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.

Williams, who now plays football for the University of Washington, concluded a remarkable high-school career last May by winning three individual titles at the Class 4A state meet. Along with those championship medals, Williams also collected numerous national and state honors.

While he was catching touchdown passes for the Huskies this fall, his alma mater did quite well, too. Skyline won Class 4A state championships in girls swimming, football and girls soccer. The Spartans also had a near miss in boys soccer last spring, finishing second in the state tournament.

Overall, the sports programs at all three Issaquah district high schools had something to cheer about in 2011. Liberty High School had incredible achievements in girls cross country, boys track and girls soccer. Issaquah High School had plenty to cheer about in girls soccer, girls cross country and girls track.

Here’s a recap of the top local sports stories in 2011:

Where did he put all the loot?

Hopefully Kasen Williams had enough room on his trophy case for all the awards. Williams was selected as the Gatorade Washington Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year last spring. He was the first Gatorade Washington Boys track and field Athlete of the Year to be chosen from Skyline.

The award recognized not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the track. Williams maintained a 3.10 grade point average in the classroom.

At the Class 4A state meet, Williams won the triple jump with a leap of 50 feet, 9 1/4 inches, which ranked third in the nation. He also captured the long jump with a 24-5 1/4 effort and won the high jump by clearing 6-10. He ranked among the nation’s top 20 in the long jump and high jump.

At the KingCo Conference 4A championships, Williams won the triple jump, high jump and long jump. It was the third straight year he won those events.

Earlier this year, Williams was selected as Parade Magazine’s National football player of the year.

And, not just limited to track and football, Williams showed skill on the basketball court. Last winter, he earned all-KingCo Conference 4A first-team honors in basketball.

A three-peat for Skyline swimming

Skyline, sparked by senior Katie Kinnear, won its third consecutive state swimming title Nov. 12 at the King County Aquatic Center.

The Spartans rolled up 202 points to finish 55 points ahead of runner-up Stadium.

“I’m just thrilled. I cannot believe how they swam,” Skyline coach Susan Simpkins said. “They performed better than we ever imagined.”

Kinnear, bound for UCLA, won her fourth consecutive 100-yard butterfly title in 53.46 seconds, just .36 of a second off of the state-record time she set as a sophomore at Eastlake. The Skyline swimmer dropped a second from her previous personal best to win the 100 backstroke in 54.6, an automatic All-American time. Her butterfly time was also good enough for All-American status. The two victories were the sixth and seventh individual titles in her amazing high school career.

Kinnear was named the swimmer of the 4A meet.

The Spartans added key points in winning the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay. Kinnear anchored the 400 free relay team and was helped by Maria Volodkevich, Meghan O’Keefe and Stephanie Muñoz. The relay team finished in 3:32.87, an All-American consideration time.

In the 200 medley relay, Skyline finished first with an All-American consideration time of 1:47.22. Sarah Elderkin, Andi Scarcello, Kinnear and Volodkevich made up the relay team.

Besides the Spartans, Liberty had plenty to celebrate about in the 3A state competition. The Patriots finished seventh, an all-time best for the program. Freshman Mackenna Briggs won the 100 backstroke in 58.62 and took third in the 200 individual medley.

Skyline football back on top

After finishing second in the state tournament in 2010, the Spartans were eager to redeem themselves in 2011. However, when Skyline began the season with a 5-3 record, chances of reclaiming the state title did not seem promising.

But the Spartans got rolling in the post-season and completed their journey to the top by crushing the Skyview Storm, 38-7, Dec. 3 to win the Class 4A championship in the Tacoma Dome. It was the sixth state title in the history of Skyline’s football program.

“This is what every high school player wants to experience,” Skyline junior quarterback Max Browne said after the title game. “We got it done. It’s a dream come true.”

Browne capped a fantastic season as he completed 15 of 22 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He earned several post-season all-state and all-KingCo Conference awards.

The Skyline defense, led by junior linebacker Peyton Pelluer, was outstanding against Skyview, of Vancouver, Wash., which had overpowered all its opponents in the playoffs.

Spartans wear another crown

Not all of Skyline’s victories in girls soccer were fancy, but the Spartans always managed to get the job done. And it wasn’t always the same player stepping up and carrying the team.

When the Spartans won the Class 4A state title Nov. 19 at Puyallup’s Sparks Stadium, they had another new hero. Junior defender Lianna Simms, subbing for injured Jackie Wilson, connected on a free-kick in the 22nd minute as top-ranked Skyline defeated Bellarmine Prep, 1-0.

