Skyline sculpted defensive end ready for start of 2014 season

Senior Riley Griffiths will pressure opposing quarterbacks, anchor the Spartans' offensive line

Skyline Spartans defensive end/offensive guard Riley Griffiths is one of the most imposing forces in the trenches in the KingCo 4A Division.

Griffiths, who stands 6 feet, 3 inches and 245 pounds, earned second team all-league honors as a junior on both sides of the ball. The senior team leader enjoys the culture of camaraderie exhibited by the Skyline football program. The Spartans won the Class 4A state title in 2012 and lost in the Class 4A quarterfinals to Federal Way last season. The Spartans also won state titles in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

“It is really about the brotherhood that we have together. It’s been something we as seniors have been part of for the past four years. We are all part of something bigger than ourselves,” Griffiths said.” We want to be the best possible team that we can be. We are striving for that in practice every single day. Everyone is putting out the most effort that we possibly can so we can hopefully take it to the top.”

Griffiths said he has an individual goal of making the all-state team on both sides of the ball.

“I have been talking to a couple of schools (colleges). I’m just focusing on the upcoming season and hopefully I will earn a football scholarship,” he said.

Recently the Issaquah Reporter had an opportunity to ask Griffiths a few questions about his life away from the football field.

 

Issaquah Reporter: What is your favorite restaurant on the plateau?

Riley Griffiths: It would have to be La Casita. I’m a huge Mexican food fan. They’ve got good nachos.

 

IR: What is your favorite movie of all time?

RG: I’m going to go with “Warrior.” I really liked how the two brothers came together at the end of the movie.

 

IR: How many text messages do you send per day?

RG: I usually send anywhere between 50 to 100 text messages per day.

 

IR: Who is your pick to win the Super Bowl in February of 2015?

RG: The San Francisco 49ers. They have been my team since I was little so I got to stick with them. They came close to winning it last year.

 

IR: Where do you see yourself in five years?

RG: Hopefully I’m playing college football and receiving a quality education.

 

IR: What is your biggest pet peeve?

RG: Having to go through airport security. It can get pretty annoying.

 

IR: If you could choose one person to go to dinner with, who would it be?

RG: JJ Watt (Houston Texans defensive end). He’s my favorite football player. We both play the same position. I would just love to talk to him about that.

 

Shaun Scott:

425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com