No. 1 Bellevue overwhelms Glacier Peak, 34-7
Published 11:25 pm Saturday, November 21, 2009
SNOHOMISH — Preparing for Bellevue is one thing, but actually going head-to-head with the mighty Wolverines is a shock.
The Glacier Peak High School football team found that out quickly on Saturday. On the first offensive play of the Class 3A state quarterfinal game Bellevue running back Sean Coley broke away from two defenders and raced for an 80-yard touchdown.
It was a sign of things to come.
After building a 20-0 lead by halftime and going ahead 34-0 in the third quarter, No. 1 Bellevue (Tacoma News Tribune rankings) blasted tenth-ranked Glacier Peak 34-7 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Back Joey Mangialardi scored four TDs for Bellevue (10-2), which will play No. 4 Union (11-1) in the 3A semifinals at the Tacoma Dome. Union beat Meadowdale 49-7 on Saturday in Vancouver (For story, see Page C4).
Propelled by its bruising Wing-T ground attack and its big, dominant linemen, Bellevue ended what was a stellar, historic season for Glacier Peak (9-3). In just its second year, Glacier Peak won two playoff games before falling against Bellevue, a dynasty that has won six state championships the past eight years.
All week, Glacier Peak prepped to defend Bellevue’s efficient offense. But in person the Wolverines were just too much to handle.
“That was the fear. You prepare for it all week and you know you can’t simulate the speed of the game,” Glacier Peak coach Rory Rosenbach said.
Bellevue backs Mangialardi (19 carries, 99 yards), Coley (two carries, 71 yards) and David Nguyen (eight carries, 110 yards) spearheaded a devastating ground game. Glacier Peak didn’t help itself by failing to wrap up several times and allowing huge gains.
“We knew we had to be great tacklers (versus Bellevue) and we weren’t great tacklers,” said Rosenbach.
“There were times when we had them wrapped up at the line of scrimmage and we didn’t make the tackle, and that was the difference,” he added. “If we make those tackles we’re in a lot better shape.”
The difference in offensive styles was about as drastic as it gets. Bellevue rushed 43 times and didn’t attempt a pass. Glacier Peak, which entered the clash averaging 37.5 points per game, threw 50 passes. Grizzlies quarterback Zach Richter completed 31 of 49 passes for 241 yards. Richter ended the shutout when he completed a 10-yard TD to Tanner Southard with less than 3 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
It wasn’t how Rosenbach and the Grizzlies imagined the season would end, but in the big picture they enjoyed a remarkable first two years together.
“We’re hurting right now,” Rosenbach said, “but I think those seniors, as they move on and go on to the next chapter of their lives, they’re going to be able to look back at this and be proud of what they did.”
Lineman John Froland, a Northwestern University recruit, was a big part of Glacier Peak’s first class of seniors. They worked together tirelessly and became a family, creating tradition at a new school, Froland said.
“We thought we would do something. We knew we’d make some noise,” Froland said. “We had a certain brotherhood between all of the senior class that was different than I’ve ever had. It’s a special bond.”
Tommy Rollins, another Glacier Peak senior, had a fine final game. He had a team-high eight receptions for 65 yards. Southard, a junior, finished with five catches for 53 yards and a score. Jack Bonner, also a junior, had 53 yards receiving on six catches.
Living up to its reputation, Bellevue dominated in the first half and took a 20-0 lead to the intermission. The hard-hitting, speedy Wolverines tallied three TD runs and benefited from two Glacier Peak turnovers.
Bellevue rushed for 194 yards on 20 carries in the half, led by Mangialardi (eight carries, 65 yards, two TDs) and Coley.
Glacier Peak had a few decent drives but two of its possessions ended in turnovers (one fumble, one interception). The pick happened in the final seconds of the first half, when Belleuve’s Brayden Van Ackeren intercepted Richter inside the Wolverines’ 10-yard line.
At Veterans Memorial Stadium
Bellevue137140—34
Glacier Peak0007—7
Bellevue-Coley 80 run (Sciabica kick)
Bellevue-Mangialardi 13 run (Coley run failed)
Bellevue-Mangialardi 11 run (Sciabica kick)
Bellevue-Mangialardi 1 run (Sciabica kick)
Bellevue-Mangialardi 9 run (Sciabica kick)
Glacier Peak-Southard 10 pass from Richter (Miller kick)
Records-Bellevue 10-2 overall. Glacier Peak 9-3.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.
