It didn’t take long for the Bellevue Wolverines to impose their will in last week’s winner-to-state, loser-out playoff football game against the Bishop Blanchet Braves.

On Bellevue’s third offensive play from scrimmage, quarterback Justus Rogers connected with receiver Tyson Penn on a 66-yard touchdown pass giving the Wolverines an early 7-0 lead last week. The proverbial floodgates opened for good as Bellevue scored 44 first-half points en route to a 44-0 victory against the Braves on Nov. 7, in Bellevue. Penn said the first touchdown of the game was a testament to his team’s diligent preparation.

“We work really hard at practice every day. That is exactly what needed to happen,” Penn said of the fast start. “Our hard work is paying off.”

Rogers was glad to see the first offensive possession of the game set the tone.

“All of the thanks goes to my lineman first and foremost. They did a great job,” he said. “All I had to do was throw it up to (Penn) and I knew he would go get it. He’s a great athlete. It was a great play.”

The Wolverines were unstoppable in the first half. Sam Richmond, Ercle Terrell and Yofiel Wyle each scored rushing touchdowns to go along with safety Ryan Gilbert’s 6-yard interception return for a score. Rogers connected with Penn for the second time on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 6:53 left in the first half of play as well. Bellevue’s opportunistic defense had four interceptions in the first half and Gilbert had three total interceptions in the contest.

“Our defense was all over the place,” Rogers said.

The Wolverines (10-0) will host the Sumner Spartans on Nov. 14  at 7 p.m., at Bellevue Memorial Stadium. Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff said his team is intensely focused on fine tuning their own game.

“We’re worried about we do and not what anybody else does. It’s the next one up. Surviving and advancing is the whole deal right now,” Goncharoff said following the win against Bishop Blanchet. “The regular season is over and the playoffs are here. We have one down and hopefully a few more to go.”

Penn echoed his coach’s sentiment.

“We don’t underestimate any team. We believe every team we play in the playoffs is good. We’re just going to go out and play Bellevue football and hope we get the win,” Penn said.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com