Prep Football | 4A: Skyline wins third straight championship, 45-21 over Ferris

TACOMA — Jake Heaps passed the torch.

When Max Browne trotted onto the field to take the final few snaps in Skyline's 45-21 victory in the Class 4A football state-title game Saturday night, the senior wrapped the freshman in a bear hug.

"This is your team now," Heaps told his protégé. "Enjoy the moment, you're going to be back here."

After winning three straight state titles and amassing a 40-2 record as a starter, there is little left for the BYU-bound signal caller to accomplish at this level.

The Spartans made a conscious decision to keep the ball on the ground for large chunks of the game, but it was Heaps who made the big throws at opportune moments to seal the victory.

"I've never been so proud to coach a team," Skyline coach Mat Taylor said.

Heaps capped his high-school career by completing 15 of 25 passes for 254 yards and a 4A title-game record four touchdowns.

Three of those touchdown tosses went to Kasen Williams, setting another title-game record.

"Me and Jake have been riding out since freshman year," said Williams, a junior who caught eight passes for 89 yards. "I don't want it to end, but we're going out with a bang."

After hearing for weeks that most people thought the best playoff matchup would be between KingCo rivals Bothell and Skyline in the semifinals, Ferris came out fighting. The Saxons (10-4) needed to win a three-way playoff just get into the postseason, but they kept things interesting early.

They scored on their first drive.

On fourth-and-7 from their 47, Ferris executed a fake punt and Gage Orosco picked up 22 yards. That set up a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Halliday to Jason Bates later in the drive.

The Spartans (12-2) didn't trail for long. They answered with three straight touchdown drives, capped by a 15-yard pass from Heaps to Williams, Nick Washburn's 5-yard run out of the Wildcat and a 15-yard slant from Heaps to Williams.

"They're just better than us, especially up front," Ferris coach Jim Sharkey said. "Their offensive and defensive lines, their team speed on defense. They're a really special group."

Ferris kept battling behind Connor Halliday's right arm. The senior completed 26 of 44 for 254 yards and three TDs with two picks.

But whenever the Saxons seemed to get something going, Heaps made a play, putting the game away with a pair of second-half touchdown passes.

As the final seconds ticked off, the Spartans' student section started chanting, "Thank you, Jake Heaps. Thank, you Jake Heaps."

He jogged off the field with both index fingers pointing toward the Tacoma Dome roof. After the game, the trophy quickly found its way into his hands and he held it high as he ran down the sideline to greet the fans.

"So many people are just lucky to win one," Heaps said. "To win three, it's unbelievable."

Skyline — Kasen Williams 15 pass from Jake Heaps (Sean Penberthy kick)

Skyline — Nick Washburn 5 run (Penberthy kick)

Skyline — Williams 15 pass from Heaps (Penberthy kick)

Ferris — Bates 11 pass from Halliday (Belling kick)

Skyline — Penberthy 36 FG

Skyline — Williams 26 pass from Heaps (Penberthy kick)

Ferris — Jordan Tonani 1 pass from Halliday (Belling kick)

Skyline — Connor Brandt 15 pass from Heaps (Penberthy kick)

Skyline — Heaps 1 run (Penberthy kick)

Rushing — Ferris, Gage Orosco 13-38, Jordan Tonani 1-(minus 5), Connor Halliday 3-(minus 26). Skyline, Nick Beauchamp 18-115, Nick Washburn 12-61, Jake Heaps 4-13, Kasen Williams 1-2, Max Browne 2-(minus 2), team 1-3.

Passing — Ferris, Connor Halliday 26-44-2-254, Jordan Tonani 0-1-1-0. Skyline, Jake Heaps 15-25-0-254.

Receiving — Ferris, Jordan Tonani 8-118, Jason Bates 8-88, Beau Bozett 8-44, Gage Orosco 2-4. Skyline, Kasen Williams 8-89, Connor Brandt 4-70, Cooper Pelluer 1-66, Tait Stephens 1-25, Michael Ford 1-4.