Bellevue ends Capital's run

Grit met the machine, and the machine won, as Bellevue's efficient Wing-T attack brought down the Cougars last night, 28-6.

A crowd estimated at 3,500 watched an overmatched Capital team fight it out to the end, saving its best drive for last against a polished program that has won five state titles in the past seven seasons.

The semifinal victory will move Bellevue (13-0) into a state championship date with Union of Vancouver (13-0) at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Tacoma Dome, while Capital finished the season 9-4 in coach J.D. Johnson's second year with the Cougars.

It was Capital's first trip to the state semifinals since 2002.

"I'm not going to fault your heart, and I'm not going to fault your effort," Johnson told his team in the locker room after the game. "That's what got you this far."

Congratulations to Capital, a team that's improved every year under coach Johnson, and that looks to be fearsome again next season. You have to hand it to Bellevue, though; they run perhaps the most disciplined motion offense on the West Coast, if not in the country. Good luck to Union.