Too Much Hennessey for Bellarmine, Camas Advances to 4A State Final

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Saturday Nov 30th 2013 4A Boys Football
Tacoma Dome 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Bellarmine Prep 7 7 0 7 21
Camas 21 14 7 7 49

See game recap below
 


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Too Much Hennessey for Bellarmine, Camas Advances to 4A State Final
By Colin Caruso

In the primetime game at the Tacoma Dome on semifinal Saturday, the Bellarmine Prep Lions faced off against the Papermakers of Camas for a trip to the 4A state final. Bellarmine came into the contest with two losses this season, Camas entered undefeated.

The Papermakers came out strong in this contest, scoring two touchdowns in the first five minutes of the game, both on passes from Reilly Hennessey to Zach Eagle. Bellarmine was able to respond with a Garrett McKay touchdown catch later in the quarter, but the Papermakers kept the pressure on with another scoring drive to close the quarter with a 21-7 lead.

Of the Papermakers six first half possessions, five resulted in touchdowns. Bellarmine could not find a way to slow down the Papermakers, who amassed 406 first half yards. Camas led 35-14 at the break.

Scoring slowed down in the third quarter, with only a Jason Vailea touchdown run for the Papermakers, his second on the night. Bellarmine did put together a great drive in the quarter but a fourth down touchdown pass by Lou Millie was negated by an illegal forward pass which gave the ball back to Camas.

With the game in hand, both teams added another score in the fourth quarter. Camas closed Bellarmine Prep’s season with a commanding 49-21 win. The Papermakers will play Chiawana on December 7th for the 4A state championship.

Top Performers:
Bellarmine Prep
Lou Millie – 13/25 for 183 yards and 2TD
Garret McKay – 5 catches for 89 yards and 2TD

Camas
Reilly Hennessey – 21/32 for 343 yards and 3TD
Zach Eagle – 11 catches for 170 yards and 3TD
Nate Beasley – 27 carries for 128 yards and 1TD

Bellarmine Advances to State Semifinal in OT Thriller

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Saturday Nov 23rd 2013 4A Boys Football
Mt. Tahoma Stadium 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Bothell 0 7 7 3 17
Bellarmine Prep 7 3 0 7+3 20

See game recap below
 


Bellarmine Advances to State Semifinal in OT Thriller
By Colin Caruso

With the stands packed at the newly constructed Mt. Tahoma Stadium, the Bellarmine Prep Lions hosted the 4A state quarterfinal matchup against the Bothell Cougars. Defense was the story throughout, as both teams struggled to put together strong drives that resulted in scoring.

Bellarmine broke the 0-0 tie late in the first quarter with an 11 yard touchdown run from junior Jamal Ervin. The Lions added a 33 yard field goal later in the second as well, taking a 10-0 lead. But Bothell put together a strong drive in the waning seconds of the first half to punch their first score in, an 11 yard pass from junior Ross Bowers to classmate Dayzell Wilson to close the gap to 10-7 at half.

The Cougars put the only score on the board in the third quarter, a 2 yard run from junior tailback Sam McPherson. But again both teams played stellar defense, as both secondaries intercepted the opposing quarterback in the quarter.

Bothell added a field goal early in the fourth to take their largest lead of the game, seven points. But Bellarmine drove down the field and answered immediately, a pass from Lou Millie to Nick Selden tied the game at 17. Bothell put together a great drive on their next possession, with a first and goal at the six yard line. Just two plays later, Bowers lofted a ball towards the sideline and was intercepted again, returned close to midfield. With 3:11 on the clock, Bellarmine was poised to put together a game winning drive. But penalties and a sack forced the Lions out of field goal range and the game went to overtime, 17-17.

Bellarmine kicked another field goal on their first possession to put the pressure on the Cougars, who were again with a first and goal situation. But Lion Garrett McKay wanted nothing to do with a Cougar touchdown, and intercepted Bowers again, to win the game 20-17. The Lions will play Camas in the state 4A semifinal.

Top Performers:
Bellarmine Prep
Team defense – 4 interceptions, sack, forced fumble
Matthew Philichi – 2 field goals of 37 and 33 yards

Bellarmine Rallies to Shock Newport

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Saturday Nov 16th 2013 4A Boys Football
Newport High School 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Bellarmine Prep 0 14 7 17 38
Newport 14 14 0 7 35

See game video highlights below
 


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Bellarmine Rallies to Shock Newport
By Steven Dion

The second round of the gridiron postseason featured a marquee matchup between a strong pair of 4A programs in Newport and Bellarmine Prep. Both teams entered the contest with a 7-2 record and a ticket to the final eight up for grabs. Despite cold temperatures and chilling winds, both sidelines were packed with enthusiastic fans rooting on their schools.

The home team got down to business early as the Knights found the end zone twice in the first frame; once through the air and the other on the ground. A 51 yard Drew Sample reception and 52 yard scamper by Conner Baumann created an early 14-0 lead. Baumann’s 6’3 222lb frame continued to punish the Lions’ front seven by notching two more TDs in the first half. The Lions built some momentum late in the 2nd by punching in two scores from QB Lou Millie to Garrett McKay. After trailing 21-0, it was evident that if Bellarmine were to stage a comeback, they would not be able to surrender another score. At the half, the Knights led 28-14.

Both teams exited the locker room with a mindset of increased defensive intensity. Lion linebacker Brandon Thompson and Knight D-line captain Bennett Long were two standout performers on defense, assisting in the process of forcing punts. The lone fumble of the contest was recovered by Newport at the 7:19 mark of the third and appeared a touchdown was the only thing separating them from securing a victory. Minutes later, Bellarmine found themselves in the end zone on a Jamal Ervin run. Newport’s fifth and final TD came early in the 4th, a 54 yard grab by Sample. Trailing 35-21 with only three minutes remaining, the Lions pulled within a score on a McKay touchdown. After a quick three-and-out by the Knights offense, Bellarmine had the ball once again. A run by Ervin and a two point conversion that appeared incomplete to the Newport sideline brought the game to a 35-35 tie.

The hungry BPHS defense forced a turnover on downs less than a minute later and set up kicker Matthew Philichi for a game winner from 20 yards out. The ball sailed through the uprights and sealed an improbable comeback for the 2012 state runner-up. Bellarmine ventures on, Newport finishes with a respectable 7-3 record.

Top Performers:
Bellarmine Prep
Garrett McKay – 3 rec TDs of 57, 12, and 12 yards

Newport
Conner Baumann – 3 rushing TDs of 54, 52, and 4 yards