The state quarterfinals of high school football were held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, with eight games across four divisions. KIRO 7 Sports was there to cover the action and bring you the highlights and interviews from some of the most exciting matchups.
Division 1: Bellevue beats Skyline in overtime thriller
In a rematch of the regular season finale, Bellevue and Skyline faced off in a nail-biting game that went to overtime. Bellevue had a 14-0 lead at halftime, but Skyline rallied in the second half and tied the game at 21-21 with a touchdown and a two-point conversion with less than a minute left in regulation. In overtime, Bellevue scored first on a 10-yard run by quarterback Jake Smith, but Skyline answered with a touchdown of their own by running back Tyler Jones. However, Skyline missed the extra point, giving Bellevue a 28-27 win and a spot in the semifinals.
Bellevue coach John Frazier praised his team’s resilience and execution in the clutch moments. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, they’re a great team and they have a lot of playmakers. We just had to stay focused and trust our game plan. I’m proud of our guys for making the big plays when it mattered most,” he said.
Skyline coach Matt Taylor was disappointed with the outcome, but proud of his team’s effort and comeback. “It’s a tough way to lose, but I can’t fault our kids for fighting till the end. They showed a lot of heart and character. We just came up a little short today, but I’m proud of what we accomplished this season,” he said.
Division 2: O’Dea cruises past Lakeside
O’Dea continued its dominant run in the playoffs with a 42-7 rout of Lakeside in the quarterfinals. O’Dea scored on its first six possessions, with four touchdowns by running back Jayden Scott and two by quarterback Ryan Atkinson. O’Dea’s defense was also stellar, holding Lakeside to just 127 yards of total offense and forcing three turnovers.
O’Dea coach Monte Kohler was pleased with his team’s performance and said they are ready for the next challenge. “We played well on both sides of the ball, we executed our game plan and we didn’t make any mistakes. We’re happy to advance to the semifinals, but we know we have to keep working hard and improving. We’re not satisfied yet,” he said.
Lakeside coach Aaron Maul was gracious in defeat and congratulated O’Dea on their win. “They’re a very good team, they have a lot of talent and experience. They outplayed us today, and we have to give them credit. We tried our best, but we couldn’t match their intensity and physicality. We had a good season, but we fell short of our goal,” he said.
Division 3: Eastside Catholic edges out Rainier Beach
In a close and competitive game, Eastside Catholic edged out Rainier Beach 24-21 in the quarterfinals. Eastside Catholic took a 17-7 lead in the third quarter, but Rainier Beach scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to take a 21-17 lead with less than three minutes left. Eastside Catholic responded with a 75-yard drive, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Luke Huard to wide receiver Jalen Dixon with 1:12 remaining. Rainier Beach had a chance to tie or win the game, but Eastside Catholic’s defense held them on downs and secured the victory.
Eastside Catholic coach Dominic Daste was relieved and happy with his team’s comeback and said they showed a lot of poise and determination. “It was a tough game, they’re a very good team and they gave us a run for our money. We had to dig deep and find a way to win. I’m proud of our team for staying calm and making the plays when we needed them,” he said.
Rainier Beach coach Corey Sampson was heartbroken and frustrated with his team’s loss and said they let the game slip away. “It’s a tough pill to swallow, we had the game in our hands and we let it go. We made some mistakes and we didn’t finish. We played hard, but we didn’t play smart. We had a great season, but we didn’t achieve our ultimate goal,” he said.
Division 4: Royal routs Cascade Christian
Royal extended its winning streak to 54 games with a 49-14 rout of Cascade Christian in the quarterfinals. Royal scored on its first seven possessions, with five touchdowns by quarterback Sawyer Jenks and two by running back Alonso Hernandez. Royal’s defense was also dominant, holding Cascade Christian to just 168 yards of total offense and forcing four turnovers.
Royal coach Wiley Allred was impressed with his team’s performance and said they are playing at a high level. “We played a great game, we were sharp and efficient on offense and we were aggressive and opportunistic on defense. We’re playing with a lot of confidence and momentum. We’re excited to be in the semifinals, but we know we have to keep working hard and getting better. We’re not taking anything for granted,” he said.
Cascade Christian coach Randy Davis was humbled and overwhelmed by his team’s loss and said they were outmatched by Royal. “They’re a phenomenal team, they have a lot of talent and depth. They played a flawless game, and we couldn’t stop them or score on them. We tried our best, but we were overpowered and outclassed. We had a good season, but we ran into a buzzsaw today,” he said.
