See game recap below 

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The Wolverines Conquer 3A Again, 6th Straight
By Colin Caruso

3A Washington state football has been dominated by the Bellevue Wolverines for the past 12 years. Ten state titles in that timeframe and a win in Friday’s matchup against the Eastside Catholic Crusaders would make six in a row.

Eastside came out throwing on their first possession, putting together a good drive after a 57 yard completion to Colin Macilvennie. Quarterback Harley Kirsch dropped back to pass on the next play, tossed the ball into the end zone for running back Brandon Wellington but the pass was a tad underthrown. Safety (also quarterback) Timmy Haehl was able to make a leaping interception, giving Bellevue their first possession. Five plays later Haehl connected with Ross Connors for a 65 yard touchdown to give Bellevue the early 7-0 lead.

After two punts from Eastside and one from Bellevue, the Wolverines got the ball back on their own 27 yard line. Two plays later Haehl busted free for a 70 yard touchdown run to give the Wolverines a 14-0 lead.

The Crusaders needed an answering drive and they put together a well-executed eight play 57-yard drive that was capped off by a 1 yard quarterback keeper by Harley Kirsch to close the Wolverine lead to 14-7. But Bellevue stormed right back and converted on a 9 yard Sam Richmond run to elevate the lead back to 14, 21-7.

After two Crusader offensive plays, senior Wolverine Shane Bowman forced a fumble that was recovered by Bellevue on the Crusader 14 yard line. Two plays later Richmond struck again, his second on the evening, to put the Wolverines up 28-7. After a three and out by the Crusaders, Bellevue struck again on a Haehl run, his second of the day. Bellevue took a 35-7 lead into halftime.

Bellevue received the second half kick but was forced to punt to the Crusaders. Deep inside their own territory on their second offensive play, Kirsch dropped back and threw a deep ball over the middle that was intercepted again by Haehl of the Wolverines, who returned in 32 yards for another Bellevue score. After another Crusader turnover, Bellevue added a Kian Khodamoradi field goal to push the lead to 45-7.

To make the game a little more respectable, the Crusaders put together a great drive in the beginning of the fourth quarter that was capped off by a 1 yard Elisha Pa’Aga run. Both teams added a score to close out the fourth quarter and Bellevue pulled off another win in convincing fashion, 52-20. Congratulations to the Bellevue program for winning 6 straight state titles, and 11 of the last 13.

Top Performers:
Bellevue
Timmy Haehl – 7/7 for 91 yards 1TD, 8 carries for 116 yards 2TD, 2 defensive interceptions, one return for TD
Budda Baker – 18 carries for 101 yards and 1TD

Eastside Catholic
Harley Kirsch – 27/37 for 266 yards and 1TD