SAMMAMISH — After flying down and knocking off a California power last week, Bellevue players had a built-in excuse. The Wolverines had a short week to prepare and an opportunity to revel in the headlines and their national rankings.

However, this group came into Friday's game wanting to live up to its motto and take the next step in leaving a legacy.

Skyline wasn't about to go quietly in a matchup of the state's top-two programs. But in the second half the Wolverines' defense delivered, forcing turnovers and making big stops deep in their territory during a 31-17 victory over the Spartans in front of a packed house at Skyline High School.

"It's Skyline-Bellevue and it lived up to that," Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff said.

The Wolverines (2-0) shut out the Spartans' high-powered offense in the second half, forcing turnovers — including Sean Constantine's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter — and making two pivotal fourth-down stops in the fourth quarter that kept Skyline from getting back in the game.

"It shows a lot about our defense, how we're always on it," Constantine said. "We never give up. We're determined to win state and be the best in the nation."

Skyline (1-1) marched 80 yards on the game's opening drive, benefiting from a 43-yard pass from quarterback Max Browne to Taggart Krueger that went through the hands of a Bellevue defender. Damian Greene capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

"I was very proud of our effort," Spartans coach Mat Taylor said. "Our kids fought. They never gave up. Give Bellevue credit. It's not that they were all unforced turnovers. They helped force some of those, too."

The Wolverines scored the next 17 points. Mitch Johnson hit a 33-yard field goal, Andy Boulware had a 16-yard touchdown run and Joey Moore scored on a 14-yard run.

Just when it looked like the Wolverines, ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 3A and No. 15 in the nation according to USA Today's Super 25, were pulling away, Skyline stormed back.

The top-ranked team in 4A, which opened the game running the football, went to its signature passing attack as the game progressed, riding Browne's arm to 10 second-quarter points, including a 14-yard touchdown toss to Nic Sblendorio with 18.8 seconds left in the half that tied the game at 17.

Browne, one of the top junior quarterbacks in the country, completed 24 of 34 passes for 300 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Bellevue struck quickly in the third quarter with Tyler Hasty hitting Bishard Baker on a 59-yard pass that eventually led to Hasty's 4-yard touchdown run. Bellevue's defense then took over.

"It shows we can compete with 4A and 3A," said Hasty, who threw for 161 yards. "We can go against almost any team — (even in) California — and we can compete with them, we can stay with them and we can win."

Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com