High School Sports
Hasty steps up on big stage

By Sandy Ringer
Seattle Times staff reporter

ROD MAR / THE SEATTLE TIMES Bellevue's J.R. Hasty takes off on a long run in the first half. He had 271 yards.

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J.R. Hasty wanted to be a part of history.

He was far more than that.

Last night, Hasty was the heartbeat of a Bellevue High School football team that breathed life into the hopes of underdogs in a world where top dogs rarely fail. He epitomized the David who dared to take on Goliath.

Hasty and his Bellevue teammates earned their slice of notoriety, ending De La Salle's astonishing 151-game winning streak — a national high-school record so far out of reach, it more than doubled the second-longest run (72). They did what no other team had been able to accomplish since 1991.

And the Wolverines not only beat the unbeatables, they did so in impressive fashion, 39-20, in front of 24,987 fans at Qwest Field.

No one was more impressive than Hasty, who amassed 271 yards on 30 carries and scored four touchdowns.

It was a game he had been thinking about since Bellevue won its third consecutive Class 3A state championship last December.

"This was about pride and goals," Hasty said.

The pride of Bellevue football and the feeling you can play with anyone — and not just in the state of Washington.

"We know California has some good teams, and we wanted to show we could match up with them," Hasty said.
 
The goal of getting better each week and giving your best effort night after night.

And for at least one night, nothing compared to the exhilaration Hasty felt after beating De La Salle in front of that mammoth crowd. Not the three state-championship rings. Nothing.

"This is about 30 or 40,000 people," Hasty said, slightly overestimating the tally. "This beats state."

It was Hasty who thrilled the Bellevue-biased crowd early in the game, breaking a 74-yard touchdown run the first time he got the ball, answering De La Salle's opening drive. By halftime, he had two more TDs and a total of 196 yards on 15 carries.

Nothing Hasty does surprises Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff.

"He's a great player, no question," Goncharoff said. "I said it last year. I wouldn't trade him for any player in the state. He brought it today."

After the game, Hasty's father, James, lifted him in the air and whispered in his ear.

"He told me he knew I could do it," J.R. said.

James Hasty, a former NFL player who is Bellevue's defensive coordinator, said he thinks college coaches should know it by now, too.

"I think J.R. answered some questions tonight," his dad said. "He showed he's a big-time player."

He showed it to De La Salle coach Bob Ladouceur.

"He ranks up there as one of the better backs we've faced," Ladouceur said.

When it was over, Hasty stood on the field and soaked up the atmosphere. "I'll remember this for my whole life," he said. "I'll be laying in my coffin thinking, 'Hmmm, I beat De La Salle.' "

Even so, last night was just one step along the journey Bellevue hopes to take toward a fourth state title. As much as Hasty embraced last night's victory, it only took a moment before he thought of what lies ahead — Bellevue's next opponent, Friday at home against South Kitsap.

"This day's over," he said. "Now it's time to move on to South Kitsap."

Sandy Ringer: 206-718-1512 or sringer@seattletimes.com