State 4A football notebook: Gonzaga Prep coach Dave McKenna back in state final

Gonzaga Prep football coach Dave McKenna is back in a State 4A championship game for the first time since 1987.

McKenna was a backup quarterback for the Bullpups when they lost to Puyallup 27-21 when the state finals were held at the old Kingdome.

The year before, McKenna was a backup quarterback when G-Prep captured its second state title. The Bullpups capped a 12-0 season by beating Juanita 14-7.

Then-Coeur d’Alene resident Ron Hawkins was the Bullpups’ starting quarterback.

“He played every down,” McKenna said. “I never saw the field.”

McKenna calls himself a career backup.

He always knew he wanted to be a football coach – and he wanted to be the head coach at his alma mater.

McKenna’s Bullpups, with his son, Conor, in his third year starting at middle linebacker, will try to finish the season 14-0 when they meet recent state power Skyline of Sammamish (12-1) Saturday night at the Tacoma Dome. Kickoff is at 7:30.

The game can be seen live on Root Sports. A live stream of the game can be purchased for $9.95 through NFHSNetwork.com.

So who is the better football player – dad or son?

“Not even close,” the coach said. “Conor is so much better than I ever was.”

McKenna has two younger sons. Hunter, a sophomore, played junior varsity and is a sophomore. McKenna’s youngest son, Ryan, is the ball boy.

Inside practice

The Bullpups traveled to Pullman on Thursday to get a 2-hour practice inside Washington State University’s facility.

G-Prep left for Tacoma on Friday morning. The Bullpups were scheduled to have a walk at the Seattle Seahawks’ indoor practice facility in Renton.

“We wanted to give the kids as much of a feel indoors as possible,” McKenna said.

The message to McKenna’s players immediately after they beat Richland in the semifinals last Saturday was to start drinking water nonstop. Hydration is key when playing inside.

G-Prep might have an advantage. The Bullpups start 22 players. The only player who sees time on both sides of the line of scrimmage is defensive end/running back Evan Weaver.

It’ll be an interesting matchup between the offensive and defensive lines of both teams. Skyline starts three linemen both ways.

Strong finish expected

McKenna has a good feeling about the final.

“We’re saving our best game for last,” he said.

He knows his defense will show up, and he expects the offense to be productive.

“Our kids up front. They compete. They’re tough dudes,” McKenna said.

Monday goal

The Bullpups’ have had just one goal each week since the postseason began.

“We wanted to go 1-0 each week and practice on Mondays,” McKenna said.

Skyline stands out

If there’s been a traditional power in 4A this millenium, it’s been Skyline.

The Spartans have captured five state titles since 2005. They’re going for a fifth title under coach Mat Taylor.

And they’re playing in their seventh final since 2005.

Skyline returns to the title game for the first time since it won in 2012 – the second of two straight titles.

Ferris is the last Greater Spokane League team to claim a state title. The Saxons went 14-0, topping Skyline in 2010.

Beating the unbeaten

The Spartans have knocked off knocked off three unbeaten teams on their journey to the final.

It began with a 17-15 win over No. 3 Gig Harbor, followed by a 35-10 victory against top-ranked Camas and a come-from-behind 37-34 decision over No. 2 Lake Stevens last Saturday.

Skyline has been led by senior quarterback Blake Gregory and senior running back Rashaad Boddie, who has committed to Colorado State.

Gregory has thrown for 2,935 yards and 31 touchdowns while Boddie has rushed for 1,731 yards and 19 TDs.

Weaver earns top honors

The Tacoma News Tribune on Friday named Weaver its player of the year.

“I have coached against some tremendous athletes in 30 years, but I can’t think of anybody more dominant than Evan,” Richland coach Mike Neidhold told the Tacoma newspaper.

Neidhold saw Weaver’s impact up close and personal. The Bombers’ season began and ended in losses to G-Prep.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Weaver, who has committed to the University of California, has 122 tackles – 36 for loss – to go with 23.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three recoveries among other things.

One other area player was named to the TNT’s all-classification team – Central Valley senior offensive lineman Scott Peck, who will graduate early this month so he can enroll early at Utah.