2014 Team Preview: Skyline Spartans

 

Five Key Players

RB/LB Rashaad Boddie (6’0, 220) – Even though he’s only going to be a junior, Boddie is an absolute beast of a tailback. He runs well behind his pads and keeps the chains moving. As a sophomore last fall, while working into the backfield rotation, Boddie totaled 524 yards and seven scores and he saw some action in the secondary as well. This fall, he’ll be the main ball-carrier for the Spartans and also be a pretty big contributor on defense as well. Expect him to be one of the top prospects in the state as schools come through next winter and spring to look at 2016 prospects.

OL/DL Cameron Saffle (6’4, 230) – Saffle, a senior, is one of the team captain and a starter on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he’ll hold down the left tackle spot, but it’s on defense where his future lies as he’s an absolute monster off the edge posting 62 tackles and 11 sacks.

LB Chandler Wong (5’8, 215) – He’s not the biggest guy out there, but when Wong lays the lumber, you can feel it in the stands. As a junior last season, Wong totaled 75 tackles and eight tackles-for-loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Now, as a senior, Wong has been named one of the team captains and with is high football I.Q, the coaches feel very comfortable with him in the middle of their defense.

OL/DE Riley Griffiths (6’2, 250) – Griffiths is a solid two-way player for Skyline. He can play all three interior spots, although he’ll move to guard this year, along the offensive line and on defense he parlayed his talents and instincts into 40 tackles and three sacks from his defensive end spot.

OL/DL Cameron Hill (6’0, 285) – Hill is outstanding as a drive blocker on offense and he’ll man the pivot this fall. Hill brings a nasty attitude to the Spartans’ offensive line and he’s definitely a leader for them up front.

 

Overview

Over the years, Skyline has been known for it’s outstanding skill position players, several of which were rated the best at their position in the country — QBs Max Browne and Jake Heaps as well as WR Kasen Williams — however, this year, while their quarterback position seems to be in good shape, the best aspect of their team will likely be in the trenches.

Head coach Mat Taylor is currently enjoying an abundance of talent up front with seniors Cameron Saffle, Riley Griffiths and Cameron Hill leading the way, however, their overall best player along the offensive line could wind up being sophomore Henry Bainivalu, a 6’4, 255-pounder with outstanding feet and balance.

Bainivalu will play right tackle this fall and then move over the left side for his junior and senior seasons.

Taylor thinks Bainivalu could be just as good, if not better, than former Spartans All-Stater Cody Habben who had offers from several Pac 12 schools and went on to be a two-year starter at the University of Washington.

At quarterback, junior Blake Gregory takes over and he’ll have some nice weapons at his disposal this fall, both in the backfield and outside at receiver.

Junior tailback Rashaad Boddie is a big-time talent and he already appears to have a college-ready body. At 6’0, 220 pounds, Boddie just punishes tacklers and he’s got pretty soft hands, so he can be a dual-threat type for the Spartans.

The wide receiver duties fall to Derek Loville and Danny Sinatro, two experienced wideouts who are a contrast in styles — Loville is huge and athletic while Sinatro is quick and able to find soft spots in zones.

Senior Joe Bretl, another team captain, will play the slot back position and he’s a threat to run it or catch it.

Along the defensive line, things are in great shape with Saffle handling duties at one of the defensive end spots. Saffle’s 11 sacks last season were good for second in the state.

Griffiths and Elijah Nichols, another senior, will see plenty of playing time at end as well.

Inside, Hill holds strong at the point and they will work in several other players there as well.

Senior Chandler Wong leads the defense from the middle linebacker spot while junior Taven Erpenbach and Boddie both will see lots of playing time as well.

Junior Bo Longmore appears to be set at one of the outside spots and P.J. Cox, another junior, appears set at the other linebacker position.

The secondary is deep with talent.

Bretl will handle one of the corner spots while Sinatro mans the other side.

Backing them up will be junior Jake Pendergast and senior Nolan Bernard.

Taylor and his staff are excited about the safety spot as they have four players they are confident enough in to make an impact this fall.

Senior Blake Sypher, the fourth team captain, will man the free safety spot while Loville and junior Logan Wanamaker will battle it out for the strong safety reps.

One player they are really excited to see on the field is sophomore Bradley Kim, a 5’11, 190-pounder with speed, instincts and a fearless attitude.

The Bottom Line: For the better part of two decades, Skyline has been one of the top 4A programs in the state. When Steve Gervais moved on and handed the reigns over the Taylor some thought they’d take a dip, but that just hasn’t happened. Last year, with spotty quarterback play, the Spartans still managed to go 9-2 and this fall, if Gregory can be consistent, they have a chance to make a deep run in the state playoffs with an outside shot at a state title.

 

Key Games

vs. Graham-Kapowsin (10/10)

vs. Bothell (10/17)

vs. Eastlake (10/31)