4A semifinal: Kentwood storms past Bethel, 32-24

TACOMA — This year, the Jumbo Surprise was on Bethel, thanks to a not-so-surprising play by Kentwood linebacker Dane Bolinger.

The trick play that helped propel the Braves into last year's Class 4A state championship game backfired in last night's semifinal game at the Tacoma Dome, sparking Kentwood to a 32-24 victory.

The Conquerors (12-1) earned a shot Saturday at No. 1 Pasco (13-0), the defending champion that beat them in last year's semis. Pasco beat Mountain View of Vancouver 21-0 last night in Kennewick.

It was Bolinger, who has made a bevy of big plays this season, who came up with the gem of the night to help Kentwood get to the title game.

With the second-ranked Braves driving for the go-ahead score on their opening drive of the second half, quarterback Johnny DuRocher dropped back from the 5-yard line and held the ball behind his back for Haden Gienger, who was supposed to circle around, take the ball and sweep into the end zone. It worked last year for a 51-yard score for Mark Hitchner in a semifinal victory over Kamiak.

This time, though, Bolinger blew through the line to flatten DuRocher and force a fumble, which he then picked up and returned 86 yards for a touchdown.

"I saw him with the ball behind his back, so I just put a good hit on him and it popped out and fell right into my hands," he said.

It's the kind of play Kentwood has grown accustomed to getting from Bolinger, who also raised his sack total to 19-1/2 with one of six registered by a relentless Conqueror defense.

"He's the guy that always seems to be in the right place when we need a big play," said Jim Sutrick, the Conquerors' defensive coordinator.

That play put Kentwood up 19-10, and even though the Braves (12-1) came back to make it 19-17 early in the fourth quarter on Steve Dildine's lone rushing TD of the game (the first time all season he hasn't had at least two), they never totally recovered.

The Conquerors, who held Dildine to a season-low 73 yards, scored on their next two possessions — both generated by quarterback Carl Bonnell — to push the game out of reach.

Bonnell, making his 40th career start, ran for one touchdown and threw for two others, both to Brent Weidenbach. He finished with 75 yards rushing and 131 passing and drew high praise from DuRocher, who gave the Conquerors their due.

"They've got the best quarterback in the state and a great running back (Kevin Jones)," said DuRocher, who completed 21 of 37 passes for 287 yards and two scores. "They're a top-notch program."

He didn't second-guess the trick-play call deep in Kentwood territory.

"We didn't expect them to bring the house," DuRocher said.

The Conquerors led 13-10 at halftime despite a few major blunders. First, they drew a 15-yard penalty for having 12 players on the field after forcing the Braves to punt, giving Bethel a first down at the Kentwood 36. Bethel drove to the 10, but had to settle for Ryan Alwert's 32-yard field goal after a third-down sack by Tahj Bomar.

Jones then fumbled on Kentwood's first play after Brent Weidenbach's 46-yard kickoff return, handing the ball back to the Braves at their 34. But another sack, this one by Ryan Conwell, helped force a quick Bethel punt.

Soon after, Jones had a 35-yard touchdown run nullified by a clipping penalty. However, the Conquerors still scored on the drive with Bonnell passing the final 18 yards Weidenbach. Then came more bad news — a missed PAT. Kentwood's regular kicker, Anthony Melchior, was in San Diego for a soccer tournament and backup Budd Jardine shanked his first try of the night, leaving it 6-3.

Bethel quickly went back on top on the 32-yard DuRocher-to-Dildine play, but Kentwood wasn't done for the half, either. Jean Coutier's acrobatic catch for a 33-yard gain helped set up Jones' 5-yard scoring dash and Jardine made his kick count for the 13-10 lead.

Bethel 3 7 0 14 — 24
Kentwood 0 13 6 13 — 32

Beth — FG Ryan Alwert 33
KW — Brent Weidenbach 17 pass from Carl Bonnell (kick failed)
Beth — Steve Dildine 32 pass from Johnny DuRocher (Alwert kick)
KW — Kevin Jones 5 run (Budd Jardine kick)
KW — Dane Bolinger 86 fumble return (kick failed)
Beth — Dildine 7 run (Alwert kick)
KW — Bonnell 7 run (run failed)
KW — Weidenbach 24 pass from Bonnell (Jardine kick)
Beth — Junior Wise 27 pass from DuRocher (Alwert kick)
Rushing — Bethel: Steve Dildine 23-73; Johnny DuRocher 10-(-42); Haden Gienger 1-1; Kentwood: Kevin Jones 22-98; Carl Bonnell 12-75; Dane Bolinger 1-10; Justin Forney 5-23; Brent Weidenbach 1-(-1).

Passing — Bethel: Johnny DuRocher 21-37-287-0; Kentwood: Carl Bonnell 7-13-131-0.

Receiving — Bethel: Nate Gall, 7-76; Matt Kennedy 4-36; Ryan Alwert 3-28; Junior Wise 2-60; Marcus Parks 2-18; Steve Dildine 1-32; Haden Gienger 1-13; Peter Lyle 1-14; Kentwood: Brent Weidenbach 3-86; DeAndre Gill 2-13; Jean Courtier 1-33; Kevin Jones 1-12; Carl Bonnell 1-(-1).