4A Football | A team and a QB grow in Bothell

Bothell Cougars

Coach: Tom Bainter, 75-17 in 8 seasons at Bothell.

Season snapshot: 13-0 overall, 8-0 in KingCo 4A. Went undefeated in KingCo 4A for second consecutive year to return to state-championship game. Beat No. 5 Eastlake and No. 10 Woodinville during season. Beat No. 8 Central Kitsap, No. 4 Oak Harbor and No. 2 Ferris in the state playoffs.

Scouting report: Disciplined, swarming defense might be even better than last year, led by Cory Burk, KingCo 4A defensive player of year. Cougars haven't seen a bruiser like Lewis and Clark RB Alex Shaw this season. Senior QB Johnny Hekker, at 6 feet 5, throws bullets and has made better reads of late. RBs Jon Kirchner and Patrick Ottorbech have combined for 15 touchdowns.

Three to watch

• LB Cory Burk (5-8, 170, Sr.), An excellent tackler and great return man, with four touchdowns. Also a wild card on offense.

• QB Johnny Hekker (6-5, 205, Sr.). Pocket quarterback has thrown for 1,981 yards and 21 touchdowns.

• RB Jon Kirchner (5-11, 196, Sr.) Bruising runner has gained 972 yards and scored 10 times.

8 Number of times Bothell has allowed 7 or fewer points this season.

Playoff pedigree: Second consecutive year in state finals. Lost 21-14 to Oak Harbor in 2006 final. Fifth trip to state under Bainter. Advanced to quarterfinals in 2002 and 2003, losing by 10 points combined. Lost in first round in 2000.

Quick kick: "You've got to have some fortune go your way. The harder I work, the luckier I get." — Bainter, on Bothell's runs to the title game the past two seasons.

Inside slant: The past two seasons, Bothell has broken in five new offensive linemen, yet managed to make it to the championship game both times.

Tom Wyrwich

Lewis and Clark Tigers

Coach: Tom Yearout, 50-18 in 8 seasons at L-C.

Season snapshot: 10-2 overall, 6-2 three-way tie for second in Greater Spokane League. Won 2 of 3 critical early season games, beating Central Valley and Mead (in overtime) to secure inside track to playoffs. After regular-season-ending upset loss to Gonzaga Prep, Tigers then went on 4-game playoff journey, school's first postseason wins since 1978.

Scouting report: Aggressive defensive line, led by tackles Steve Johnson and Charles Taylor, has been tough to run against. Good speed at all positions. Shaw has been offensive focal point, but junior QB Taylor Eglet was 27 of 32 for 293 yards, 3 TDs against Woodinville and Inglemoor.

Three to watch

• RB/LB Alex Shaw (6-2, 220, Sr.) has 20 TDs and 1,479 rushing yards, but Yearout considers him a potential Division I college player on defense.

• QB Taylor Eglet (6-1, 180, Jr.) second-year starter is 115 of 195 for 1,399 yards, 10 TDs.

• OT Isaac Fry (5-10, 203, Sr.) two-time All-GSL lineman is anchor of Tigers' offense.

7 Total points allowed by Tigers defense in its first three playoff wins.

Playoff pedigree: 7th state appearance, first time to state finals. Tigers were state semifinalists in '78.

Quick kick: "Since halftime of the Gonzaga Prep game it's been hard to find guys on film not playing hard." — Yearout.

Inside slant: Assistant coaches Dave Hughes and Trevor Mott switched places, Hughes to the offensive line where he installed blocking scheme, and Mott to defensive line that has excelled.

Mike Vlahovich

4A Football | A team and a QB grow in Bothell

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