Skyline advances to quarterfinals after 33–20 win over Camas
On November 15, the Skyline Spartans defeated the Camas Papermakers, 33-20, to claim a first-round, Class 4A state playoff game victory.
On their opening drive, the Spartans took the lead when quarterback Ben Odom found Bupe Chisanga on a long bomb. Chisanga pulled it in and held on for the game’s first touchdown and a 7–0 early lead.
Less than a minute later, a Camas fumble rolled toward the end zone, and the Spartans took advantage of an unexpected opportunity. Defender Seyler Jones sprinted ahead of two Papermakers to secure another Skyline touchdown, giving the Spartans a comfortable 14-0 advantage.
With the pressure on, Camas needed to score before the end of the quarter to remain competitive. Brody Parker powered through Skyline’s interior defense for a hard-earned touchdown for the Papermakers, cutting the lead to 14–7.
Skyline fought back in the second quarter when Odom connected with Chisanga again for his second touchdown in the half and a third Spartan touchdown in the game, and a 20-7 lead. A blocked kick meant the extra point was no good.
The Papermakers regrouped and answered immediately. It was game on when quarterback Benjamin Druckman found Luke Parbon in the back corner of the end zone, closing the gap, 20–14.
Despite the back-and-forth, the Spartans were not deterred. This time, Skyline running back Luke Morgan powered into the end zone after a handoff from Odom to make the score 26-14. To make up for the blocked field goal, the Spartans attempted a two-point conversion, only to be thwarted by the Papermakers as the first half came to an end.
Half-time allowed both teams a chance to revitalize. With the break, the two defenses held, and neither team found the end zone in the third quarter, leaving the score 26-14.
The final quarter would determine whether Skyline maintained its lead or let Camas get back into the game. Contributing to the gap, Colin Shamp demonstrated a steady Spartan drive by powering across the goal line to stretch the lead to 33–14.
The Papermakers needed a lucky break to win but kept fighting. A connection from Gavin Sheffield to Parker Baker added another six for the Camas, but a failed two-point conversion left them trailing, 33–20, with little time on the clock.
Skyline’s defense closed out the remaining minutes without giving up another significant play and secured a 33-20 victory and a spot in the quarterfinals.
The Skyline Spartans will play the Puyallup Vikings on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Sparks Stadium in Puyallup.
