Big plays on defense propelled the Bellevue Wolverines football team to its 60th straight victory.

Bellevue plucked four interceptions en route to a 38-6 victory against the Juanita Rebels on Oct. 10 in Bellevue. Wolverines’ linebacker Mustafa Branch had a team-high two interceptions; including a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Wolverines’ defensive back Jack Michael had a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Left cornerback Isaiah Gilchrist had an interception in the first half as well. Branch, who has already committed to playing college football for the Stanford University Cardinal, said his team was prepared for the Rebels.

“We had a good week of practice. Everybody has been flying around catching picks and making plays. That’s what we saw tonight,” Branch said.

The turnovers created on defense offset a night where the Wolverines made some uncharacteristic mistakes. The Wolverines had 10 penalties in the first half much to chagrin of Wolverines’ head coach Butch Goncharoff.

“We’re struggling on offense and we’re struggling with penalties again. If we keep giving things away it’s going to get us at some point, but we’re still surviving today so we’ll take it. Every single game we just got to get more disciplined. Its back to the drawing board,” Goncharoff said. “Our defense is solid and they kind of carried the deal today.”

Even though Bellevue held a slim 10-0 lead with 8:38 left in the second quarter, they never had any doubt they would get on track.

“You just got to keep pushing and keep playing,” Branch said.

Wolverines defensive back Christoph Hirota agreed with Branch’s sentiment.

“We knew the last couple of weeks we’ve had some slow starts. We just kept believing in ourselves. I’m glad we got the win,” Hirota said.

Bellevue senior running back Yofiel Wyle had two rushing touchdowns and Jack Sampson scored on a 2-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

“Yofiel Wyle has probably been our MVP (most valuable player) of the year so far. He’s a tough kid who has stepped in and played really well. We’re happy about that,” Goncharoff said.

The Wolverines (6-0) will face the Liberty Patriots at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 in Renton.

“We’re going to have to fix up the little things. We will get in the film room, study up and get ready for the next team up,” Hirota said.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5034; sscott@bellevuereporter.com