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Mason Kelley covers High School Sports for The Seattle Times. Sandy Ringer is also a frequent contributor to this blog.
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Bothell football avoids complacency
Posted by Mason Kelley
When a team is averaging 45 points a game, while giving up a grand total of 24 points through six weeks, it would be easy for the players to slide into a comfort zone.
On a Monday afternoon practice, it would be easy to take a few reps off. Watch film? Who needs it.
But if there is one thing Bothell coach Tom Bainter isn't worried about, it's complacency.
After all, his players received an extended lesson in overconfidence last season.
"We had come off back-to-back state title games, and we had some talent last year," Bainter said. "We had a lot of guys who, for whatever reason, felt like we could just show up and win. Our effort in the offseason wasn't there. Our effort in practice wasn't great. The intensity wasn't there."
The Blue Train was able to get back on track after an 0-2 start last season. But Bothell players haven't forgotten the lessons of last year.
"Now it's a situation where, 'Shoot, we can't take anything for granted. We've got to come out and get after it,'" Bainter said. "They've done that."
When asked who has been setting the tone for the Cougars (6-0, 3-0 KingCo 4A Crown Division), Bainter reeled off a list of names as long as the list of scoring plays in their box scores this season.
In Bothell's 53-3 victory over Woodinville last week, quarterback Mitchell Muller was 15 of 18 for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Hartvigson caught five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Running back Luke Proulx had 15 carries for 153 yards and four touchdowns. Inside linebacker Ryan Loutsis recorded 5 1/2 tackles. And that doesn't include the contributions of players like Evan Hudson, Colin Porter and Jake Arzola.
"They've just been stepping it up and playing really good football," Bainter said.
For more on what Bothell is doing in practice to stay sharp, check out our notebook on Thursday.
UPDATE - 4:02 AM
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