Wild Ride Puts Bothell Back in Final

TODD MILLES; The News Tribune
Last updated: November 30th, 2007 01:24 AM (PST)

A national-record nine-overtime victory in one game last season.

A chance to avenge a 2006 title-game defeat to Oak Harbor this season.

A goal-line stand last week to advance to the championship game again.

“Lucky,” muttered Cory Burk, searching to find one way to encapsulate the experience.

“Amazing,” safety Nate Proulx said.

But not complete.

Not until the Cougars finish the deed come Saturday night, when they play Lewis and Clark of Spokane for the 4A championship at the Tacoma Dome.

“Someone once said, ‘The harder you work, the luckier you get,’ and I think that’s true,” Bothell coach Tom Bainter said. “Call it luck or whatever you want, but the more prepared you are, the more likely the outcome will be favorable.”

Consider:

 • In 2006, an afternoon start went well into the night as the Cougars and Pasco duked it out at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell for a national-record nine overtimes in a 4A quarterfinal game.

On every series, players had to come out cramping. The test of attrition was extreme on both sides.

Finally, Bothell won, 43-40, on a 10-yard scoring run, ending a marathon game and starting a peculiar ride in the postseason.

“After the Pasco game, everyone was like, ‘Wow, we’re a team,’ ” Burk said.

 • Bothell lost to Oak Harbor, 21-14, in the 4A title game a season ago, done in by a muffed punt late in the game.

The two teams held a rematch two weeks ago on Bothell’s home field. This time, the outcome was drastically different – a 42-14 Cougars’ quarterfinal thrashing. Players and coaches have called it the Cougars’ most complete game of the season.

 • Last week, for a change, Bothell hit the road, driving 280 miles to play Ferris at Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium in a matchup of the two top-ranked programs this season.

Trailing 14-7, Ferris put together a late 76-yard drive, faced a first down near the Cougars’ goal line and looked to go in for the tying score.

With less than 20 seconds to go, quarterback Jeff Minnerly never got his hands on the snap, and the ball fell on the ground. A pile of players from both sides pursued.

“I saw a big pile, and OK, ‘Let’s get ready for the next play,’ ” Proulx said. “Then, everyone started freaking out and we had the ball.”

The fumble – the break – went Bothell’s way, and so did the game, 14-7.

“This team, they joke a little more. Before, I considered that joking was horsing around ... and not caring, or not working hard,” Bainter said. “They are not a clone of the teams from 2002, or 2003 or 2006. They have their own personality. But I’ll tell you what, on Friday nights or Saturday nights, they are 2002, 2003 and 2006, maybe a little bit better.”

Todd Milles: 253-597-8442

todd.milles@thenewstribune.com

Originally published: November 30th, 2007 01:24 AM (PST)