Skyline advances to semis using dominant defensive second half to down Twin Falls
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POCATELLO — It wasn’t pretty offensively for No. 1-seed Skyline. Quarterback CarMyne Garcia missed several open receivers, the offensive line suffered lapses allowing quick pressure, even the returners mishandled kicks lengthening the field.
It hasn’t been called on to do so often this season, but it was the Grizzlies defense that turned a 21-14 first-half lead into a 35-14 victory over the eight-seeded Twin Falls Bruins Saturday at Idaho State University’s ICCU Dome.
Head coach Scott Berger was clear that his team winning an ugly game means the same as winning behind a potent offense, as it has done numerous times this season.
“We got the job done, and at this time of year that’s the bottom line: win and move on, find a way to get it done some how, some way,” he said.
Berger went on to add that people often talk about how tough a team is, or how efficient it is in its effort. He doesn’t care about that, he said, for him, it’s about scoring more points than you allow — “That’s what it’s all about. It doesn’t matter if it’s 50-49 or 2-0, let’s get it done.”
The Skyline defense stormed the Bruins offense in the second half, led by defensive end Kaesen Smith, who recorded four sacks and countless pressures. Two of his pressures resulted in interceptions, including one taken by linebacker Bennet Southwick to the house for a dagger pick-six with just over two minutes remaining.
“Kaesen’s just a leader,” Berger said of the senior. “He’s been a four-year starter for us. He realizes that the clock is ticking right now — now’s the time to lay it all on the line.”
Berger stopped speaking as his emotions began to get the better of him. Asked what it was about this team winning this game that made him so proud, the longtime coach was succinct in his response:
“Without this win, there’s not a next one,” he said.
The final punch thrown by the Skyline defense, Southwick’s score, was capped by a celebration that has become a trend in college and NFL football — the headstand “celly.” Several Grizz players either did or attempted a headstand in the endzone, leading to a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty.
The headstand celebration has made its way to Idaho High School football. Skyline seals the state semis win on a pick-six and celebrates with an attempted synchronized headstand.
Grizz win, 35-14.#idpreps @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/HkUIeEm2Tl— Kalama Hines (@HINESight_2020) November 10, 2024
Despite its struggles, the Skyline offense finished with plenty to be proud of.
While he did miss several open deep balls, which likely would have resulted in scores, while throwing an interception and taking three sacks, Garcia was effective. The senior completed 14 of 20 pass attempts for 159 yards and two scores.
Forty-one of those passing yards came on a screen pass to senior wideout Trey Kirkham, who got one block outside and hit the burners for the house call.
And for those misses, Garcia dropped a perfect fade over Zyan Crockett’s outside shoulder for an 11-yard score in the closing minutes of the first half.
Crockett finished the game with seven catches for 71 yards and one score, adding 38 yards and two more scores on nine carries.
Berger said that his two offensive weapons — Kirkham and Crockett — have been great all season, but have found a way to improve their play as the season has gone on.
That, he said, has been the focus of the team, since camp opened in July — to maintain focus for five months, and steadily improve.
“We’re always talking about, this is where we want to be, this is where we want to get to,” Berger said. “The No. 1 goal of the program is, get better every day.”
Crockett’s fantastic grab in the back of the endzone gave Skyline a 21-7 lead with just over two minutes left in the first half.
Led by junior quarterback Ty Hess, the Bruins answered right back to take momentum into the break.
Hess drove his team 70 yards, connecting on a 29-yard deep ball on the sideline to put Twin Falls on the doorstep of the endzone with two seconds remaining. Rather than attempting a field goal though, the Bruins gave Hess the ball on the final play of the second quarter, and he hit Sam Martin with a perfect back shoulder throw in the corner of the endzone for a massive touchdown.
Twin had all the momentum heading into the third quarter following the impressive drive, but it was zapped by the Smith and the defense, who relentlessly attacked the Bruin QB.
Hess finished the game completing 12 of 26 passes for 120 yards and one score — to go with the two picks. Including five sacks, he rushed for 19 yards on 12 carries.
With the win, Skyline earned a semifinal date with Minico, who beat Bishop Kelly, 41-35 in triple-overtime Friday night.
Berger admitted that he will need to watch some game film on the Spartans before Monday practice. One thing he does know though, is that running back Preston Cranney-Sonner is a potential problem.
“From what I’ve heard, they’ve got a great running back,” Berger said. … “We’re going to have to make sure we’re good tacklers and we’ve got to get some stops when we need to — that’s the key.”
According to rumors that have reaching Idaho Falls and Skyline High School, Cranney-Sonner carried the ball on his team’s last 15 plays, leading to the upset victory over the reigning champion Knights.
A date, time and location for that game has yet to be determined.