Tough defense and dazzling goaltending by senior Tina Vargas were keys to the Spartans’ success. Skyline had four shutouts in four state playoff games, and outscored opponents 5-0.

The win gave Skyline (18-0-2) its third state title and first unbeaten season in school history.

Vargas posted her 11th shutout of the season. She made seven saves, including four in the final 10 minutes.

In the semifinals, Brooke Bofto and Maddie Christ scored as Skyline stopped fourth-ranked Tahoma, 2-0.

Liberty girls come close to soccer title

The Liberty girls team almost duplicated Skyline’s season. However, the Patriots fell to Seattle Prep, 3-2, Nov. 19 in the Class 3A state title game at Sparks Stadium.

The Patriots ironically opened the season losing to Skyline, 1-0, in a nonleague game. Liberty then won 18 straight games en route to the state championship game. On the way to the final the Patriots repeated their KingCo Conference 3A/2A title.

It was Liberty’s first time in the state championship game in the school’s 34-year history. The Patriots top previous finishes were third places in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

While their final game didn’t end the way the Patriots wanted, senior captain Cassidy Nangle said she was proud of the team’s accomplishments.

“We were able to take the name of Liberty soccer further than it’s ever been,” she said. “We made it to the state championship, and that was something we couldn’t frown upon.”

Liberty earned its spot in the title game by defeating Eastside Catholic, 1-0, in the semifinals. Kailiana Johnson scored Liberty’s goal. Liberty goalkeeper Macaire Ament recorded her 11th shutout.

Liberty boys track team second at state

The Liberty boys track team placed second May 28 at the Class 3A state track and field meet at Tacoma’s Mount Tahoma High School.

Liberty’s strong showing was largely a result of phenomenal performances from Josh Gordon and the school’s boys 4×400 meter relay team.

Gordon, a junior, took first in the 3A long jump with a leap of 22-10 1/2. He took second in the high jump, clearing 6-6. The latter set a new personal best and a school record.

The 4×400 team — Gordon, Devin Bennett, Joseph Bergmann and Hamilton Noel — took first place with a time of 3 minutes, 22.08 seconds.

Also, Liberty’s Hiron Redmon, a sophomore, took third in the 800-meter dash with a time of 1:56.1; Bennett was fourth in the 400 with a time of 51.01; and Noel placed sixth in the pole vault with a jump of 13-6.

In all, it was a big spring for Gordon, who also had a sensational performance in the 3A KingCo meet. Gordon won the high jump, long jump, 200 and ran as a member of the Patriots’ winning 4×400 relay team.

Small player has big impact

One of the smallest players in KingCo Conference 4A girls soccer had a mighty big impact this season.

Audrey Thomas, just 4-feet-11, was a dynamo on the pitch for Issaquah High School. The junior midfielder led the conference in scoring and sparked the Eagles to the 4A state tournament.

She was also selected the league’s most valuable player.

“She won it by a landslide,” Issaquah coach Tom Bunnell said. “She was just so dynamic.”

Although on the small side, Thomas commanded respect from every team she played against.

Thomas scored a league-leading 10 goals and had 11 assists to tally a league-leading 31 points.

Thomas, who was named to the all-KingCo first team, hauled in an even bigger post-season honor. She was selected the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Washington State High School Player of the Year.

In addition, Thomas was selected to the association’s All-Far West Region Team and named an All-American.

“She had a pretty good year,” Bunnell said.

Liberty girls cross country takes eighth at state meet

The Liberty girls cross country team entered the 3A state meet with high hopes of finishing among the top four teams. However, the Patriots ended up eighth Nov. 5 at the Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. Nevertheless, it capped an outstanding season for the Patriots, who reached the state meet for the second straight year.

“I am not unhappy with eighth,” Liberty coach Michael Smith said. “Last year when we went to state, we were just happy to get there. This year, the girls really wanted to get fourth. However, that meant everyone running perfect.

“We had three girls who ran outstanding races, but we had four others than ran well but not at their best.”

Junior Allie Wood, a standout softball player, was Liberty’s top placer at state. Wood finished 27th in 19:27.9. Freshman Sarah Bliesner was 43rd in 19:47.7 and sophomore Megan Larson was 44th in 19:49.9.

