Bellevue High School Football Team Bounces Back After Bus Accident

On their way to the Tacoma Dome for a semifinal football game this fall, the Bellevue Wolverines's team bus overturned on I-5. The bus was traveling at 60 miles per hour when a ladder from a pickup truck ahead of them flew into the drivers' path. The bus swerved to avoid the obstacle and flipped onto its side, taking the 40-some football players with it. Miraculously, the players were shaken but no one was seriously hurt. One coach suffered a separated shoulder and bruised spine in the Washington bus wreck, but will not suffer any permanent injury.

Since the I-5 bus crash, the team has not only recovered from the traumatic experience but triumphed on the field. Although the semifinal game was delayed, the Wolverines went on to win not only that game but the 3A state football championship. This is the sixth championship win for the Bellevue team in eight years, as well as an undefeated season for the 2008 players.

The Seattle Sports Examiner has declared the triumph one of their top moments of 2009.