The Skyline Spartans Football team faced the Woodinville Falcons in a thrilling matchup at the Homecoming game on Friday, October 18. In the dying seconds of the game, Skyline converted a touchdown and a two-point conversion to edge past Woodinville, winning the intense neck and neck game.
The Homecoming football game is always the season’s most anticipated. Prior to the game, students participated in a fantastic tailgate featuring Skyline’s plethora of clubs, several senior night events, and Skyline’s Vocal Jazz’s harmonious rendition of our national anthem. During the game, we celebrated Skyline Dance Team’s head coach Lauren Baumann after her induction into The Washington State Dance Coaches Hall of Fame. Skyline’s student section turned up during the game, looking as white as snow in the stands and as loud as a herd of braying elk during mating season. During gametime, everyone’s focus was on the field.
Skyline’s lead looked comfortable into the first quarter as an interception on the opening drive seemingly set the tone. Woodinville’s offense seemed befuddled and was unable to pick through Skyline’s defense. On the other hand, Skyline’s throwing and run game was on fire, scoring a touchdown on the opening drive and converting the instrumental two-point conversion at the end. Skyline had a 15-point lead after another interception, and victory seemed imminent. Then, tragedy struck. Superstar senior quarterback Mason Pirello was injured, disabling Skyline’s throwing game. Over text, junior linebacker and running back Colin Shamp describes “the main challenge [as] Mason [getting] injured and us having to figure out a new game plan on the spot.”
Woodinville took advantage of Skyline’s missing momentum and threw two rapid touchdowns, leveling the game then took the lead, 22-15 coming into the fourth quarter. The Woodinville student section was active, hyping up the Falcons to take the win with their jumping antics and unoriginal, but loud chants. Skyline was virtually running the ball on every single play with running back and superstar senior Josh Menold. He broke through on a carry to tie the game up on a miraculous touchdown run. Never mind. Flag on the play. Skyline punts.
It seemed all hope was lost; there were less than five minutes left on the clock and Woodinville had the ball, ready to put the game away. Fortunately, Skyline’s defense clutched up and stopped Woodinville on the beginning of their drive, forcing an expedited three-and-out. Woodinville punted to Skyline with less than three minutes in the game. Starting on the 25-yard-line, after a few unexpected throws, massive running gains, and a fourth-down conversion, Skyline was back in the red zone. Both student sections were ramped up. Skyline handed the ball off to Menold, who broke through the defense and got Skyline the six points, the score then 21-22. Skyline had two options: kick the extra point or run a two-point conversion attempt, which is by far riskier. One final run by Menold broke through Woodinville’s defensive line. Woodinville attempted one last hail Mary, but their QB is not Aaron Rodgers. Game over, Skyline for the win, 23-22.
You couldn’t really have asked for more as a Skyline Spartan.
