Bellevue, Washington was the next stop on the 7th Annual MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard. This night another great Bellevue High School team was battling for top billing in the Kingco League. The Bellevue Wolverines basketball team would go on to beat Mercer Island 45 to 40 to claim top spot in the competitive Kingco League. But the excitement and energy was clearly on the Wolverine football team that had recently won its 9th State Championship in the last 11 years.
At about 5:00 pm I was joined by Sergeant Eric Chang of the Washington Army National Guard who quickly set up a display in the newly renovated lobby where crowds of students and fans gathered before the big game and the even bigger trophy presentation to happen at half time. As the crowd grew for this pivotal game, interest began to grow around the famed "Minuteman" trophy proudly displayed at the Army National Guard booth and known officially as the Army National Guard national ranking trophy. Sergeant Chang and Captain Lucas Whitehall had a great time greeting fans and handing out Army National Guard paraphernalia. Backpacks were in high demand, as were pictures with the prestigious trophy!
The presentation was not the first for the mighty Bellevue Wolverines, as they have mastered the playoffs winning twenty straight playoff appearances. At halftime, the Wolverine football team poured on to the floor flanking Head Football Coach Butch Goncharoff. Coach Goncharoff has now held the State Title 9 times in his twelve years as Head Coach.
First up in the celebration was Casey Littlejohn of MaxPreps. Casey elaborated on this prestigious award, which is presented to only 50 schools across the country who are both top ranked and state champions. Casey expounded on the Wolverines amazing playoff run and No. 37 national ranking from over 16,000 teams in the nation and Coach Goncharoff's amazing run as a head coach. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause. Up next was Captain Lucas Whitehall. After a brief comparison of the traits of champions and Army National Guardsmen, Captain Whitehall presented the Army National Guard national ranking trophy to Coach Goncharoff and his team! Sergeant Chang presented the team with the Army National Guard nationally ranked championship rafter banner. Coach Goncharoff then addressed the crowd, quickly diverting all of the success and accolades to his players. Coach Goncharoff thanked the Army National Guard and MaxPreps for recognizing the hard work and dedication his players had put into preparing and playing this last season, claiming their 9th State Championship. The celebration concluded with the football team and cheerleaders gathering for photos as the Army National Guard rallied the crowd, throwing t-shirts into the bleachers.