In the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs, the Central Kitsap Cougars face the No. 1 ranked team in the state.

Which has given up only 5.3 points per game this season.

And has not allowed a point in the last 10 quarters.

And the game is played in a stadium known as one of the state's toughest places to play.

Perfect. It just feeds Central Kitsap's underdog ethos.

"It's same kind of mentality we've had since the beginning of the year," Central Kitsap's standout tight end/safety Caleb Brown said. "It's kind of an us-against-the-world mentality.

"Nobody expects us to win the games we've been winning."

And likely not too many people outside of Silverdale expect Central Kitsap's (9-1) — making its first playoff appearance in 10 years — to be playing after tonight's state opener against the top-ranked Bothell Cougars (10-0) at 7 p.m. at Pop Keeney Stadium.

But the Cougars are confident after decisive wins the last two weeks. They beat Gig Harbor 24-14 and earned a spot at state by beating Puyallup 31-16 last week.

"We feel pretty confident we'll be able to do good things," Brown said.

To do good things, you must account for Bothell's defense.

Bothell coach Tom Bainter said his defense gelled three weeks ago and is riding a shutout streak ever since. The 53 points allowed this season is the best for any big school (Class 3A or 4A) in the state.

"I think the thing we do the best is our team speed is pretty good," said Bainter, who lead the Cougars to the state title game last year before losing to Oak Harbor.

Bothell, also known as the Blue Train, crushed Gig Harbor last week in the preliminary round, 35-0. The Tides were held to just 59 yards of offense and they didn't even get a snap in the fourth quarter.

That game, Bainter said, is the perfect example of why today's game should be close.

When CK beat Gig Harbor two weeks ago, the Tides' scores came when they returned a fumble for a touchdown and when a high punt snap gave them the ball on the 5-yard line.

Other than Tides making big plays on defense and special teams, the two games would have looked similar on paper.

Central Kitsap's offense is quite a bit better than Gig Harbor. The Cougars average 31 points per game and several big-play guys. Brown has scored eight touchdowns receiving, twice on punt returns and once on an interception return. Howie McDonald has rushed for 1,619 yards and 17 touchdowns and Jason Simonis has passed for 1,296 yards and 12 TDs.

"We plan to put pressure on their defense with our offense, with our guys running down the field," CK coach Mark Keel said. "We have quite a running game with two running backs (McDonald and H'Arion Gaulden).

"I think they're going to have to have a few more things to account for with us."

The Cougars will also have to account for Pop Keeney Stadium, a notoriously loud stadium. Bainter said there have been extra stands set up in the end zone since the fifth week to seat the large crowds.

"It's like a small-town atmosphere just north of Seattle," Bainter said. "It's always packed."

"We can't get caught up in that," Keel said. "I think that's another thing they have going for them in their place."