A mere seven months ago the Eastside Catholic Crusaders football team basked in the glory of their 35-13 victory against the Bellevue Wolverines in the Class 3A state championship game at the Tacoma Dome.

The Crusaders, who graduated a sizable amount of players from the last year’s squad, are determined to repeat as state champs this fall. Crusaders’ starting running back/linebacker Brandon Wellington believes his team has the right components to make their dreams a reality.

“There is always pressure. We’re just anxious to get back at it. There is not one thing that we’re weak at this year and we weren’t weak at anything last year. We’re young, but we’re reloading,” Wellington said during spring practice on June 18 in Sammamish.

Wellington, who has already committed to the University of Washington football program, said he will likely play on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker/defensive back when he begins his college career in the fall of 2016.

Before Wellington continues his football career at UW, he wants the Crusaders to take care of business on the football field this fall. The unselfish Wellington isn’t the kind of player who is concerned with padding his stats.

“I don’t care what my stats are as long as we’re winning. That is what is most important,” he said.

Recently the Issaquah Reporter had an opportunity to ask Wellington a few questions about his life away from the gridiron.

Issaquah Reporter: What is your favorite eatery in Sammamish?

Brandon Wellington: The Sammamish Cafe. It has good breakfasts.

IR: What is your biggest pet peeve?

BW: Ungrateful people. When people have the world and they are still complaining about things it bothers me. There are people out there who are struggling every day.

IR: How many text messages do you send per day?

BW: I probably send 500 a day.

IR: Who is your pick to win the Major League Baseball World Series this October?

BW: The Seattle Mariners. Even though they aren’t doing good right now.

IR: Who was your idol growing up?

BW: Reggie Bush. He was a freak athlete.

IR: If you could pick one person to go to dinner with, who would it be?

BW: My grandparents on my mom’s side. I have never met them.