Sure, Jake Kennedy made some big plays, but it was the defense that stole the show Friday night for Skyview.
The Storm got contributions from all over its defense as Skyview shut out Jesuit of Beaverton, Ore., 28-0 to open at the season at Kiggins Bowl.
“We didn’t give up any points against a very good team that’s going to win a lot of games,” Skyview coach Steve Kizer said. “I’m just really pleased with how our kids played on defense.”
Jerrid Secor returned an interception 29 for a touchdown, Andrew Orioro recovered a fumble, Riley Artis had an interception and Alexander Sederstrom had two sacks against a Jesuit line that outsized the Storm.
“The key is speed,” Sederstrom said. “We have great speed. We didn’t have the size, but we have some really athletic dudes. And our coach had a great plan to use our speed to outspeed people.”
And the Storm also got out to a fast start on offense.
After Skyview got bottled up on its first two plays from scrimmage, setting up a third-and-10 from its own 23-yard line, Kennedy broke free on a 69-yard run. That set up Kennedy’s 7-yard touchdown run two plays later.
Kizer gave credited offensive coordinator Matt Hamlin with a key call, and Kennedy did the rest.
“It’s third-and-10 and you don’t expect for the quarterback to run the ball,” Kizer said. “Jake is one of the fastest kids around here. I thought that was kind of turning point.”
On Jesuit’s third offensive play, Secor caught a deflected pass and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, putting the Storm up 14-0 with 8:37 left in the first quarter.
After Skyview’s defense got another stop, thanks to a sack from Levi Webb, Trey Jacob’s 13-yard touchdown run put Skyview up 21-0 with 6:47 left in the first quarter.
“We scored 21 points in like the first six minutes,” Kizer said. “I love to start a game like that.”
The offense then scuffled a bit from there. But the way the defense played, it didn’t matter.
SKYVIEW 28, JESUIT 21
Jesuit 0 0 0 0—0
Skyview 21 0 0 7—28
First quarter
S — Jake Kennedy 7 run (Micah Robison kick)
S — Jerrid Secord 31 interception return (Robison kick)
S — Trey Jacob 13 run (Robison kick)
Fourth quarter
S — Kennedy 56 run (Robison kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Jesuit: Lonnie Burt 15-92, Trey Cleeland 13-31, Julius Christensen 1-10, Jace Burton 1-6, Rowan Lewis 1-5, Jacob Hutchinson 2-(-7). Skyview: Jake Kennedy 10-132, Trey Jacobs 8-34, Eric Botnen 5-33, Levi Webb 1-(-3).
PASSING — Jesuit: Trey Cleeland 8-12-1-67; Jacob Hutchinson 1-8-1-13. Skyview: Jake Kennedy 10-18-0-120.
RECEIVING — Jesuit: Elias Johnson 2-41, Jace Burton 3-12, Grant Valley 1-13, Lonnie Burt 1-3, Matt Ellers 1-7, Joe Stimpson 1-4. Skyview: Trey Jacobs 3-83, Gavin Poffenroth 3-30, Cameron Crooks 1-7, Jerrid Secor 2-1, Riley Artis 1-(-1).
