Skyview advances to 4A quarterfinals; Camas falls to Mount Si

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The Skyview Storm got refocused a few weeks ago after the only loss of the season.

That loss ended their hopes of a league championship.

It did not, however, end the hopes of the ultimate goal this football season.

Saturday, the Skyview Storm certainly looked like state championship contenders. The Storm raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 42-7 victory over Skyline at Kiggins Bowl in the opening round of the Class 4A state football playoffs.

A few hours later, the team that Skyview lost to a few weeks back – the Camas Papermakers – struggled all night and lost its opening round state playoff match, falling to Mount Si 31-14.

Up north, the Seton Catholic Cougars, in their first ever appearance in the state football playoffs, took down King’s 56-48 to advance to the Class 1A quarterfinals.

In all, seven teams from Clark County (including Woodland), entered the state football playoffs this weekend, and two advanced.

La Center (1A) and Washougal (2A) lost on Friday night. Woodland (2A) and Mountain View (3A) lost Saturday prior to Camas’ loss on Saturday night.

For Skyview, there was very little drama.

Gavin Packer caught three touchdown passes from Jake Kennedy, and Jerrid Secor had an interception return for a touchdown, giving Skyview a 28-0 lead in the first half. Skyview added a couple of touchdowns in the second half to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016.

Skyview, the 5-seed in these playoffs, improved to 10-1 and will travel to No. 4 Eastlake next week.

“We just had to show we were ready for this,” Packer said. “Everyone stepped up. Everyone played really well.”

Skyview coach Steve Kizer described the first half as “unbelievable.”

Of course, he believed Skyview could have the lead and win the game, but he was impressed with the total dominance of the Storm. His squad is on a mission. Skyline (7-4) had not given up more than 30 points in a game all season, and the Storm put 28 up in a half.

The Storm say the loss to Camas in Week 7 has ignited this latest run.

“We were kind of shell-shocked, like, ‘Hey, we can be beat.’” Packer said. 

Since then, the Storm have won their past four games by a combined score of 174-38. 

“If we play how we’ve been playing, then we’re not going to get beat,” Packer said.

“We basically got back to work,” Kizer said. “We’re lifting weights at 6:30 in the morning and we’re getting done at 6 at night. We’re just outworking everybody. I think that’s why we’re getting better every week.”

Kennedy threw four touchdown passes Saturday, including one to Riley Artis. Rex Allinger also had a touchdown for the Storm.

This was Skyview’s final home game of the season. The Storm are on the road for the quarterfinals, and will be again in the semifinals should they advance.

Packer said he wants all of the Skyview fans who were present Saturday to hit the road with the Storm for the next few weeks.

“Hopefully, (this performance) makes them want to come to our next couple of games, and then to Husky Stadium at the end of the year.”

That would be state championship weekend. 

The refocused Skyview Storm believe they can be there.

Mount Si 31, Camas 14

It was a shocking beginning for the home team and their fans.

A shocking middle, as well.

Yep, the end, too.

Mount Si, the 14-seed in the Class 4A state football playoffs, never trailed Saturday night, taking down No. 3 Camas at Doc Harris Stadium.

The Wildcats got an interception on the first Camas drive of the game, and capitalized with a  touchdown. 

Mount Si forced a fumble on the next Camas drive. Mount Si found the end zone again for a quick 14-0 lead. 

Early in the second quarter, it was a blocked punt recovered in the end zone for a touchdown and a 21-0 advantage.

Mount Si would go up 31-0 before Camas got on the board late in the third quarter. Trenton Swanson caught a 64-yard touchdown pass from Jake Davidson. Camas would get a late touchdown in the fourth quarter, too.

“There is no one I’d rather represent for these four years,” Swanson said of wearing the Camas uniform, playing for this community. “These last two have been really special. The leadership role that I’ve been able to take over has been a blessing for me. I love being able to lead this team, and I’m just sad it had to come to an end.”

Swanson, a senior, said he expects Camas to reload and be ready for 2024.

“The next wave, they know what to do,” Swanson said. “We’re a next-man-up type team. We’ll be fine. Guys will be fine, fill in roles, and they’ll be great next year.”

Even in defeat, Swanson can appreciate all that this squad did this season. The Papermakers went 9-2 and won the 4A Greater St. Helens League title. 

“I’m proud of our guys. Coming into this season, we were ranked in the 20s,” Swanson said, noting that the Papermakers were selected as the 3-seed after that impressive regular season. “We stepped up this season more than anyone expected us to so I’m really proud of our team.”

Seton Catholic 56, King’s 48

The Seton Catholic Cougars’ greatest season in program history will continue for at least another week.

The Cougars improved to 10-1 and won their first state playoff game, jumping out to a huge lead and then holding off King’s for a 56-48 victory in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs.

Seton Catholic, the 12-seed, will travel to face No. 4 Cashmere in the quarterfinals next week.

Also:

In other state football games involving area teams this weekend: 2A GSHL champion Woodland lost to Clarkston 44-6; 3A GSHL champion Mountain View fell to Kennewick 27-12; Trico League champion La Center lost to Omak 21-7 on Friday night; and Washougal fell to Orting 33-10 on Friday.