When we last left the Skyline Eagles, they were putting the finishing touches on a 12-1 prep football record and 4A state championship. The 1990 season started with the Skyline players shaving their heads and ended with a bulky line and experienced wishbone backfield producing a pile-on-the-points offense.
So what's new for 1991? How about this for a season-opener - Skyline 47, Mountain View 7."We were kinda curious to see how we would fare this year, what with a lot of new faces," said Eagle running back Matt Hansen, who added that Skyline's success was evidence of "the depth from the year before."
Yes, the Eagles return a good share of last year's defense, feature the same wishbone attack and sport the assorted shaved-look 'dos. Hansen, who wears a half-mohawk-looking triangular patch of hair on the back of his head, says the shearing "was just for unity - and to get rid of the girls."
If the Eagles were hoping to scare off the opposite sex with such dedication, they're also likely to scare off opposing teams. With much of the Aaron Hansen-anchored line graduated and the well-oiled backfield of 4A MVP Joe Dupaix and running backs Jake Marshall and Adam Kershaw also gone, Skyline has gone speedy.
Don't let the black socks - the Eagles' fad this season - and black shoes fool you. Skyline is quick - quick to burst through holes, quick to take to the air and quick to score.
Skyline scored three times in the first period - a 45-yard pass from Scott Vincent to Cliff Doman, an 88-yarder from Vincent to Brian Alba and a 28-yard interception return by Rich Smith. Alba's two point-after kicks made it 20-0 Skyline after the opening period.
The Eagles added a pair of touchdowns in the second - a Hansen 14-yard run and 19-yard off-tackle trot by Romney Stewart - and Alba added another two PATs for a 34-0 halftime margin.
Mountain View's sole moment of glory through the first three quarters was a 77-yard punt return by Jesse Cottonbetteridge for an apparent TD early in the third period. But that was nullified by a clipping penalty - and the Bruins fumbled on the next play, with Hansen returning the ball 20 yards for his second score. A PAT kick by Kasey Kershaw and 15-yard TD run by Tom Cannon wrapped up the 47 total points before the end of the third quarter.
With an assortment of miscues, turnovers and failings keeping the bigger Bruins from crossing midfield until midway in the fourth quarter Mountain View finally avoided the shutout as D.G. Nelson scrambled for an 18-yard score, with Jim Henderson tacking on the point after for the final 47-7 margin.