With a top recruit in the nation who has thrown 41 touchdowns and a running back who’s rushed for almost 1,500 yards and 27 more scores, the Lake Stevens offense — which averages 49 points per game — has not had any problem putting points on the board this season.
Neither has the Vikings’ next opponent.
Skyline (11-1), ranked No. 7 in 4A, also boasts a high-powered offense that averages 41 points per game. And, like the Vikings, it’s a balanced attack, with senior quarterback Blake Gregory averaging 242 yards passing per game and the Spartans adding an average of 183 yards on the ground, led by Colorado State-bound senior Rashaad Boddie, who has 1,613 yards and 18 touchdowns.
“You look at balance between run and pass we’re very similar,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said. “Traditionally, when you think of Skyline, you think of throwing the ball. But we have a very dynamic running back in Rashaad. He does a great job for us. … Blake Gregory, he’s as good as I’ve coached. I’ve coached some good ones in Max Browne and Jake Heaps.”
The strength and pedigree of Skyline has not gone unnoticed by Lake Stevens head coach Tom Tri.
“They’re a good team,” Tri said. “They’re physical, they’re well-coached. There aren’t a lot of weaknesses there. They’ve got a good (offensive line), they’ve got speed at receiver, they’ve got a quarterback that can deliver the ball on time, their running back will be the best running back we’ve faced this year and their line up front is solid. They do a heck of a job.
“There’s a reason why they’re a perennial state powerhouse and why, every year, it seems like they’re playing in the Tacoma Dome.”
In comparison, it’s been four years since Lake Stevens has played in the Tacoma Dome. It will be the first game there for running back Andrew Grimes, quarterback Jacob Eason and the rest of the Vikings’ seniors.
“We’ll be pretty amped up and ready to go,” Eason said. “It should be fun.”
Another key for Skyline is turnovers. Skyline has a plus-28 turnover differential, with just eight turnovers on offense all season — including just four from the starting unit.
“We stress that a lot,” Taylor said. “We do a turnover and ball security circuit everyday.”
The Spartans won back-to-back state championships in 2011 and 2012 and beat Lake Stevens 42-0 in the first round of the state tournament in 2012.
“Skyline is a powerhouse,” Grimes said. “They have a really similar offense to us. They can huck the ball around. It’s going to be a really versatile offense to go against.”
Skyline vs. Lake Stevens
Where: Tacoma Dome
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday
Key Players: Skyline—Blake Gregory, sr., QB; Rashaad Boddie, sr., RB/DE; Danny Sinatro, sr., WR/DB; Logan Wanamaker, sr., WR/S; Jake Pendergast, sr., WR/DB.. Lake Stevens—Jacob Eason, sr., QB; Riley Krenz, sr., TE/FS; Andrew Grimes, sr., RB/DE; Sam Burke, sr., RB/LB; Hunter Eckstrom, jr., WR/DB; Michael Nelson, sr., T/DE; Lars Eklund, sr., T/DL; Asi Tupua, sr., RB/DE; Ian Schneider, sr., WR/DB.
Records: Skyline 11-1. Lake Stevens 12-0.
TV: ROOT Sports
Radio: KRKO 1380 AM
Twitter: @aaronlommers, @Krueger_David and @heraldnetpreps
Herald Pick: Lake Stevens
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