O'Dea Returns to State Title Game in Another Semifinal Classic

11/28/2025

RENTON, WASH

The rematch of last year’s 3A State Championship Game lived up to the hype. O’Dea’s Tevita Nonu’s strip sack in the closing seconds shut the door on Bellevue to send the Irish back to the State Championship. Allias Moimoi accounted for two touchdowns on the ground and Owen Brustkern returned a blocked punt for a touchdown for O’Dea. Bellevue saw Max Jones and Nick Norrah score touchdowns in the loss.

The Irish were vying for back to back trips to the State Championship, while Bellevue aimed for their third consecutive trip to the 3A State Championship Game.

This game was a rematch of last year’s 3A State Championship Game won by O’Dea 38-15 thanks to a 233 all purpose yard performance from Uriah Stringfield including three touchdowns. O’Dea would not have been in that position without the heroics of Lio Banchero who scored the go ahead touchdown with 21 seconds left in the ’24 Semifinal against Eastside Catholic. With O’Dea in the same position as last year, who would imagine what heroics might be needed for O’Dea to return or Bellevue to make their way back to the State Title Game for third straight year.

Saturday afternoon’s game is the third straight year Bellevue and O’Dea have met in the playoffs, with Bellevue’s most recent win coming in the 2023 3A Semifinal (21-17). O’Dea and Bellevue had met in the playoffs seven previous occasions with Bellevue winning four of the postseason encounters.

In the first quarter only two drives amounted to the entirety of the quarter. Bellevue’s ensuing drive ended on a turnover on downs. O’Dea’s drive ended in an interception by Nick Norrah.

The game remained scoreless until late in the second quarter. Lio Banchero’s fake punt led to a first down for O’Dea. Freshman QB Allias Moimoi engineered the Irish down the field resulting in a touchdown scamper from 15 yards out. The ensuing drive led to a punt for Bellevue, and on the punt, Tevita Nonu blocked the Nick Norrah punt and Owen Brustkern snatched the loose pigskin and scored the touchdown. O’Dea led 14-0 at halftime.

Bellevue accounted for 105 first half yards with 65 of them thanks to Max Jones. O’Dea’s offense was largely dependent on J Shaun Wilson ran for 51 of O’Dea’s 101 yards in half number one.

O’Dea got the football first to start the second half. On the second play from scrimmage Keigo Aoyagi intercepted O’Dea quarterback Hutton Leverett to set up Bellevue first and goal. On the ensuing play, Max Jones scored from a yard out and Bellevue was right back in the game. A 14-0 O’Dea lead was cut in half to 14-7. Late in the third quarter, O’Dea got the football near midfield. Allias Moimoi engineered O’Dea into the end zone when the freshman quarterback scored from nine yards out. The Irish missed the extra point to lead 20-7 after three quarters.

Bellevue down by two scores looked into the passing game to bring them back into the game. Nick Norrah played a massive role for the Wolverines in their fourth quarter drive. Norrah reeled in a 28 yard catch and coerced a pass interference call. Kason Carta found Norrah for a 25 yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 20-14 with eight minutes left. Bellevue’s defense needed a stop. Nick Norrah intercepted an O’Dea pass on the ensuing drive to set up four minutes for Bellevue to travel 87 yards to head to the State Championship.

Bellevue methodically converted several third downs even a fourth down when Dreson Jimerson kept Bellevue’s hopes alive in the dying seconds. With 10 seconds left, Bellevue with the ball at the O’Dea 13. Carta rolled out to his left. He slipped and O’Dea’s Tevita Nonu forced a fumble and fell on the loose ball to secure O’Dea’s trip to the State Championship Game.

The win secures O’Dea back to back trips to Husky Stadium in the 3A State Championship Game. O’Dea is set to face Mount Tahoma next Friday night at 7pm from Husky Stadium. The title game is a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal game won by O’Dea 42-21.

Bellevue for the second straight year sees their journey end with a loss to O’Dea. The Wolverines saw senior Max Jones run for 96 yards and a score. Kason Carta threw for 77 yards with Nick Norrah catching 53 of them.

O’Dea’s J Shaun Wilson ran for 73 yards in the win.

The Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game was O’Dea Freshman Quarterback Allias Moimoi with 38 yards on the ground and both of O’Dea’s rushing touchdowns.

If you want to catch the full game broadcast of this instant classic Click Here (NFHS Subscription Required).

The Holiday Day Inn Express MVP of the Game was O’Dea Freshman Quarterback Allias Moimoi with 38 yards on the ground and both of O’Dea’s rushing touchdowns.

Below is our full postgame interview with Moimoi followed by highlights from the game.

ESN Interviews Game MVP O’Dea QB Allias Moimoi