Contributing sportswriter (and MSHS junior) Ben Evensen breaks down Mount Si Football’s big 3A state semi-final match up with #1 ranked Bellevue High School, which happens tomorrow, November 23rd at the Tacoma Dome, 7PM. For more info on tickets, TV schedule, etc visit the Mount Si Football website.
Overview
Mount Si has had the best football season in school history and are one of the four final 3A teams in the state. They have the #2 ranking in state, an 11-1 overall record with playoffs, and the Wildcat’s are set to march on in the post-season.
However, the next opponent is #1 Bellevue. Not only is Bellevue #1 in Washington with a 12-0 overall record, but they are ranked #4 in the entire nation by USA Today. This isn’t the first time these two teams have met. Bellevue and Mount Si had a huge showdown October 12th, which Bellevue won 49-10.
Both teams are in the spot light, a new place for Mount Si. This is their first time in the Tacoma Dome, and the deepest the school has ever been in the state playoffs. Bellevue, on the other hand, has won the state title game nine of the last eleven years. They consistently are a powerhouse program in the state and send players each season to big colleges. This is just another season for the Wolverines.
Prediction
The first time these schools met, Bellevue destroyed the Wildcats like I had predicted. In Mount Si’s defense, some people have brought up that they were nervous with all the hype surrounding the game. That very well could have been the case, but I saw Mount Si being shut down in every area of the game.
Bellevue has speed, and had numerous big runs against the Wildcat defense totaling for 319 rushing yards. Their running backs did it all on very few carries too. Myles Jack had only 5 carries for 105 yard and two touchdowns. John Nguyen had 10 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown.
The Wolverines’ defense also shut down Mount Si’s explosive offense. They rattled junior quarterback Nick Mitchell, picking off two passes and holding him to a 40% completion percentage. The secondary did a great job of taking WR Trent Riley out of the game, holding him to only 56 yards and 3 catches. Bellevue totaled 419 yards while Mount Si was only able to match with 191.
This time, I don’t expect anything different. Mount Si simply does not have the speed and talent to keep up with Bellevue, and this one should be over by the second quarter once again. For every star Mount Si has on the field, Bellevue has two of their own.
But Mount Si still should be very proud of what they have accomplished. They are a good team and the best group to ever call themselves Wildcats. No Mount Si football team has ever made it to the Tacoma Dome, and they always will be the first. But, the road ends here at the hands of the Bellevue Wolverines.
Prediction: Bellevue 56 Mount Si 13
