By Jason Hickman
MaxPreps.com
ÿ
TACOMA, Wash. --- The dynasty lives on. Bellevue overcame a 14-0 third quarter Kennedy lead to win its fifth Class 3A title in six years Friday night at the Tacoma Dome.
ÿ
The Wolverines, now winners in 74 of their last 78 games, chipped away with their vaunted running game in the second half, then used a big play by senior quarterback Eric Block to win the first overtime championship game in the state of Washington since 1993.
ÿ
"I can't picture a better ending," Block said. "Kennedy battled and challenged us all the way through, but we fought to the end."
ÿ
Block provided the game-winner in the first extra period, turning a nervous third-and-eight at the 23-yard line in to an untouched sprint up the middle for a touchdown.
ÿ
"It was just an I-21 sweep to the quarterback," Block said. "There was a seem and I hit it and no one was there."
ÿ
Block was clearly the game's most valuable player, rushing 17 times for 137 yards and a touchdown, and recording four tackles from his safety position. Bellevue recovered a fumble by Kennedy quarterback Bobby Gentry to seal the victory and touch off a hearty celebration.
ÿ
The Lancers will no doubt relive taking a 14-0 lead over the Wolverines, then seeing it all slip away in the game's final 20 minutes.
ÿ
Star running back Nate Williams put Kennedy on the board with 1:29 remaining in the opening quarter, diving over the pile from a yard out. Despite the touchdown, it was a quiet night for the University of Washington-bound Williams, finishing with just 20 yards on 13 carries.
ÿ
The Seamount League champions extended the lead to two scores on their first possession of the second half, as Gentry connected with sophomore Nolan Washington for a 14-yard touchdown pass.
ÿ
"Bob (Bourgette) and his staff did an amazing job," Bellevue head coach Goncharoff said. "They outplayed us and outcoached us."
ÿ
In a situation where most teams would take to the air, Bellevue patiently went to work with its Wing-T ground attack. Goncharoff called junior running back Laddell Carroll's number 18 times in the game's final 20 minutes, and changed the pace occasionally with Block.
ÿ
Carroll finished off drives of 13 and 10 plays with short touchdown runs during that span to knot the score at 14. The 5-8, 185-pounder finished with 99 yards on 24 carries.
ÿ
After Block's score in overtime, Kennedy picked up seven yards on first and second down of their possession after runs by Williams and Jesse Roe. But on third-and-three at the 18, Gentry was stripped, sending the ball eight yards in the opposite direction, where it was recovered by Bellevue's Mick Connors on the bounce.
ÿ
The win adds another line to Bellevue's impressive resume over the past six years. In addition to the five state titles, 74-4 overall record, and snapping De La Salle's (Calif.) national record 151-game winning streak, the Wolverines have won 21 of 22 playoff games during that stretch. ÿÿ
ÿ
Kennedy, making its 15-straight playoff appearance dating back to 1992, was vying for its first state title. The Lancers reached the semifinals in 1993, 2003, and 2005, but reach the championship game Friday night for the first time in school history.