4A football: Top-ranked Bothell stops Issaquah, 30-9

BOTHELL — Issaquah came in with motivation, momentum and an offense averaging more than 40 points per game in the playoffs.

However, all season long, Bothell has been stingy on defense. The Cougars had given up a total of 58 points going into Friday night's Class 4A state quarterfinal game.

The Cougars' defense shut down all of the Eagles' positive progress. Defensive ends Michael Hartvigson and Evan Hudson brought pressure all night, stifling Issaquah in a 30-9 victory at Pop Keeney Stadium.

"We demand so much of them," Bothell coach Tom Bainter said. "The expectations are so high and, when we give up a couple of plays, it just frustrates us. It's only because we know how good they are. They do a great job."

Top-ranked Bothell (12-0) advanced to the semifinals at the Tacoma Dome next week and will play the winner of today's quarterfinal between Skyline and Curtis.

From the start of the game, the Cougars' defense set the tone, forcing the Eagles (8-4) to punt on their first three drives. Bothell led 3-0 when Issaquah was readying to punt for the third time and the Cougars blocked it.

That set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell Muller to Kevin Knapp. Muller completed 13 of 20 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns.

"It was all defense," Hartvigson said. "All 11 guys were just flying to the ball. It was just a great game."

At halftime, the Cougars had outgained the Eagles 151 yards to 78, but led only 13-3.

"We felt good at halftime, trailing by 10 points and getting the ball to start the second half," Issaquah coach Chris Bennett said. "We got everything we wanted tonight, we just didn't make the plays we needed to make at the time, and they did on both sides of the ball."

Eagles running back Grant Gellatly came into the game with eight touchdowns in two playoff games, but was limited to 60 yards on 13 carries.

"Everyone was just trying to make big plays, but not go outside the scheme of the defense," Bothell's Hudson said. "We just did our jobs. We've been taught well by our coaches."

The Cougars lost running back Luke Proulx in the second quarter. The junior suffered a shoulder injury, but Bainter said he expected him to be fine for next week's semifinal game. With Proulx out of the game, Colby Burk (38 yards and a touchdown) and Wendell Galvan (22 yards) made enough plays to keep Bothell's offense moving.