Rounding out the Patriots’ top five were junior Megan Chucka (94th) and sophomore Amy Broska (101st). Junior Rachel Shaw was 102nd. The only senior on the team was Aimee Christensen, who finished 133rd.

Prior to the state meet, Liberty won a second straight Sea-King District 3A title.

Eagles land in top 10

Issaquah, which had five freshmen on its girls cross country team, finished eighth Nov. 5 at the Class 4A state meet in Pasco.

The Eagles had the second-highest finish for a KingCo Conference 4A team. Redmond was third.

“We finished just about where I thought we should have been,” Issaquah coach Gwen Robertson said. “I was hoping for a top-10 finish and that’s where we were. We couldn’t have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect. The girls all performed very well.”

Senior Rachel Osgood was Issaquah’s top runner, finishing 32nd on the Sun Willows Golf Course in a time of 19 minutes, 17.4 seconds. Ellie Clawson was next for Issaquah in 42nd. Rounding out the Eagles’ top five were Cayla Seligman (100th), Ellie Hendrickson (112th) and Emily Winterstein (113th). All will return next season along with freshman Abby Wilson and sophomore Amanda Chalfant, who finished 118th and 122nd, respectively.

“I am pleased that they got to see what state is all about. Hopefully they will go back next year when all the mystery is gone,” Robertson said. “It was pretty exciting for them. I think it could get them pretty motivated for the future.”

For Issaquah, it was the first time the girls team had competed at a state meet in 13 years.To put it into a different perspective, some current members of the team were just 2 years old when the Eagles last sent a girls team to the state championship meet.

Prior to the state meet, Issaquah finished fourth at the Wes-King Bi-District 4A meet. A week before district, Issaquah placed second at the KingCo 4A meet to qualify its team to the district competition for the first time in 13 years.

Perry overcomes injury to win state title

Issaquah’s Eva Perry missed a portion of her junior track season because of an injury. However, she came on strong when it counted.

At the Class 4A state meet, Perry cleared 11-3 to finish first in the girls pole vault. It was a case where the third time was certainly the charm for Perry, who had been one of the top placers the previous two years.

She placed eighth in 2009 as a freshman and fourth in 2010 as a sophomore.

Despite her previous performances at state, Perry was bit of long-shot to win the title after placing third at district by going just 10-6.

However at state, Perry became the first Issaquah pole vaulter to win a state title. She was also the first Issaquah individual to win an event at state in six years.

With Perry and senior Haley Jacobson, who placed second in the 200 meters and fourth in the 100, Issaquah finished sixth in the team standings.

Prior to the state meet, Perry repeated her title in the KingCo championships by going 11 feet.

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.

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.

But this year was different. This year, he was more experienced. This year, his team, after losing the title in 2010, was more driven to prove they were once again the best in the state.

That drive, reinforced with the sting of three regular-season losses, proved to be a potent factor as the Spartans outmatched the Skyview Storm, 38-7, for its sixth football title Dec. 3 at the Tacoma Dome.

“This is what every high school player wants to experience,” Browne said after the game. “We got it done. It’s a dream come true.”

Despite facing one of the largest offensive and defensive lines it had seen, Skyline (11-3) used a balanced and efficient attack to pick away at Skyview all game to take home its fourth state championship in five years.

“We’ve faced bigger lines than ours all year,” Browne said. “But we didn’t force anything.”

Browne completed 15 of 22 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Skyline tallied 352 yards on offense and the defense held Skyview to 230 yards. It limited star running back Parker Henry to just 34 yards on 15 carries.

The Spartans moved the ball quickly from its first possession. After a nearly 5-minute possession, it settled for a 24-yard field goal by Sean McDonald. Skyview’s first four possessions ended in two punts and two failures to convert on fourth down.

Skyline took a 17-0 lead into the halftime break.

Running back Damian Greene, of Skyline, took the ball 25 yards up the middle for a touchdown just eight seconds into the second quarter, capping a 79-yard, 11-play drive. And with 7:53 left in the half, Browne found receiver Mason Gregory for a 35-yard touchdown pass. The Spartan offensive line gave Browne plenty of time all night to find his receivers. Gregory caught two passes for 48 yards.

“The biggest thing is keeping them off balance,” Skyline coach Mat Taylor said.

The Storm came out flat and struggled to move the ball in the first half. It gained just 96 yards in the first half and drove no farther then the Skyline 32-yard line. The Storm defense pressed all night, intercepting two Browne passes and sacking him three times.

