For Woodinville coach Wayne Maxwell, Friday's 24-14 win over Bothell simply means the Falcons are one step closer to claiming a KingCo Crown Division title.

"It keeps us moving in a direction we want to shoot for," Maxwell said. "Right now, obviously, things are going well and we've got our vision of winning our side of the conference."

For a coach whose team last knocked off the Cougars in 2005 and improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1996 — Marques Tuiasosopo's senior season — his celebration was subdued. He knows his team has more to accomplish.

"I look at this season and where we're going, our vision," Maxwell said. "Our focus is great with these guys."

As Maxwell talked, his players celebrated in the background. They know the season doesn't end here, but they couldn't completely contain their excitement.

"It means a heck of a lot," said senior running back Alec Schwend, who rushed for 154 yards on 25 carries. "We're the first class to beat them in a long time. We'll carry the momentum into next week."

The ninth-ranked Falcons (6-0, 3-0 KingCo Crown Division) scored the game's first 21 points. Alek Kacmarcik scored a 56-yard touchdown on the game's third play, and Woodinville picked up first downs on four of its first five plays and scored a second quick touchdown, making it look like the game could be over early.

But Bothell (3-3, 2-1) made things interesting. Aaron Wilks caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Austen Dahl late in the half to get the Cougars on the board. They trailed 24-7 at halftime, but midway through the third quarter, freshman quarterback Ross Bowers floated an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Trent Sewell, who made an impressive leaping catch in the end zone.

After that, though, Woodinville's defense, which has posted three shutouts this season, tightened up and thwarted the comeback.

"It means a lot," said senior lineman Sawyer Whalen, who came up with a momentum-killing sack in the fourth quarter. "We've been working hard all season, working hard all through summer and spring ball. Coming off all these wins, it's a good feeling to finally beat Bothell."