Storm running back rushed for six touchdowns, including four in the first half
VANCOUVER — It was his first playoff game. He made sure it would not be his last.
And he made a lasting impression, too.
Jalynnee McGee rushed for 224 yards and scored a school-record six touchdowns Friday night, leading Skyview to a 49-0 victory over Federal Way in a Class 4A state preliminary round playoff game at Kiggins Bowl.
The Storm (8-2) advanced to the 4A state playoffs, in the final 16. They will find out their seeding and their opponent Sunday when the WIAA’s seeding committee meets to fill out the brackets.
The Storm made a case for a top eight seed and another home game.
McGee made his case for Mr. Skyview.
“It was a fun night. The line, they had some amazing blocks, all game long,” McGee said. “A lot of times it was effortless because they were blocking so well. All game long, everything [was] well executed.”
McGee had rushed for 20 touchdowns through the first nine games, but he did not always get a lot of action. The Skyview coaches monitored his carries, his playing time, to ensure he would be ready for a playoff run.
“We kept him in the garage all year,” Skyview coach Steve Kizer said. “It was fun to get him running a little bit. He’s pretty electric.”
McGee scored on runs of 7 and 13 yards in the first quarter, then from a yard out and and a 70-yard beauty in the second quarter. He added touchdowns of 3 and 13 yards in the third quarter.
That made for a running clock.
He was not done running yet, but his coaches had seen enough. McGee tried to go back on the field for an attempt at a seventh touchdown, but the coaches called him back to the sideline.
Gabriel Martin got the final score for the Storm.
In all, the Storm rushed for 322 yards and seven touchdowns.
“It feels great. We always just trust our technique and we trust our play,” lineman Jake Miller said. “We did our jobs, and the running backs did the rest. They really helped us out. They make our job easy.”
Miller said the Storm figured they could get some consistent gains on Federal Way’s defense. Nothing like this, though.
“We didn’t expect to run all over them,” Miller said.
Skyview quarterback Yaro Duvalko was 9 for 11 for 176 yards. He was just fine with not having to pass a lot.
“He’s the best athlete on the field at all times,” Duvalko said of McGee. “I could play the rest of my career just handing it off, and I’d be so happy. He’s so dynamic. He works hard. He never complains. One of my best friends. I love him. He’s my brother.”
On McGee’s 70-yard touchdown run, he weaved in and around defenders and broke free down the right sideline. Duvalko, who had handed off the ball, was all the way down there trying to make the final block.
“That’s the best play I’ve made all year,” Duvalko said. “Better than any touchdown I’ve thrown.”
Hey, the defense got the job done, too.
Federal Way did have some decent drives, but the Storm refused to allow the Eagles into the end zone.
Early in the second quarter, the Eagles went for it on fourth-and-goal.
Micah Baylous got the sack for the Storm.
“If we all do our assignments, if all 11 guys do what they’re supposed to do, we’re going to get the job done,” Baylous said.
It was 14-0 at the time. The Eagles had a chance to make it 14-7. Instead, the Storm went 94 yards on their next drive to make it 21-0.
Now it’s all about staying undefeated every week, Baylous said.
The Storm might have finished second in the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League, but they still believe they are among the best in the state.
Now that they have made it to state, the Storm will get their chance to prove it.
With McGee rested and ready.
It’s go time.
In other Week 10 games: Camas pulled away from Olympia to win 48-13. It was a six-point game at the half. Camas, 10-0, will be among the top seeds in the 4A bracket.
Union plays Mount Rainier on Saturday.
In the 3A ranks, league-champion Prairie cruised to 73-35 win over Capital to advance to state.
Evergreen just missed pulling off a shocker in Seattle. Garfield held on to beat the Plainsmen 36-34.
In 2A, the Washougal Panthers, as the No. 3 seed, got the job done on the road, defeating W.F. West 28-7 to advance to state.
Tumwater ended Columbia River’s season 66-13.
Hockinson and Ridgefield play home games on Saturday.
In Class 1A, La Center improved to 9-0 with a 42-14 win over Elma to advance to state.
And Montesano took down King’s Way Christian 58-14.
The brackets and seeding for all classifications will be released Sunday.
SKYVIEW 49, FEDERAL WAY 0
Fed. Way 0 0 0 0 — 0
Skyview 14 14 14 7 — 49
First quarter
S — Jalynnee McGee 7 run (Sliman Farran kick)
S — McGee 13 run (Farran kick)
Second quarter
S — McGee 1 run (Farran kick)
S — McGee 70 run (Farran kick)
Third quarter
S — McGee 3 run (Farran kick)
S — McGee 13 run (Farran kick)I
Fourth quarter
S — Gabriel Martin 2 run (Farran kick)
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Skyview — McGee 20-224, Martin 13-98, Ahmani Williams 0-15.
PASSING: Skyview — Yaro Duvalko 9-11-0-176.
RECEIVING: Skyview — Mason Wheeler 7-98, Xavier Owens 1-55, Gavin Baskette 1-23.
