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Skyview is feeling right at home in playoffs

By Paul Valencia, Columbian High School Sports Reporter
Published: November 20, 2009, 12:00am

Tonight’s game is Storm’s third straight at Kiggins Bowl

The Skyview football team, because of a scheduling quirk, had three regular-season home games this season.

No big deal. The Storm remedied that situation by earning three more with their performance.

The Storm (9-2) host Auburn (11-0) tonight at Kiggins Bowl in the Class 4A state quarterfinals. The bracket was kind to Skyview this season, a home game in the state preliminary round followed by two home games in the state playoffs.

“This is the place where we all grew up playing, back when it had Astro Turf. It’s fun being back here for one more week,” said Skyview quarterback Austin Dodge, who added that Kiggins Bowl is like their “second home.”

“I love playing here,” defensive lineman Dallin Shirley said. “Having the opportunity to have three extra games at Kiggins Bowl has been really nice. I have a great feeling playing at home.”

This is Skyview’s second trip to the quarterfinals in school history.

“It’s awesome. This is like a do-over for the ‘06 team,” Skyview coach Steve Kizer said, referring to that first Storm squad to reach the elite eight. “Except we get to play at home.”

The 2009 Storm would love to be the first from the school to make it to the semifinals, even if it means a long road trip next week. The winner of tonight’s game will play in Yakima or Spokane in the semis.

That might be too much for Auburn and Skyview to think about right now. The focus is on the quarterfinals.

Auburn coach Gordon Elliott knows all about Kiggins Bowl and Clark County, too. He spent three years with Camas in the 1980s before becoming the head coach at Columbia River for eight years.

“I’ve coached a lot of games at Kiggins,” he said.

Auburn has the edge with playoff experience. The Trojans have been to this round two years in a row and three of the past four.

“All the kids in our program are used to being in the playoffs,” Elliott said. “We have to travel a little bit, and that’s always an interesting deal. That will be a challenge for us.”

The challenge for both teams will be stopping each other’s offense. Auburn runs, runs, and runs some more. Skyview has a more balanced attack and is led by Dodge’s passing.

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Three Trojans have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season, although one is no longer with the team. Chris Young, who has announced he will sign with the University of Washington, rushed for more than 1,400 yards and scored 27 touchdowns before he violated the school’s athletic code. In his absence, Austin Embody and Alphonse Wade combined for 368 yards and six touchdowns in the state preliminary round.

“They run a double-wing, and 90 percent of it is fly motion,” Kizer said. “We better stop the run. They know it. And they know we know it. They don’t care. They tell you where they’re running and dare you to stop it.”

Kizer also said the Trojans are physical. The talented running backs would not be able to get so many yards without strong play from up front.

“They’re huge. They look like Auburn University,” Kizer said.

But Shirley, the 4A Greater St. Helens League’s defensive player of the year, said the Storm can slow down Auburn’s attack.

“Pretty much just do your job. Everyone has an individual job. If everyone does their job, it all works out,” he said. “The coaches have a plan for every player to stop their offense. If you do it, it works.”

The Storm have another goal in mind, too. They did not get many home games at first, but they managed to earn more. And they have not lost in the bowl this season.

“We want to go 6-0 at Kiggins,” Kizer said.

If that happens, the Storm can start making travel plans.

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Columbian High School Sports Reporter