A resurgent Storm scored first in the second half, cutting the deficit to 17-7. Quarterback Kieran McDonagh connected with receiver Reiley Henderson for a 32-yard scoring play with 5:44 left in the third quarter. McDonagh, who had thrown for 2,622 yards and just four interceptions all season, finished the game 19 of 31 for 162 yards and three interceptions.

That scoring drive was it for Skyview. It staged a 12-play drive ending the third and opening the fourth quarter, but hopes for another touchdown were dashed when Greene intercepted a McDonagh pass at the Skyline 20-yard line. Greene, a senior, finished with 76 yards on 16 carries.

“We knew they were big, but didn’t really care about that,” senior linebacker Peyton Pelluer said. “We just wanted to play them like any other team. This is huge. We wanted redemption.”

Skyline went up 24-7 after Jack Valencia rumbled around the left side for an 11-yard score with 4:49 left to go. Three minutes later, the Spartans put the game away for sure after Matt Sinatro picked off a fourth-and-9 pass from McDonagh at the Skyview 34-yard line. Browne connected with receiver Trevor Barney for a 33-yard passing touchdown to make it 31-7 with 1:40 remaining. Barney finished the night with five receptions for 83 yards.

Valencia gave Skyline one last thing to cheer about when he returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown with 34 seconds left. It put a cap on a complete performance by a Spartans team focused on getting back on top.

“It’s the best it’s ever been,” Taylor said of the Skyline football program.

Christopher Huber: 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

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.

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.

“Personally I would like it, because when there are more fans, the more likely I will be able to perform at a top level. I think it would be a good thing,” said senior Josh Gordon, a multiple sport state competitor at Liberty.

Overall, the rivalries between Issaquah, Liberty and Skyline have been in good fun and are part of the competition. But it sure would be cool to be the district that has the courage to support one another at the big events, especially when competing outside our district. Specifically, as fellow athletes, we should be able to empathize and respect each other’s efforts to perform under pressure, and that alone is worth cheering for.

So, I challenge you to support the talented and dedicated athletes of the Issaquah School District and be the start of a higher level of sportsmanship.

“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.”

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.

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.Max Browne and the Skyline offense had done its job. The defense had held just well enough in key situations. And even though Woodinville recovered an onside kick and nearly scored a game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds left, Skyline seemed to hold onto a tradition built on its ability to thrive during the state playoffs.

“I was terrified,” Skyline coach Mat Taylor said.

The Spartans survived the 4A state semifinal match, beating Woodinville, 26-21, Nov. 26 in a battle of KingCo Conference teams at the Tacoma Dome. The Spartans (10-3) will play for a chance to take home their third 4A state championship in four years at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Tacoma Dome.

“I think so much of it is tradition, and the kids building up their own program,” Taylor said of the team’s late-season success. “We have expected the guys are gonna win.”

Skyline got things going early. It scored on its first possession of the game after junior quarterback Browne set it up with a 40-yard pass to senior receiver Taggart Kreuger. Seven plays later, Browne connected with running back Damian Greene for a 2-yard touchdown pass. After a botched field goal attempt, the Spartans led 6-0.

Both teams ended promising first-half drives with turnovers, including Skyline’s fumble to Woodinville on the Falcon 15-yard line on the first play of the second quarter. Woodinville went three-and-out and Skyline scored on the next possession on a Greene 1-yard run up the middle to take a 12-0 lead.

The Falcons gave it back 12 plays later when Skyline defensive back Andrew Giese intercepted a pass in the end zone from quarterback Brett Arrivey.

The Spartans kept control of the game by plugging any running lanes for Falcons’ running back Alec Schwend, the KingCo Crown Division’s Offensive Player of the Year. Skyline held Schwend to just 35 yards on 12 carries all game.

“They controlled the tempo in the first half,” Woodinville coach Wayne Maxwell said. “They were just flying up and committing nine guys to the run.”

Skyline led 12-0 at halftime after failing to capitalize on the turnover.

Browne completed 15 of 20 passes for 170 yards in the first half and finished 22 for 30 for 281 yards and three touchdowns.

Woodinville got on the board right away after executing through the air in the third quarter. It scored on a 3-yard, Arrivey-to-Schwend pass play. But the Spartans rallied with all cylinders firing to score on its next possession. They went up 19-7 when Greene caught a 60-yard pass from Browne, blasted through two tackles and cruised into the end zone with 7:53 remaining in the third quarter. Greene finished the contest with 31 yards rushing on 12 carries, but he also caught seven passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

Skyline’s Nic Sblendorio scored another touchdown for the Spartans in the fourth quarter when he dashed 30 yards on a reverse around the left side into the end zone.

