BELLEVUE – Ryken Moon leaned back in the Bellevue High School weight room, wearing a Pro Football Hall of Fame sweatshirt. The senior running back and safety wasn’t there for a workout – he was supporting his teammates, linemen Willi Wascher and Demetri Manning, as they signed their letters of intent.
“We’ve got the best offensive line in the country, in my opinion,” Moon said with a grin.
If anyone knows the value of a strong offensive line, it’s Moon. As a key beneficiary of their blocking, he recognizes how crucial they are to the Wolverines’ success.
“We trust our line,” he said. “To play here, you have to have that grit. If you get the rock, you know your brother is blocking for you.”
The Wolverines (12-0) have built their legacy on physical dominance, a tradition that continued in last week’s Class 3A state semifinal win over Roosevelt, 29-13. Bellevue attempted just one pass in the game, relying almost entirely on their ground game – a testament to their confidence in their offensive line. Tonight, they’ll take that same approach into the state championship against O’Dea (12-0), with kickoff at 7 p.m. at Husky Stadium.
“That’s the mentality of the team,” Moon said. “We’re just going to out-physical the teams we’re playing. We’re built for this.”
The Hall of Fame sweatshirt Moon was wearing wasn’t just for show – he’s the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon. Growing up, however, Ryken admits he didn’t fully grasp his father’s accomplishments.
“I didn’t realize how big he was until I was 10 years old,” he said. “I wasn’t really into football. I was more of a soccer and baseball kid.”
As Ryken’s love for football grew, so did his appreciation for Warren’s storied career, which included stops at the University of Washington, the CFL, and the NFL.
People often approach Ryken to share fond memories of virtual touchdowns they threw with his father in video games. “I get that a lot,” he said, laughing. (Full disclosure: I was one of those kids, spending hours commanding the Houston Oilers’ run-and-shoot offense on Tecmo Super Bowl.)
Despite the comparisons, Ryken is forging his own path.
“It’s hard to compare when you play different positions,” he said. “For me, it’s about skill level and making my own path. I’m just focused on being my own person.”
For now, Ryken’s focus is squarely on tonight’s championship game. While still deciding on his college football future, he’s determined to add another title to Bellevue’s storied history.
“You get pushed to the highest level,” he said. “Our coaches are always on us to perfect our craft every single day. It’s hard to play here, but it shapes us into better players because we’re always held to the highest standard.”
As the Wolverines prepare for their biggest game of the season, Ryken Moon is ready to continue the legacy of excellence – both his team’s and his family’s.
