Skyview’s rally falls short in 42-28 loss to Graham-Kapowsin in 4A football playoff

SPANAWAY — Down three scores in the second half, Skyview coach Steve Kizer thought maybe his Storm had a familiar miracle in them on Saturday against Graham-Kapowsin.

“We thought maybe we could do what Camas did to us,” Kizer said, referring to Camas’ late comeback in Skyview’s previous loss. “We were close. It looked like it was going to happen there for a while.”

Despite a huge game from receiver Gavin Packer, the Storm could not quite mount a rally against Graham-Kapowsin, falling 42-28 in a Class 4A first-round game at Art Crate Field.

“Pack was awesome,” Kizer said. “We were passing the ball really well until that last series.”

Packer caught 14 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but that wasn’t enough as the Storm could never cut their deficit to one score.

But like Kizer said, it looked close for a while.

Skyview did not have an answer for the Eagles offense in the first half, as Graham-Kapowsin produced touchdowns on its first four possessions to go up 28-7 in the second quarter.

Skyview got within 28-14 by halftime, scoring on touchdown passes from Jake Kennedy to Packer.

A failed fourth-down conversion in the third quarter by Skyview helped Graham-Kapowsin go up 35-14.

Levi Webb’s touchdown early in the fourth quarter to Skyview within 35-21. And the Storm looked to make it closer after stopping the Eagles on downs on their next possession.

But Vinicio Hansen stepped in front of pass in the flat and raced 81 yards for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 42-21 lead.

Still, the Storm weren’t done. They quickly scored a touchdown of their own with 5:02 to go, then recovered the ensuing onside kick – by Packer, of course.

But the Eagles defense produced four consecutive sacks to end Skyview’s comeback hopes.

“They’re a physical team,” Kizer said. “They won 14 games last year. They looked like that again now. They run the ball. You do everything you can to stop the run, and the quarterback can throw it well enough to keep you honest. They’re a great team.”

Skyview (8-3) is a relatively young team, which gives Kizer hope for 2023.

But he wishes 2022 could have lasted a bit longer.

“There was no quit in our guys,” he said. “I’m just really proud of these guys. It’s a great group of kids, and I’m sorry we can’t play another week.”

GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN 42, SKYVIEW 28

Skyview                0              14           0              14—28

G-K        0              28           7              7—42

Second quarter

GK—Jabez Woods 8 run (Kolby White-Gibson kick)

S — Gavin Packer 66 pass from Jake Kennedy (Jimmy Garduno kick)

GK — Demitrius Taape 1 run (White-Gibson kick)

GK — Spencer Bonter 1 pass from Daveon Superales (White-Gibson kick)

GK — Jalen Davenport 2 run (White-Gibson kick)

S — Packer 37 pass from Kennedy (Garduno kick)

Third quarter

GK —Michael Toa 5 run (White-Gibson kick)

Fourth quarter

S — Levi Webb 4 run (Garduno kick)

GK — Vinicio Hansen 81 interception return (White-Gibson kick)

S — Jonathan Stromberg 16 pass from Kennedy (Garduno kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Skyview: Trey Jacob 11-38, Jake Kennedy 18-25, Riley Artis 1-0, Levi Webb 3-8, team 1-(-16). Graham-Kapowsin: Jalen Davenport 8-41, Khalil Yarbo 6-19, Daveon Superales 5-49, Demitrius Taape 4-9, Michael Toa 7-39, Jabez Woods 1-8, team 2-(-4).

PASSING — Skyview: Jake Kennedy 20-28-1-337. Graham-Kapowsin: Daveon Superales 15-17-0-181.

RECEIVING — Skyview: Gavin Packer 14-272, Trey Jacob 1-4, Jonathan Stromberg 3-16, Gavin Poffenroth 1-(-1), Riley Artis 1-46. Graham-Kapowsin: Jabez Woods 7-79, Mika Roberson 2-22, Khristian Norris 1-19, Spencer Bonter 4-33, Demitrius Taape 1-28.