’ve proved ourselves to be the best team on the east side and our league was deep, so that will help us.”