Woodinville kept things alive with another score of its own later in the third quarter. Arrivey scored on a 3-yard keeper, which capped a 65-yard drive.

“Those guys didn’t give up,” Taylor said of the previously unbeaten Falcons team.

The typically run-heavy Falcons were forced to work quickly with the passing game and finished with 338 total yards on offense. Arrivey completed 24 of 34 passes for 269 yards, including the 5-yard touchdown pass to Beau Vintertun that made it 26-21 with 1:28 remaining.

Skyline’s poor handling of the onside kick and the ensuing threat Woodinville posed in the final seconds was a little too close for comfort, Browne and Taylor said about feeling at home in the playoffs. They hoped to learn from past experiences to not let things get out of hand in this year’s state final.

“We’re comfortable, but that last one was too close,” Browne said. “In the end, we trusted in our beliefs and got it done.”

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.

Issaquah coach Chris Bennett has experience facing both teams this season. The Eagles lost to Skyline, 41-14, in a Sept. 23 KingCo Conference encounter and fell to Skyview, 47-17, Nov. 4 in a state tournament preliminary game.

“It should be a great game,” Bennett said. “Obviously, we have played Skyview more recently and we know they have a very talented team. Skyline has done some things differently from when we played them and is a better team now.”

Skyline and Skyview defeated previously undefeated teams in the Nov. 26 semifinals. Skyline downed KingCo Conference 4A rival Woodinville, 26-21, while Skyview crushed Lake Stevens, 38-14.

Both teams got off to slow starts this season but have been rolling in the playoffs.

The Spartans were 6-3 when they entered the postseason. Skyline has reeled off four straight victories and seems to have that championship form again.

Like the Spartans, Skyview suffered early defeats to powerful opponents. The Storm fell to Couer d’Alene, Idaho’s Class 6A state champion, and Sherwood, which plays in Oregon’s 5A state title game Dec. 3.

In the post season, the Storm have outscored opponents 161-55. Skyview dominated Lake Stevens, scoring touchdowns on five of its first seven drives.

Lake Stevens tried to take away Skyview’s Parker Henry, the Class 4A’s leading rusher. However, Storm quarterback Kieran McDonagh plucked the Lake Stevens’ secondary, hitting 22 of 31 passes for 339 yard and two touchdowns. He also ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns.

Issaquah had a similar experience. The Eagles were able to contain Henry for most of the game but were picked apart by McDonagh.

“Skyview has athletes and great skill guys. Henry is a big, physical runner. If you don’t dedicate enough people to stop him, he will hurt you. Their quarterback did a nice job against us. He found the open receivers,” Bennett said. “It’s kind of pick your poison when you play Skyview.”

The Storm also has one of the largest offensive lines in the state. Among the big guys up front are Matt Cruz, 6-foot-2, 280 pounds; Zach Wallace, 6-4, 305; and Dylan Bratlie, 6-5, 285.

“They were the best-looking team we’ve seen in warm-ups this year,” Bennett said. “Their linemen are big, but not the quickest. However, Skyview has a lot of weight and beef coming at you. They are a tough matchup for people.”

Bennett was also impressed with Skyview’s defense. In the game with Lake Stevens, the Storm had five sacks and forced three fumbles. Safety David Garlington had two interceptions.

“Their safeties are real good and real physical. Skyview has a lot of talent in its back seven,” Bennett said.

Although impressed with Skyview, Bennett said he likes Skyline’s chances in the title game.

“I think Skyline will have some great chances to put up points against Skyview,” Bennett said.

Bennett said he believes key players on offense for Skyline will be running back Damian Greene and quarterback Max Browne.

“Greene could be a huge factor. If he gets loose, he has the speed to go a long way,” Bennett said. “If Skyview commits too many people to the pass, it could really open the door for Greene to have a nice night running the football.”

Browne is having another sensational season, passing for 2,982 yards and 32 touchdowns.

“Just watching him the other night, he was so impressive,” Bennett said. “Browne has the ability to move around in the pocket and extend plays. He has great pocket presence. If teams don’t put pressure on him, he will pick them apart.

“He is a great leader and in a big game like this, he can really be a difference.”

