Skyview gives Kizer 100th career victory in win over BG

BATTLE GROUND — Jalynnee McGee left little doubt.

Actually, make that no doubt.

Whether it was his run of 14 yards on his first carry or his final run of 5 yards that went for a touchdown to cap Skyview’s 11-play, 65-yard opening drive Thursday night, the Storm’s sophomore tailback let his shifty play speak for itself. The shoulder is A-OK.

To confirm, he even said so postgame after rushing for 59 yards in limited action in the Storm’s 48-13 win over Battle Ground at District Stadium to keep pace in the 4A Greater St. Helens League playoff face.

It was all part of a complete team effort that helped coach Steve Kizer get his 100th career victory — all at Skyview.

Kizer called the milestone a big moment not for himself, but for his coaching staff and the hundreds of Storm players who have come through the program in his 14 seasons.

Seniors Jayden Chatman and Michael Lundgren pre-planned an ice-water shower over Kizer’s head if the Storm were to take care of business. The Storm successfully executed the plan inside a minute to go Thursday.

What makes Kizer such a special coach is his endless energy, Lundgren said, which makes it so easy to play for, he added.

“He deserved this and I’m happy as heck I could be a part of it,” Lundgren said.

Seven players accounted for Skyview’s touchdowns against the Tigers, including three by the Max Rose-to-Tavis Pinkney connection. The duo connected on touchdowns of 51, 39 and 20 yards. Pinkney finished with seven catches for 154 yards and Rose had a near-perfect night of completions: 12 of 13 for 225 yards.

McGee sat out the second half of last week’s 38-20 loss to Camas because of what Kizer described as a minor shoulder injury that occurred late in the first half.

Up until that point, McGee was on pace for a career-game, having 153 yards on 11 first-half carries and a touchdown.

“I was ready to make up for that half I missed,” McGee said.

He did just that, and this time, McGee’s services weren’t needed after the first series Thiraday. The Storm (4-3 overall, 1-1 4A GSHL) racked up 270 first-half yards, and scored touchdowns on six of their first seven possessions to grab a 42-0 lead by the 4-minute, 20-second mark of the third quarter. Dyvon Green’s 4-yard touchdown run was the fourth running back used by the Storm.

While McGee returned from injury, another one might be of concern next week when Skyview hosts Union for what’s likely to set up the 4A GSHL’s final playoff showdown.

Thursday, Skyview was without standout receiver Cole Grossman (elbow/tricep), who arrived at the stadium in a sling following an MRI. Kizer said he’s questionable to play against the Titans. Grossman missed two games earlier this season with a shoulder injury.

Both of Battle Ground’s fourth-quarter touchdowns came courtesy of its ground game, led by Brock Robinson’s 97 yards rushing on 20 carries. Robinson’s longest run of the night — 38 yards to end the third quarter — set up his 8-yard touchdown run to open the fourth.

SKYVIEW 48, BATTLE GROUND 13

Skyview 7 21 14 6—48

BG 0 0 0 13—13

First quarter

S — Jalynnee McGee 5 run (Wyatt Stallman kick)

Second quarter

S — Tavis Pinkney 51 pass from Max Rose (Stallman kick)

S — Angelo Sarchi 2 run (Stallman kick)

S — Pinkney 20 pass from Rose (Stallman kick)

Third quarter

S — Pinkney 39 pass from Max Rose (Stallman kick)

S — Dyvon Green 4 run (Stallman kick)

Fourth quarter

BG — Brock Robinson 8 run (kick good)

S — Cooper Barnum 24 pass from Matt Ioane (kick failed)

BG — Daniel Thompson 3 run (kick failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Skyview: Jalynnee McGee 7-59, Max Rose 4-35, Angelo Sarchi 3-17, Dyvon Green 6-55, Nick Stewart 2-8, Austin Holland 1-6, Matt Ioane 2-10; Battle Ground: Brock Robinson 20-97, Seth Workman 5-(minus-16), Trent Thompson 2-(minus-1), Daniel Thompson 3-30.

PASSING — Skyview: Max Rose 12-13-0-231; Matt Ioane 1-3-0-31; Battle Ground: Seth Workman 4-8-0-25.

RECEIVING — Skyview: Tavis Pinkney 7-154, Cooper Barnum 1-24, Jayden Chatman 1-1, Dyvon Green 2-42, Ahmani Williams 2-11, Luke Kizer 1-7, Carter Hill 1-23; Battle Ground: Jordan King-Gonzales 2-16; Brock Robinson 1-1; Sam Kee 1-10; Cody Niblack 1-6.