Kasen Williams leads parade of 2011 best efforts from individuals, teams
December 27, 2011
Peyton Pelluer (right), Skyline High School junior linebacker, and teammate Nic Sblendorio (9), junior defensive back, combine to throw Woodinville senior running back Devin McKee to the turf during the 4A state semifinal game Nov. 26. By Greg Farrar
It was a year of state titles for Skyline High School, and the end of a career for a Spartan who always seemed to be in championship form.
When he graduated last spring, Skyline’s Kasen Williams left a legacy that might never be duplicated in the Issaquah School District. He was definitely the most dominant figure in the local sports scene in 2011.
Skyline quarterback selected state player of the year
December 20, 2011
Skyline High School quarterback Max Browne, who directed the Spartans to the Class 4A state championship earlier this month, has been selected as the Associated Press Player of the Year.
The selection was based on voting by sports writers across the state.
Browne, a junior, completed 288 of 409 passes for 4,034 yards and 45 touchdowns this season.
On Dec. 3, he led the Spartans to a 38-7 victory against Skyview, of Vancouver, Wash., in the state championship game. The state title was Skyline’s fourth in five years.
Over two years, Browne has thrown for 8,216 yards and 95 touchdowns. In addition to the award, Browne was selected as quarterback on the Class 4A all-state offensive team.
The Associated Press honor was the latest for Browne, who was selected as one of The Seattle Times’ state players of the year. Browne was also named the Gatorade Washington Player of the Year.
Joining Browne on the Associated Press Class 4A all-state team was Skyline teammate Peyton Pelluer, who was voted to the defensive unit. Pelluer, a junior, had 122 solo tackles during the season.
Skyline Spartans continue dynasty, conquer state championship
December 6, 2011
Skyline wins sixth title since 2000 with 38-7 dominance over Skyiew
Mason Gregory, Skyline High School senior wide receiver, outleaps Skyview senior defensive back David Garlington for a 35-yard touchdown catch. By Greg Farrar
TACOMA — Before heading to the field for his second 4A state championship football game as a starter, Skyline High School junior quarterback Max Browne sat in the same chair in the same locker room as he did last year.
Skyline quarterback Max Browne is Gatorade Washington Player of the Year
December 6, 2011
Max Browne (left), Skyline High School junior quarterback, and senior running back Connor Gilchrist share a fist bump followed by a hug, as teammates lift the state 4A championship football trophy Dec. 3 at the Tacoma Dome. By Greg Farrar
Skyline High School quarterback Max Browne, who led the Spartans to the Class 4A state football title Dec. 3, has been named the Gatorade Washington Player of the Year.
Browne is the third Gatorade Washington Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Skyline High School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Browne as Washington’s best high school football player. Browne now is a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award, which will be announced later this month.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound junior quarterback directed the Spartans to an 11-3 record. Skyline defeated Skyview, of Vancouver, 38-7, in the state championship game.
Prior to the game, Browne had passed for 3,813 yards and 43 touchdowns, and had completed 273-of-389 attempts with just five interceptions. A 2010 First Team All-State selection, he threw for more than 200 yards in 13 games in 2011.
Browne has maintained a 3.55 grade point average in the classroom. He has volunteered locally on behalf of multiple community service initiatives in association with his church youth group, and as a football and basketball camp counselor and referee.
“Max Browne is incredibly poised and efficient, he makes great decisions and is a winner,” Liberty High School coach Steve Valach said.
A challenge to change the status quo
December 6, 2011
Hall Monitor Dawson Solly Liberty High School
Fall sports have just ended and the start to a new season has begun for winter high school sports such as basketball, gymnastics and wrestling.
For teams that moved into the playoffs and continued to the state championships, like the Skyline High School football team, it is an experience of a lifetime, but one thing missing from the playoffs is fan support. I think we need fan support from the district student body as a whole.
I know our district high schools have been rivals in the past and compete against each other, but times have changed as Skyline and Issaquah left 3A and moved on to 4A competition; the fan support should change, too. Instead of Liberty seeing Issaquah and Skyline as a rival in the playoffs we need to realize we are all part of the same district and that we all have an effect on our reputation as a whole.
Many may think that if this were to happen there would be a lot of conflict between schools, but think of how much our reputation as a district and community would improve. Districts across the state would think of our district as a trendsetter and a start to a new legacy.
Being an athlete at Liberty, I would see it as a positive, getting more support and gaining confidence because of it. Other athletes at Liberty agree — the more fans the better — particularly in sports such as wrestling, swimming/dive, gymnastics, tennis, and track and field, where individuals are on “the stage” alone.
Skyline beats Skyview at its game
December 6, 2011
Skyview, which had rolled by 11 opponents en route to the Class 4A state title game in the Tacoma Dome, finally felt what it was like to get shut down.
“A little bit of a role reversal there, huh?” said Skyview coach Steve Kizer in an interview with The Columbian newspaper. “Looks like they (Skyline) took a page out of our book.”
Skyview was averaging 47.8 points per game. But something was different this time. On a night where the word “sky” seemed to be omnipresent — the Storm never got its offense off the ground.
“Their coverage was great today,” Skyview quarterback Kieran McDonagh said. “That (Skyline) was a real physical team.”
Skyline Spartans clinch state football championship
December 4, 2011
NEW — 9 a.m. Dec. 4, 2011
The Skyline Spartans are state champs for the fourth time in five years after beating the Skyview Storm 38-7 Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.
Skyline used a strong running attack and typical air attack to take it to Skyview.
But The Spartan defense also played a huge role in the dominant effort at state. Three different defenders intercepted passes from Skyview’s Kieran McDonagh, including Jack Valencia’s 74-yard interception return for a touchdown with 34 seconds left in the game.
Junior quarterback Max Browne finished the night completing 15 of 22 pass attempts for 222 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Running back Damian Greene ran the ball 16 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. Valencia finished with 43 yards rushing and also punched through for an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Skyline Spartans defense does in Woodinville Falcons, 26-21
November 29, 2011
Max Browne, Skyline High School junior quarterback, breaks the tackle of Woodinville senior linebacker Jacob Hollister on a keeper for nine yards to the Falcon 8-yard line as the Skyline sideline looks on during the first quarter. By Greg Farrar
Even when the Woodinville Falcons were poised for a last-minute comeback, the Skyline High School football team seemed confidant that on the field things would go its way. Read more
Skyview stands in way of Skyline’s sixth title
November 29, 2011
The Sky is definitely the limit.
Two high schools, both with “Sky” in their names, who opened the same year (1997), collide at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 for the 4A state football championship in the Tacoma Dome.
Skyline’s Spartans (10-3) will be seeking a sixth state title. The Spartans have won a state title four times in the past five years. The Tacoma Dome has been like a second home field for the Spartans, who have won nine of their last 10 games in the stadium.
Skyview (11-2), located down in Vancouver, Wash., is making its first title appearance. The closest the Storm has ever come to the finals was in 2009 when it lost to Ferris, 46-41, in the semifinals.
‘It feels so good’ as Skyline soccer team clinches state title
November 22, 2011
Spartans win third girls 4A state soccer championship in four years behind goal of sub Lianna Simms
Tina Vargas, Skyline High School senior goalkeeper (left), can't contain her joy as she celebrates with teammate Nicole Candioglos after the Spartans won their third state title in four years. By Christopher Huber
One went down, another stepped up.
