Football Notebook | Bothell linebacker pictures success

By Tom Wyrwich
Seattle Times staff reporter

Each week, Bothell linebacker Cory Burk tries to find a picture of the opposing team's running back. He cuts it out and tapes it to his wallet so that several times a day, he's reminded of the guy he has to stop.

After Tuesday night's practice, he was scrambling for a picture of Lewis and Clark's Alex Shaw, who will lead the Spokane team into Saturday night's Class 4A championship game against Bothell at the Tacoma Dome.

Shaw, the Tigers' 6-foot-2, 215-pound bruiser, is unlike any running back the Cougars have seen this season.

"He always runs forward for two more yards," Bothell coach Tom Bainter said. "In the KingCo, there's not that big bruising kind of running back."

Shaw has run for more than 400 yards in the past two games, wins against Inglemoor and Edmonds-Woodway. Bainter says stopping Shaw is the Bothell defense's top priority.

"They're not going to try and trick you," Bainter said. "What they want to do is give it to Shaw."

O'Dea secondary ready

Facing a Skyline attack with more than 30 passing touchdowns, O'Dea safety Johri Fogerson thinks the Irish secondary is up to the task in Friday night's Class 3A championship game.

"Our defensive backs are big and fast," he said. "Not only do we all find the ball, but everyone out there can hit you and hit you hard."

Winning from behind

When Franklin Pierce went ahead 14-6 against Skyline last Saturday, it was only the second time the Spartans had trailed in a game this season.

"We weren't ourselves," said wide receiver Gino Simone. "We haven't been down since the Mercer Island game" on Sept. 7, when Skyline fell behind 7-0 on the opening kickoff before winning 48-13.

The Skyline defense not only didn't allow a point after the first quarter against Franklin Pierce, it scored three times.

"The defense stepped up and played like it has all year," quarterback Jake Heaps said.

Notes

• O'Dea fullback Zach Fogerson (elbow) is expected to play Friday, but Irish quarterback Donny Lisowski (knee) is day-to-day and expected to be a game-time decision.

• Bothell senior linebacker/fullback Trey Burwick returned to practice this week, but it remains doubtful he'll be ready to play Saturday. Burwick broke his left fibula in a game against Gig Harbor on Nov. 3. His recovery has been faster than expected.

Freelancer Joshua Mayers contributed to this report.