Bob Taylor: 392-6434, ext. 236, or bobtaylor@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

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.

That has been the nature of the top-ranked Skyline High School girls soccer team. Not one of the Spartans care about the glory, just the result.

Now, the Spartans will raise another championship banner for the third time in four years.

Junior defender Lianna Simms, subbing for injured Jackie Wilson on the back line, notched a free-kick gem in the 22nd minute as top-ranked Skyline turned back fifth-ranked Bellarmine Prep, 1-0, in the Class 4A state championship match Nov. 19 at Sparks Stadium.

It was the fourth shutout in four state playoff games for Skyline, which outscored foes 5-0. The Spartans weathered an offensive push late from the Lions and posted the school’s first unbeaten season in school history.

“It’s just so good to be a part of this team,” said Simms, who was moved up from the junior varsity team midway through the season. “It feels so good to be state champs. We worked so hard for this goal.”

Simms provided a precision free kick from 18 yards on a tough angle to the right for a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. She used her left foot to sweep the ball directly into the upper far left corner of the net, the only place out of reach of Bellarmine Prep goalkeeper Kiley Adams.

“I saw the back side was wide open, and I like to hit it far,” Simms said. “So, I just aimed far bar and it went in.”

The win gave Skyline (18-0-2) its third state title. Bellarmine (17-3-1) made its eighth title-match appearance, having brought home top hardware in 2004, 2000, 1996, 1994 and 1987.

Skyline goalkeeper Tina Vargas posted her 11th shutout of the season. She made seven saves, including four in the final 10 minutes.

“Bellarmine Prep realized they needed a goal, so they started throwing a couple kitchen cabinets and a sink up there at the end,” said Skyline coach Don Braman, whose team was outshot 14-11, including 9-4 in the second half. “I really like the way the girls held under that storm.”

Bellarmine coach Joe Waters could only compliment Simms’ goal.

“It was a great strike,” he said. “When you’re beat by something like that you have no complaints.”

Skyline 2, Tahoma 0

Sophomore midfielder Brooke Bofto scored on a header in the 72nd minute off a corner kick from Sydne Tingey as Skyline stopped fourth-ranked Tahoma, 2-0, Nov. 18 in the semifinals.

Skyline, which lost senior central defender Wilson to an apparent broken lower leg in the second half, got a measure of revenge after losing 1-0 to Tahoma in last year’s semifinals.

“I’ll take that one,” Bofto said of the victory. “That was quite intense. One of my best friends, Jackie, went down and that’s all that was going through my mind. All I was thinking about was, ‘Do this for Jackie. Win this for Jackie.’

“I just went in there with my body,” she said of her header. “I don’t know if it was my head or my body that got it. Then, we just stuck everybody back (on defense).”

The physical contest featured 20 fouls, 15 on Tahoma, and four yellow cards.

Skyline midfielder Maddie Christ converted a penalty kick in the 80th minute for the final 2-0 margin after she was fouled in the penalty area.

The Bears were without their most important offensive player as junior midfielder Brie Hooks was attending an Olympic Development Program training event in Florida. Hooks led Tahoma in points with nine goals and 26 assists.

The game was characterized by hard fouls.

“There was a lot of contact,” Braman said. “I think our work rate helped us and the way the girls pulled together after Jackie went down. That’s a great example of the kind of quality they have as a team.”

The semifinal loss to Tahoma last year still stung for Skyline, Bofto said.

There was “a little bit of (bad blood) left over, I’d say,” said Bofto, whose team was ranked No. 1 in the nation last year when it was beaten by the Bears. “Last year, they scored early in the first half and we kind of controlled the game, but we couldn’t get a shot off. We had a lot more determination.

“I’ve never seen so many yellow cards in one game. I feel like it was minute after minute there was a foul or a card, but it’s on to tomorrow.”

Skyline was the more dangerous team in the scoreless first half with three close calls in a 20-minute span.

Wilson, who nearly converted a header in the 43rd minute off a free kick by Christ, left the game with her injury in the 50th minute. She and Tahoma’s Tori Tappero went after a 50-50 ball and kicked it simultaneously. Wilson was taken off the field after an eight-minute delay.

“Right now, our thoughts and prayers are with Jackie and we hope she heals quick,” Braman said of Wilson, who had played with a torn quadriceps muscle in her right leg. “It’s a lower leg, below the knee. They (trainers) are guessing fracture. It’s serious.”