From the Sidelines

When Bellevue meets Kamiakin Friday at 4 p.m. in the Class 3A state championship at the Tacoma Dome, it will be a matchup of vastly conflicting styles.
The Wolverines (12-1), as always, will boast their Wing-T offense, an offense they’ve used to run their way to seven state titles in nine seasons. Kamiakin (13-0), one of three high schools in Kennewick, will come out with their spread offense, a record-setting unit that has shattered school records.
Western Washington fans may not be familiar with the Braves, who, prior to a few years ago, had long been a Class 4A team.
Here’s what you can expect to see tonight – all Kamiakin photos are courtesy of talented Tri-City Herald photographer Kai-Huei Yau. See the Herald’s website for more photos. Bellevue photos, as usual, by our talented Chad Coleman.

Joey Jansen has thrown for a school-record 36 touchdowns this season. Kai-Huei Yau/Tri-City Herald

The Offense
Kamiakin senior quarterback Joey Jansen has smashed the Braves’ school record for touchdowns in a season – a mark (25) that he surpassed in week eight. Jansen has now tossed 36 touchdowns to go with 2,734 yards and 13 interceptions. Operating mostly out of the shotgun, Kamiakin’s spread offense is anchored by Jansen and a trio of talented senior receivers in Tim White, AJ Griffiths and Tyler Holle. The three have combined for 198 catches for 1,651 yards and 28 touchdowns. When the Braves run the ball, expect to see Dom Davis, who leads the team with 734 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Braves offensive line is made up of mostly juniors and first-year starters, although coach Scott Biglin has been high on the group since before the season began.

Dom Davis, seen here rushing for a touchdown against Mount Spokane, is Kamiakin's leading rusher. Kai-Huei Yau/Tri-City Herald

Myles Jack rushed for 113 yards and two scores last week.

Bellevue senior quarterback Kendrick Van Ackeren directs the Wolverines’ Wing-T attack, one that has shown, as always, speed and deception matters more than who runs the ball. Each week it seems the Wolverines have a new back breaking out – last week it was Myles Jack, who rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Junior Latrelle Dukes has been a consistent force for the Wolverines this season, showing tough running ability right up the middle for Bellevue. He rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries last week against Lakes. Senior Marcus Henry and junior Jake Eldrenkamp anchor Bellevue’s offensive line.

Kamiakin senior Tim White has caught 10 receiving touchdowns and has returned 10 punts or interceptions for scores. Kai-Huei Yau/Tri-City Herald

The Big Play Threats
Kamiakin senior wide receiver Tim White will receive plenty of attention tonight. White is the Braves’ big-play guy with 20 total touchdowns – 10 receiving and 10 from either punt returns or interception returns. According to Tri-City Herald sportswriter Kevin Anthony, who covers Kamiakin, teams have begun to punt the ball out of bounds rather than take a chance at kicking to White. White had a four-week stretch at the end of the regular season and the beginning of the players where he returned five punts for scores.

You can always count on Bellevue quarterback Kendrick Van Ackeren to make something happen.

Bellevue senior quarterback Kendrick Van Ackeren has been a difference-maker on both offense and defense for the Wolverines. Offensively, he’s been smart with the ball and, when Bellevue drops back to pass, he’s been accurate and a threat to run or pass. Last week against Lakes Van Ackeren rolled out to the right as if to run, stopped and launched a bullet to a wide-open Joey Moore for a 35-yard touchdown. On defense the senior has five interceptions, including one last week against Lakes. Teams can’t simply throw it up blindly against Bellevue – they have to be precise with Van Ackeren and cornerback Michael Foreman in the defensive backfield.

Speedy Defenses
Kamiakin’s defense has been overseen by coordinator Tim Maher for three decades. Its anchored on the line by end Jon Allen, an undersized but quick player with speed off the end. The school’s all-time leader in both tackles and sacks, Allen routinely chases down ballcarriers running away from him. Cornerback Shad Fletcher has 10 interceptions this season for Braves, which are allowing just 212 yards a game to opponents this year.

Senior lineman Marcus Henry (72) and sophomore linebacker Sean Constantine sack Lakes quarterback Cedric Dozier last week.

Bellevue’s defense has greatly improved over the course of the season and might be playing its best ball of the year. After several close calls during the regular season, including the week two loss to Skyline, the Wolverines have allowed just 28 points in their last four games. Only Timberline has scored more than seven points against Bellevue in the state playoffs. A consistent defensive line and a steady linebacking corp  teams with a strong secondary to limit opponents chances. Sophomore linebacker Sean Constantine has been a real find for the Wolverines and corner Michael Foreman has become one of the top defensive backs in the state. They’ll be tested against Kamiakin’s passing attack.

The Coaches
Kamiakin coach Scott Biglin is in his second season and is hungry for a state title. The former Pasco quarterback graduated in 1997, a year before the Bulldogs won the Class 4A title in 1998. If the Braves win, it will be their first state title. They finished second in 1995, losing to Curtis 49-7 in the Class 4A state championship.

What is left to say about Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff that hasn’t been said before. If the Wolverines win, Goncharoff will have won eight of the last 10 Class 3A state titles and will have two stretches of three-straight championships in that span. The even-keeled Goncharoff will have Bellevue ready to play.