Skyline has a reputation for having one of the most prolific high school offenses in the country. But opponents be warned — the defense is quickly earning a reputation of its own.
The Spartans, who had five shutouts in 2008, started the 2009 campaign on the same path, blanking Oregon’s No. 1 ranked team, Jesuit, 17-0 at Qwest Field. Saturday’s win marked the third straight season Skyline has shut out an opponent in its season-opener.
“We take a lot of pride in that,” senior middle linebacker Anthony DeMatteo said. “We’re working for those shutouts all the time. It’s all about keeping the goose egg.”
Skyline’s swarming defense pressured Jesuit’s offense early and often, forcing the Crusaders into six first-half punts.
“I thought defensively they just did a tremendous job of flying to the football and taking away the things we like to do,” Jesuit head coach Ken Potter said.
While the Skyline defense was clicking on all cylinders, the offense started slow.
“I don’t know if it was jitters, I just think it was almost too much excitement,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said.
After turning the ball over on downs, then punting, the Spartans got their offense rolling in the second quarter. Senior running back Nick Washburn broke two big runs of 18 and 31 yards. Two plays later, Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps broke free of pressure, and lobbed a perfect ball to 6-foot-4, tight end Cooper Pelluer for a 6-yard touchdown. Heaps was being pulled to the ground as he wobbled the ball to Pelleur.
“I was just rolling out and got pressure and I got spun around the first time,” Heaps said. “Luckily, I saw the hand open up in the end zone and I just tried to get it in there and he made a great play.”
The play caused a little concern for Taylor, but it was quickly erased.
“As a coach, it went from ‘What is he doing’ to ‘OK, that works,'” he said, laughing.
Skyline added on to its lead on its second possession of the second half when Heaps rolled out to his right and found wide receiver Jordan Simone open for a 3-yard TD with 6:45 left in the third quarter.
Kicker Sean Penberthy tacked on an insurance score with 1:22 left in the third, drilling a 25-yard field goal through the uprights.
Skyline’s defense continued its dominance in the second half, forcing three more punts and two turnovers on downs. For the game, the Spartans allowed just 15 rushing yards, and 157 passing yards. Jesuit quarterback Jeff Elorriga was held to just 17 yards through the air in the second half.
“As a team, I think coach (Steve) Chmiel, the new defensive coordinator, does a great job of getting these guys … to play hard defense every single game,” Heaps said. “As an offensive player, you just get so excited about that because if you make mistakes they’re going to have your back.”
Skyline ended the game with 250 yards of total offense. The BYU-bound Heaps completed 17 of his 33 attempts for 149 yards and two TDs. Nick Washburn had 71 of the team’s 101 rushing yards.
The Spartans, still ranked No. 9 by ESPN RISE as of press time, face Ballard (0-1) at 7:45 p.m., Thursday at Seattle’s Memorial Stadium. They have a week off before the highly anticipated Sept. 18 matchup with the No. 6 team in the nation, Oaks Christian. The game, which begins at 7 p.m. at SHS is sold out to the general public. It can be viewed live on ESPNU, or heard on 950 KJR.
