Saturday, October 6, 2007 - Page updated at 02:03 AM

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ROD MAR / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Bothell's Patrick Ottorbech (6) tackles Woodinville's Jordan Todesco in the first half of the Cougars' KingCo 4A victory.

KingCo 4A | Bothell passes a big test in win over Woodinville

By Tom Wyrwich
Seattle Times staff reporter

BOTHELL — Bothell senior Ben Moschel ran back to the sideline after catching a fourth-quarter insurance touchdown pass, and as he met Cougars coach Tom Bainter, they leaped into one another, meeting shoulder to shoulder before coming down.

The party was on.

Second-ranked Bothell had reason to celebrate Friday night on its way to a 16-0 victory against eighth-ranked Woodinville, the first in-state team with a winning record the Cougars have played this season.

"We're a good football team," Bainter said. "Now we know ... This was a wonderful test for us, one we needed badly."

The Cougars (6-0 overall, 5-0 KingCo 4A) will get tested again next week on the road against undefeated Eastlake.

"This is what I'd hoped," Bainter said. "I'd hoped this would be for the KingCo title, and it just might be. ... It's going to be a whale of a game."

The Cougars had averaged 47 points in their first five games, but they didn't need to be perfect on offense Friday — and they weren't. Bothell gained 217 yards with two turnovers, but allowed Woodinville inside the 20-yard line only once in its third shutout of the season.

"We didn't really hold them all night. They moved the ball down the field, but we didn't break at the end," Bainter said, later adding, "We make you run 10 plays down the field to score, and it's tough to do that."

Woodinville (4-2, 4-2) drove to the Bothell 17-yard line on the opening drive, but the Cougars forced a fumble.

The Falcons didn't get any closer.

"That was such a big momentum-changer," said Moschel, who had two interceptions playing cornerback.

On the drive following the fumble, the Cougars went 84 yards on 13 plays, finishing the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Hekker to Jonathan Kirchner, who broke two tackles before getting in the end zone.

Hekker made it 9-0 with a second-quarter field goal.

It was the same score on the final play of the third quarter when Woodinville attempted to punt, but a bad snap gave Bothell the ball at the Falcons' 28.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Hekker found Moschel on a slant route for a touchdown that gave the Cougars all the insurance they needed.

"We worked on that route at halftime," Moschel said. "It was wide open, and Johnny read it perfectly."

Other games

At Eastlake 57,

Lake Washington 0

The third-ranked Wolves (6-0, 5-0) piled up 554 total yards and held the Kangs (0-6, 0-5) to just 143 yards. Ryan Robertson completed 14 of 19 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, two to Kolby Kemp, who had 79 yards on three receptions. Cameron Hunt carried eight times for 79 yards for Eastlake.

Redmond 31, at Juanita 21

Allen Hall ran for 167 yards and a pair of TDs and Cameron Sandquist and Taylor Gillum intercepted passes to help the Mustangs (2-4, 2-4) get past the Rebels (3-3, 2-3). Trevor Roush had touchdown runs of 11 and 66 yards for Juanita.

Ballard 20, Roosevelt 10

At Memorial Stadium, Julian Montante broke a 74-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Mitch Wall kicked field goals of 41 and 26 yards as the Beavers (3-3, 3-3) beat the Roughriders (2-4, 2-3).

Tom Wyrwich: 206-515-5653 or twyrwich@seattletimes.com

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