Matt Spears doesn't need a GPS to navigate his way through the Class 4A state football playoffs.

"The Tacoma Dome is a 129 miles away," the Skyview senior running back said, referring to the site of the state football championship game.

Spears helped Skyview take a big step in that direction by rushing 33 times for 167 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Storm to a 40-21 win Friday over Bethel of Spanaway in a first-round game at Kiggins Bowl.

"Oh, I didn't mind it at all," Spears said when asked about his 33 carries. "I love carrying the football. It's the best way of taking control of the game."

The Storm did exactly that in the second half, with Spears gaining 112 of his yards after an uneven first half for the Storm.

Skyview drove inside the Bethel 25-yard line on its first four possessions of the game, but only led 12-7 at halftime.

"Touchdowns win football games," Spears said. "We needed to get touchdowns instead of field goals in the second half."

Actually, Skyview would have been happy with some field goals in the first half. But Bethel blocked two field-goal attempts, as well as two extra-point kicks, in the first half to stay close to the Storm.

But in the second half, the Skyview defense took over and the offense converted the opportunities the defense provided it.

After Skyview forced a three-and-out from Bethel to open the third quarter, Skyview stormed down the field to extend their lead to 20-7 on Austin Dodge's second touchdown pass of the night to Karl Graves.

"At halftime, we just talked about finishing," Dodge said. "I'm extremely proud of the way the guys held on to the ball. And Matt Spears did a heck of job running the ball and eating up the clock."

But Spears wasn't about to take all the credit.

"Our offensive line did a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage, our receivers blocked great downfield, and Adam Brown ran the ball hard when I couldn't get going."

When Bethel stuffed Spears for 13 yards on his first seven carries, Brown stepped in to gain 63 yards on six carries in the first half to help Skyview take its 12-7 lead.

But Spears got rolling in the second half. He had 78 yards on 20 carries by the end of the third quarter when his 8-yard touchdown run gave Skyview a 27-7 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Bethel got a heavy dose of Spears. He rushed four straight times for 32 yards, including a 4-yard TD run, that put Skyview up 33-14 with 6:08 left in the game. And he capped Skyview's scoring on the night with a 14-yard run with 3:14 left.

Dodge finished 15 for 30 passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Ellis Henderson caught six passes for 76 yards, and Graves caught three passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

The win sent Skyview to the state quarterfinals for the second time in four years. With two more wins, Skyview would be headed 129 miles up the freeway to the Tacoma Dome and the state championship game.

"It feels amazing," Spears said. "My brother made to the final eight when he was senior, and now we're back there again. We just want to keep this going as long as we can."

Skyview won't get its rematch with Marysville-Pilchuck. The Tomahawks lost to Auburn 25-22 on Friday. Skyview will play Auburn (11-0) at Kiggins Bowl next Friday or Saturday.