No. 2 Bellevue holds off No. 7 Glacier Peak 24-6

SNOHOMISH — Leading up to Friday night’s non-conference football showdown between No. 2-ranked Bellevue and No. 7-ranked Glacier Peak, Grizzlies’ head coach Rory Rosenbach said his team would find out how good it really is.

The answer on Friday was not quite good enough to beat Bellevue — the Grizzlies fell 24-6 — but still encouraging to Rosenbach and his players.

“Defensively, we were awesome,” Rosenbach said. “We were lights out. … I was so proud of the way they played on defense. Offensively, we did some OK things, we just couldn’t finish. We made some mistakes and missed some opportunities. That’s what we told them in the beginning. When you get an opportunity you have to make it. You can’t drop a pass that you can catch. You can’t miss a hole that you should hit because now you’re behind the sticks and they’re too good.”

The Grizzlies may have lost by 18, but the game felt much closer. Bellevue scored a touchdown and a field goal on its first two possessions respectively, but after that Glacier Peak didn’t allow much for the better part of two quarters.

Glacier Peak’s biggest problem, just as it was a year ago when it lost to Bellevue 30-0, was finding a way to score points.

Hoping to throw a different look at Bellevue, Glacier Peak started sophomore Jaxsen Sweum at quarterback. Senior Devyn Rainbow and freshman Ayden Ziomas have seen the bulk of the action under center this season. Sweum has played sparingly and been predominantly a run-first quarterback.

“We thought we would come out and throw a little Wing-T at them and see what happens,” Rosenbach said with a laugh. “We thought we’d Wing-T the Wing-T’ers and see what happens. They stopped it, so we got out of it.”

Despite giving up points on Bellevue’s first two possessions, Glacier Peak trailed just 10-0 at halftime and were very much alive.

“The thing that I told them at halftime was, ‘you’ve made it through a half of football,’” Rosenbach said. “Usually it takes two quarters to figure out how fast they are and the speed that they’re running the plays at because you can’t simulate it in practice. They did it in the first half. They got it. That’s the biggest challenge, get to the second half with a chance to win. We did and we just couldn’t get it done tonight.”

The second half started much the same way the first half ended, with Glacier Peak struggling to move the ball on offense — so the defense took matters into its own hands.

Senior Justin Guffey scooped up a fumble and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown to cut Bellevue’s lead to 10-6 with just under six minutes to play in the third quarter.

“Momentum shifted and we were feeling good,” Guffey said of the Grizzlies’ morale after the touchdown. “We just needed a stop and the ball would have bouncing in our direction again.”

While an extra point would have brought the Grizzlies to within a field goal, Rosenbach elected to go for two.

Never shy to take a chance, Rosenbach explained his thinking after the game.

“My thought was I’m going to go for two and I’m going to get that two-point conversion,” he said. “Then we’re down by two and we only need a field goal (to win). That’s what I’m thinking, because we’re doing awesome. I don’t know how many opportunities we’re going to get to score points, so if I can make it a field goal and we win, that’s a great deal.”

The Grizzlies certainly looked like a team capable of making a deep run in the 3A state playoffs. If that happens, there is a good chance the Grizzlies could see the Wolverines again in the postseason.

Guffey seemed excited about that thought.

“We’ve just to take it week by week and keep playing football,” he said. “You never know, but hopefully we see them again. We’d love it.”

If Friday’s game taught Rosenbach anything, it’s that his team isn’t scared to play the Wolverines.

“I think there is absolutely no dear in those guys’ eyes after this game,” Rosenbach said. “They’re a really good football team, but we showed that we’re not too bad either.”

At Veterans Memorial Stadium

Bellevue 10 0 7 7 —24

Glacier Peak 0 0 6 0 —6

B—Christoph Hirota 11 run (Thomas Monaghan kick)

B—Monaghan 31 FG

GP—Justin Guffey 47 fumble return (pass failed)

B—Ercle Terrell 20 run (Monaghan kick)

B—Terrell 4 run (Monaghan kick)

Records–Bellevue 3-1. Glacier Peak 4-1.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.