Galliher backs Bombers’ run

There’s something about the order of football that just excites Brecken Galliher.

“There is something about stuffing a team,” said Galliher, a senior for the Richland football team. “I just love how a team comes together. Each player has an assignment, and when everyone does their assignment and things work, it’s great.”

It’s worked great so far for Galliher and his Richland teammates, who take on Gonzaga Prep at 1 p.m. today at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco in a Class 4A semifinal game. The winner advances to the state finals in Tacoma next weekend.

The Bombers are 11-1, with their only loss this season a 13-10 decision in the opener. The Bullpups are 12-0.

Galliher has been one of the leaders of the Bombers defense, and in each state playoff game — a 30-3 rout of Central Valley and a 28-23 decision over Moses Lake — he has had a Pick-6.

Richland coach Mike Neidhold says the reason Galliher seems to be in the right place at the right time is simple: He’s smart.

“He’s a team captain for a reason,” said Neidhold. “He’s a real smart kid academically. He’s watched a lot of film. The defense especially watches a lot of film. That was one of our commitments this offseason.”

So Galliher studies. He’s not overly boisterous on the field. But he gets his job done.

“He’s the quiet leader,” said Neidhold. “He doesn’t say much, but when he does, everyone listens. I’ve had him in two of my classes, and when he speaks in class, everyone stops to listen. He was quiet last season. He played hard, and he was probably our best defender last year.”

This year, he is among the best the Bombers have to offer.

He did well enough that he was named first-team All-Mid-Columbia Conference as a tight end and a linebacker.

But ask him which side of the ball he likes to play on more, and it’s no contest.

“Defense,” Galliher said.

That defense has been a swarming, aggressive unit that takes pride in taking the ball away from the offense.

“It’s kind of a mentality we have,” Galliher said. “We want to get (the offensive player with the ball) on the ground, then take the ball. The first guy wraps him up, the next guy tries to strip the ball.”

Galliher also plays for the Richland boys basketball team, where he loves to pound the boards for rebounds, then get the outlet pass to stars Steven Beo and Landon Radliff.

“He’d love to play football at the next level,” said Neidhold, who said he’s received interest from Eastern Washington, Whitworth, Central Washington and College of Idaho. “But he’s not worried about that right now. He wants to get this team to another Monday. He appreciates his teammates.”

Galliher has just been anjoying this ride.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect us to be this good at the beginning of the season,” Galliher admits. “It was the Kamiakin game this season when I realized we could be good. I knew then we could go deep into the playoffs.”

A win today, and the Bombers will go as deep as they can get. To the finals.

NOTES: This is a rematch from Sept. 4 at Fran Rish Stadium, when the Bullpups beat the Bombers 13-10, handing Richland its only loss. ... In that game, Richland failed to score an offensive TD. Alex Chapman returned an interception for a touchdown, and kicker Ryan Wolski had two field goals. ... Richland’s offense, led by quarterback Paxton Stevens and lead running back Lakota Wills, have improved immensely since that game. ... Neidhold admits special teams must play better than the last time these two teams met. Prep blocked two other Wolski field-goal attempts. ... Running back Evan Weaver scored four touchdowns for Gonzaga Prep in last week’s 28-18 win over Woodinville last weekend in the quarterfinals. He’s committed to California. ... Richland fans are asked to fill the school’s praking lot at 10 a.m. Saturday to see the team off. Fans will be lining Wellsian Way. There will be a tailgate party from 10 a.m. to noon at Edgar Brown Stadium before kickoff.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 11:17 PM with the headline "Galliher backs Bombers’ run."