Glacier Peak faces tough challenge in Bellevue

SNOHOMISH — If Glacier Peak is going to pull off the biggest upset in Washington state high school football this season, the Grizzlies will have to do it with defense.

Undefeated and No. 1-ranked Bellevue — GP’s opponent in tonight’s 3A state playoff game — has scored at least 38 points in each of its 10 victories this season. The Wolverines’ closest game so far was a 38-14 dismantling of Juanita on Oct. 4.

Luckily for the Grizzlies, defense has been their strength of late. Glacier Peak forced nine turnovers — six interceptions and three fumble recoveries — in last week’s 28-3 quad-district playoff victory over Wilson. Glacier Peak coach Rory Rosenbach said he couldn’t remember a team forcing nine turnovers in a game before.

In addition to a sound defense, there are two other factors Rosenbach and his staff hope add up to an upset tonight.

First, over the past two years the five-time defending state champion Wolverines haven’t played a closer in-state game than their 28-17 victory over the Grizzlies in the 2011 quad-district playoffs. The Grizzlies liked their game plan that night and saw a lot of things on film that they say can help them keep things close again.

Second, several of the coaches on the Grizzlies’ staff, including defensive coordinator Steve Hannan, have studied under some of the state’s most knowledgeable proponents of the wing-T offense, which Bellevue runs better than anyone.

“I think we have a unique situation in that we’ve got some guys who are pretty familiar with what they do,” Rosenbach said. “I feel like we’re going to have a really good plan. Can we execute the plan? That’s why we play the game.”

Wilson played last week without its starting quarterback and running back and the Grizzlies took advantage. Forming a plan against a Bellevue team that has little to no weaknesses should prove more difficult.

“Every team presents its challenges,” Hannan said. “So I think what you try to do is find out what they do really well and what do we do defensively that’s within our defense that will help take that away.”

The Grizzlies were relatively successful two years ago and the coaching staff hopes to do even better tonight.

“We looked at the film and knew what our plan was two years ago and we liked what we did,” Rosenbach said. “We just said, ‘Hey, we can execute this. If we can execute what we want to accomplish this year, you guys can make plays against them.’ Can we make enough? That’s what we’ll find out.”

Hannan’s tutelage under former Bellevue head coach Dwayne Hatch and current Wolverines’ offensive-line coach Pat Jones certainly can’t hurt the Grizzlies in their preparations.

“We’re fortunate that we know their terminology and the plays that they want to run,” Hannan said. “It’s all been confirmed by the film. So we think we know what they’re going to do to us. They’ll have some wrinkles for us, I’m sure, that we’ll have to make adjustments to. But we think we know what they want to do to us, it’s just a matter of executing the defense.”

Despite GP having some insight into how Bellevue runs its offense, Hannan doesn’t expect the Wolverines to deviate from what they do best.

“I think they are a very confident group,” he said. “I don’t think that we’re going to scare them. They’ll probably just come like ‘This is what we do and come and stop us.’”

The Grizzlies can expect large doses of running back Budda Baker, one of the top recruits on the West Coast.

“We are going against the best in the state and one of the top in country,” GP wide receiver and defensive back Kaianoa Wong said. “We’ve just got to shut them down and do our job. Everybody has a specific job on defense. We all know what to do. We’ve just got to do it and execute — and if we execute, things will go our way.”

Glacier Peak saw a version of the wing-T in a 59-20 loss to third-ranked Marysville Pilchuck in the Wesco 3A championship game, but Hannan said the MP and Bellevue offenses are very different.

“Marysville is really a fly-T team,” Hannan said. “(The Tomahawks) run everything off the fly sweep and the quarterback will keep it and run.

“The plays (the Wolverines) run aren’t the same at all.”

Of course, it’s one thing to know what Bellevue is going to; it’s quite another to match the Wolverines’ athletic ability.

“There is wing-T and then there’s Bellevue wing-T,” Rosenbach said. “There is everybody else’s speed and then there’s Bellevue’s speed.”

The ultimate key to success, Rosenbach and Hannan said, will be how well the Grizzlies tackle.

“We feel like we’ve got reads that will lock are kids in to where the ball is going to be,” Hannan said. “Don’t trust what you see, trust your read keys and then it’s a matter of getting to the ball. And really with Bellevue, it’s a matter of tackling the guy with the ball. Bellevue makes plays by breaking tackles and running a long way, so when we’re in position to make a play, the kids have got to make the play.”

Aaron Lommers covers prep sports for The Herald. Follow him on twitter @aaronlommers and contact him at alommers@heraldnet.com.

Glacier Peak vs. Bellevue

When: Today, 7 p.m.

Where: Bellevue H.S.

How they got here: Bellevue (10-0) beat Ferndale 44-0; Glacier Peak (8-2) beat Wilson 28-3.

Winner receives: Spot in the quarterfinals against Bonney Lake/Peninsula winner.

Scoreczar pick: If a team finds itself on the same side of the state bracket as Bellevue it can be demoralizing. It means your already difficult road to the championship game just got a lot harder. Bellevue will do what they do so well until somebody in this state stops them. Bellevue, 38-3.

Swaney pick: Bellevue, 31-10

Krueger pick: Bellevue, 45-20

Lommers pick: Bellevue, 35-17

Twitter: @krueger_david

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.