November 22, 2007

Bothell vs. Ferris

Ryan Lawson
WashingtonPreps.com Editor

This game will be a battle of two very balanced teams. Both teams pass the ball well, run the ball well and average right around 35 points per game.

"They're a great team," said Ferris head coach Jim Sharkey of Bothell. "They just don't have any weakness - very balanced on both sides of the ball. They can beat you through the air and on the ground."

Bothell head coach Tom Bainter echoed those sentiments of Ferris.

They are the best football team we will have faced," said Bainter. "They are very athletic and they have great team speed all over the field."

This game will pit two outstanding quarterbacks against one another. Senior John Hekker showed great poise and leadership in Bothell's win over defending state champion Oak Harbor last week. Ferris senior Jeff Minnerly is a dual threat quarterback that has rushed for almost 400 yards this season.

"Minnerly is a tremendous athlete. He can hurt you with his arm and maybe more so with his legs," said Bainter. "He's a guy who can take a play that's well covered, break [out of] the pocket and hit his receivers."

There are no 1,000 yard rushers...well not entering the game at least. Bothell senior Jon Kirchner could break the 1,000 yard mark with a strong performance. Kirchner currently sits at 903 yards for the season. However, it was Kirchner's teammate, junior Patrick Ottorbech that turned heads last week when he rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns.

"It's not surprising that he had the game he had," said Bainter of Ottorbech's standout performance. "He will be one of the best backs in the state next year. He's so quick and athletic. He hits the hole so fast and makes you miss." Bainter complimented Kirchner & Ottorbech as a tandem. "Jon will hit you and make you hurt. They compliment each other well. They are very unselfish. They put the team in front of any thing they do."

The Saxons are certainly not lacking in the running back department. Senior McKenzie Murphy has rushed for over 700 yards this season.

"McKenzie is very athletic and very quick," said Sharkey. However it is defense that Murphy projects at the next level. "He's the defensive MVP of our league and is a ferocious hitter," expressed Sharkey.

Ferris sports arguably the best receiver in the state in senior Jared Karstetter, who recently committed to Washington State. Karstetter, who led the Saxons basketball team to a state title last season, has amassed over 850 receiving yards this season.

"Jared is a tough matchup for teams," said Sharkey. "With his size and speed, he's able to create a lot of separation. He has great hands and is a very competitive kid."

Although Bothell must travel to the opposite side of the state, neither coach feels it will provide too much of an obstacle. "I don't think we play well because of noise or support, our guys just come to play," said Bainter. "We're going to try to have the same routine. In the end it's just stripes on the field. We are trying to get into one endzone and prevent the other team from getting into the other endzone."

"It's nice to be at home, but I don't know if it will be a huge advantage," said Sharkey. "You won't get the noise that you get at Pop Keeney."

 

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