Bellevue used three rushing touchdowns from running back John Nguyen and three field goals from kicker Mitch Johnson to hold off Mercer Island (3-2) 43-28 on Friday night and move to 5-0 on the season.
The Wolverines controlled things throughout the first half, pushing their lead to 12-0 before the Mercer Island offense got untracked and found the endzone when Jeff Lindquist hit Eric Stefanchick for a three yard touchdown pass on fourth and goal to tighten things back up at 12-7.
But it was more Nguyen on the next Bellevue possession as the 180 pound junior scored on his fourth carry of the drive after being set up by a 49-yard dash from junior Ari Morales.
“Johnny ran hard,” Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff said of Nguyen, who finished with 81 yards on 17 carries and the three scores in the game.
The Wolverines would get a pair of touchdown catches from Nathan Derider and an interception by Budda Baker to extend their lead all the way to 43-7 before the Islanders could find their stride.
“I saw Dakota (Jones) had him underneath,” Baker said. “I just stayed on top and got the ball.”
The sophomore added another interception on the game’s final play.
“Budda made some plays,” defensive coordinator James Hasty said. “He’s a hell of a little player.”
Mercer Island finally found some momentum when Lindquist plunged in from the four yard line just before the end of the fourth quarter and after a Bellevue fumble found Steen Swedstedt four plays later to get his team to within 43-21. Another Bellevue fumble and another Lindquist scoring run made it 43-28 with 10:39 to play.
“Mercer Island is a good team,” Goncharoff said. “We’ve got to get better and understand that we have to play at a much more positive level.
The Wolverines quickly went three and out on their next series, but Dakota Jones picked up a Mercer Island fumble on the third play of the Islanders’ next drive to seal the deal.
“I’m obviously not happy with the result,” Islanders’ head coach Brett Ogata said. “But I’m happy our guys learned mentally they could play with Bellevue. Hopefully that gives us confidence for future games.”
Bellevue quarterback Tyler Hasty had over 200 yards of total offense and one touchdown in the win. Matt Gilbert also had an interception of Lindquist, who finished with three on the night to go with his three scores and over 320 yards of offense.
The Wolverines will be back home next week to face Juanita and the Islanders will host Mount Si.
Game notes
Lindquist started the game 2-5 through the air for two yards and one interception…he was hampered that drive and all night by the Bellevue pressure…two of those drives also started with penalties on the Islanders…on M-I’s first scoring drive, he was in on every play, going 5-6 (with a drop) through the air, rushing five times and converting the fourth down for a score…he rushed 24 times on the night with most coming in scrambling situations…both Tyler Hasty and Jack Meggs threw touchdown passes to Nathan Derider…Brian Higgins took one series at quarterback for the Islanders in the second half.
Other games
Sammamish picked up a victory in overtime, 48-42 over Lake Washington. For a complete recap, click here.
Newport was overwhelmed by a physical group from Eastlake (5-0), falling 52-14 to the Wolves, who are ranked second in the state in class 4A. For a complete recap, click here.
Interlake was defeated 26-14 by Mount Si (4-1).
