Tigers, Bothell tangle for title

In some respects, Lewis and Clark and Bothell are mirror images whose season journey culminates with tonight’s showdown at 7:30 for the State 4A football championship at Gridiron Classic in the Tacoma Dome.

They are similar in style and statistically close. The unbeaten Cougars shut out five of 13 opponents and have allowed only 91 points. LC blanked three, allowing but one touchdown in three playoff wins, and gave up 137 points in 12 games.

Tom Bainter at Bothell and Tom Yearout at LC have been head coaches at their schools for nearly identical amounts of time and their records are similar.

So are their team makeups.

“They remind me a lot of us,” said Yearout. “They are really fast on defense, really good tacklers in space and when you block them they don’t stay blocked for long. And they are very strong.”

So fans might logically expect a close, knock-down, drag-out, low-scoring contest not unlike Bothell’s 14-7 win over Ferris in the semifinals last week at Albi Stadium.

The Tigers’ run-first attack, however, expects to pose a different defensive problem from the one last week. Bainter often had three down linemen and dropped everyone else back in coverage. Once in a while he rushed four players up front, but said he was loathe to send five, fearing Ferris’ passing attack. This time the team will likely pack in close and involve its secondary in trying to stop LC’s rushing game, said Yearout.

“We have to stay engaged in our blocks in order to have a chance,” he said.

LC’s defense must discern and react to the multitude of offensive formations that Bothell shows and avoid giving up the big play.

“I honestly think we’re two even teams. I’m looking real hard to find an advantage,” said Yearout. “It will be difficult to have sustained drives against each other. My gut feeling is whoever has the short field has the best chance to win it.”

Bothell graduated most of the team that finished second to Oak Harbor last year, although it does return Kingco 4A League MVP Cory Burk, a running back and linebacker.

Reports from Seattle were that the Cougars’ second successive trip to the finals was somewhat unexpected. But quarterback Johnny Hekker, a 6-foot-5, 205-pounder, emerged and they swept the season.

“When you go to the finals two years in a row, you are a good football team,” said Yearout. “They have the feeling they’ll find a way to win. I think we’re getting to that point, too.”

LC’s run was equally unlikely with all eyes on the Saxons. But after losing its last regular-season game against Gonzaga Prep and finishing in a three-way tie for second in the Greater Spokane League, the Tigers have gone on a roll, outscoring their opposition 112-33 in the postseason.

Of those points allowed, 26 came last week against Edmonds-Woodway because of five turnovers.

The loss, Yearout has said, may have been the best thing that happened.

For the past two weeks, LC has practiced in the Spokane Shock indoor facility to simulate conditions in the Tacoma Dome.

The Tigers are making their second trip to Tacoma today – they beat Edmonds-Woodway in Tacoma in the semifinals – as they complete this season of a lifetime.

“The one thing I’ve been impressed with the kids is they haven’t practiced with the idea that second place is a good thing. They’ve really been focused,” said Yearout. “It’s neat as a coach to experience a group with one single thing (in mind).”