Over the last two state-title seasons, Skyline has grown accustomed to playing early round playoff games at home.

This year, though, things are different. After a preliminary round game on their home field, the Spartans head to Mount Tahoma on Saturday to take on South Kitsap.

"It's great actually," Skyline coach Mat Taylor said of the road trip. "It's something that is different. These kids are used to having home games in the playoffs as long as you can. I think it's a new focus for this group of kids. It's brought out a work ethic this last couple of weeks that we haven't seen. We're looking forward to it."

I asked Taylor to break down the undefeated, sixth-ranked Wolves and here is what he had to say:

"They're just very, very talented and do exactly what their coaches ask them to do. Offensively, they run the I-formation. They try some things out. They're very creative in what they do, and mix their run and pass very, very well. Defensively, they're just sound. Their guys drop to their zones very well and their safeties are good."

Last week the team's theme was all about getting to 1-0 and earning a road trip. The Spartans got what they were looking for and now they must slow down an attack that averaged more than 30 points per game through the first 10 weeks.

"The kids are excited to play another week, excited about the opportunity to play South Kitsap," Taylor said.

Home sweet home for Bothell

While the Spartans are looking forward to road trip, Bothell is content to play at Pop Keeney a little longer.

"It's absolutely wonderful," Cougars coach Tom Bainter said. "There's no place like home. I think somebody said that once in a movie. It's really true at Pop Keeney. The crowd support is wonderful. Our student body comes out full force. Our community is there. There's no track. You're right on top of the action. It's just a great place to play."

Like Taylor, I asked Bainter to break down Rogers (Puyallup), the Blue Train's opponent this Friday:

"They've got a left-handed quarterback who is pretty talented in (Dalton) Gervais, a kid who transferred from Lakes High School. They've got Frosty Westering's grandson (Kellen Westering), who is one of their best receivers. They run some shotgun, read-option stuff. They throw the ball a lot. They run a stacked 3-3 on defense and then go to a 4-3 as well. They're pretty sound."

Bellevue continues to get healthy

There will be an update on the condition of Bellevue running back David Nguyen in Thursday's high-school football notebook. The news is positive.

As the Wolverines prepare for Friday's game against Mount Si, they seem to be getting closer to the roster they expected to have at the beginning of the season.

"We need to try to get our guys back and try to make a run at this thing," Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff said. "That’s what we’re trying to do. I think we’re slowly getting better."