Skyline holds off Bonneville 18-14 in a rainy season opener

IDAHO FALLS – A little rain couldn’t dampen the atmosphere in Friday’s season opener between Skyline and Bonneville.

Not only was it a conference game to open the season, but it was also the East Idaho Sports District 6 Game of the Week.

And for good reason.

With eight teams now in the conference with the addition of Pocatello and Century, the playoff picture can change with one win or one loss.

Bonneville led early. Skyline took the lead and added added to it at the half. The Bees would pull within 18-14 in the second half, but a steady rain, plus a sprinkler delay, made for a sloppy finish.

The 18-14 Skyline lead held up and the Grizzlies are in the win column in Game 1.

“When you get to be 65-years old, you don’t know how many more of these you got,” an emotional Scott Berger said after the game. “It’s precious and it’s special.”

Berger’s coached at Skyline for 37 years, the past 18 as head coach.

“You go into these things and you never know what to expect, or what’s going to happen,” he said. “So anytime you can get a win, especially in a game like this, it’s huge.”

Even with the weather conditions, both teams had successful big plays early through the air.

Jaxton Briggs connected with Kaine Rodriguez for a 20-yard score early in the second quarter to put the Bees up 6-3.

Skyline responded with a 51-yard TD pass from John Giannini to Taleai Molifuo to retake the lead.

The Grizzlies closed the half with a solid drive, capped by a 15-yard touchdown run by Giannini.

The Bees’ big play in the second half came when Cooper Stephenson powered his way for a 25-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 18-14 following the successful 2-point conversion.

That was with 9:28 left in the third quarter, but neither team could find an offensive break over the remainder of the game.

Skyline fumbled on its next possession after the Bonneville score, but the Bees’ drove downfield only to come up short on a fourth-down play and turned the ball over on downs.

Skyline fumbled again, and then Bonneville fumbled, setting the tone for the wet fourth quarter.

The Bees looked to get a break when the defense came up with a goal-line stand with 3:30 left.

The subsequent series ended with a fumble and Skyline was able to run out the clock.

Skyline is at conference newcomer Century next Friday and Bonneville plays a nonconference game at Thunder Ridge.