Bellevue football rolls past Glacier Peak, advances to semifinals

It didn't take long for Glacier Peak to find out about Bellevue's Wing-T attack. In fact, it took all of 14 seconds for the Grizzlies to learn there's a good reason why Bellevue has been to the state semifinals three years in a row. Sean Coley scored on the first play from scrimmage for the second-straight game and Bellevue cruised to a 34-7 win over Glacier Peak at Snohomish Veteran's Memorial Stadium, setting up a rematch of last year's state title game, as they will face Union of Vancouver Friday in the state semifinals.

It didn’t take long for Glacier Peak to find out about Bellevue’s Wing-T attack.

In fact, it took all of 14 seconds for the Grizzlies to learn there’s a good reason why Bellevue has been to the state semifinals three years in a row.

Sean Coley scored on the first play from scrimmage for the second-straight game and Bellevue cruised to a 34-7 win over Glacier Peak at Snohomish Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, setting up a rematch of last year’s state title game, as they will face Union of Vancouver Friday in the state semifinals.

But the Wolverines (10-2) first had to get past Glacier Peak, the surprising second-year school from Snohomish that had rallied to comeback wins in its last two playoff games.

That’s where Coley came in, breaking two tackles and taking the first play 80 yards to put Bellevue up 7-0 early.

“That just got the whole team fired up,” said running back Joey Mangialardi. “That set the tempo right there.”

Bellevue’s Julious Moore, a UCLA commit, recovered a fumble by Glacier Peak quarterback Zach Richter on the Grizzlies first drive and the turnover led to the first of four Joey Mangialardi touchdowns on the night. The junior rushed for 99 yards on 19 carries to go along with four scores.

“Joey’s been a great surprise this year,” said Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff. “He gets his money’s worth when he carries the ball.”

Bellevue’s defense brought pressure and speed against the prolific passing offense of Glacier Peak (9-3). Richter came into the game with nearly 2,800 yards passing and 32 touchdowns and the Grizzlies featured three players with over 600 yards receiving.

Although Richter finished 31 of 50 for 241 yards, the Wolverines limited most of the passes to short gains – holding Glacier Peak scoreless until just 2:10 remained in the game.

“We just wanted to do things right, hustle to the ball every play,” said Bellevue senior linebacker John Kanongata’a. “We did all the things we needed to do to beat a good team.”

Bellevue, which rushed for 302 yards as a team, welcomed back senior David Nguyen, who saw extended playing time for the first time since fracturing his foot in the Wolverines week two loss to Katy, Texas. Nguyen rushed for a game-high 110 yards on just eight carries.

“We’re fairly healthy for the first time,” Goncharoff said. “That does make a difference.”

Bellevue returns to the Tacoma Dome – or their “second home” as Kanongata’a calls it – for Friday’s matchup with Union. The Titans flattened Meadowdale 49-7 Saturday to advance.

Bellevue beat Union (11-1) 35-6 last season in the title game for their sixth state championship in eight years.

“It’s going to be a war,” Goncharoff said. “They’re ready to play.”

Joel Willits can be reached at 425-453-5045.