Class 4A quarterfinal football matchup
Issaquah (9-2) at Bothell (11-0)
Friday, 7 p.m., Pop Keeney Stadium, Bothell
About Issaquah – After a rocky start, Issaquah regrouped to make the playoffs, then once there, started looking more like the team that made a deep playoff run last season. Senior quarterback Ryan Bergman has had a big season, completing 58 percent of his passes for 2,442 yards and 27 touchdowns with seven interceptions. His top receiver is Evan Peterson (81 catches, 1,464 yards, 19 touchdowns). Running backs Taylor Wyman and Grant Gellatly have both proven to be effective. Gellatly has rushed for 404 yards in two playoff games.
About Issaquah’s coach – This is Chris Bennett’s second season as head coach at Issaquah. In his first season, the Eagles advanced to the 4A state finals, losing to Skyline, 20-15. Bennett graduated from Newport High School and went to Washington State University.
Chris Bennett on Bothell: "This will be the fourth time these teams have played in a year. Issaquah beat Bothell twice last year, including 31-28 in the quarterfinals. Bothell won the opening meeting this year at Qwest Field (36-14)."
About Bothell – No has stopped the Blue Train this season. Not even Skyline, which lost to Bothell, 25-20, in the Kingco Conference title game. Senior quarterback Mitchell Mueller passed for 277 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in a 57-14 victory over Rogers of Puyallup last week. Junior Luke Proulx leads the running attack. Bothell has two players who have given verbal commitments to the University of Washington: guard Colin Porter (6-4, 300) and tight end Michael Hartvigson (6-6, 235). Hartvigson is a force at defensive end as well.
About Bothell’s coach – Tom Bainter is in his 10th season at Bothell. He attended Evergreen High School in Seattle and Western Washington University, where he played free safety. Bainter’s Cougars have been Kingco Conference champions three of the past four seasons.
The pick– Even though Issaquah has improved since its first meeting against Bothell in the season opener, the Cougars just have too much. Bothell, 37-20.
Ron Newberry, CoachesAid.com
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