Debate continues between Skyline and Bothell fans as to who has the better team. Come Saturday evening, all those questions will be put to rest.
Two of the best high school football teams in the nation will square off at 7 p.m., Nov. 28 in the 4A state semifinals where only one will earn the right to advance to the 4A championship game Dec. 5.
The contest marks a much-anticipated rematch of the KingCo 4A title game — coming nearly a month to the day after the Cougars (12-0) knocked the Spartans (10-2) off, 25-20.
“It will be a great rematch and what high school football is all about,” Bothell head coach Tom Bainter said. “It will be a great thing for the fans to see.”
Both teams bring potent offenses and defenses to the field. The Spartans and the Cougars have each amassed over 4,000 yards of offense in 12 games. Bothell has allowed just 67 points this season, while Skyline has allowed 113.
The first time the two squads met, offensive output was virtually identical. Skyline had 341 yards to Bothell’s 297.
Factors will be different this time around, however.
When the teams collided at Pop Keeney Stadium, conditions were cold and wet, aiding in eight combined turnovers — four from each team.
This time, home field advantage and the weather are taken out of the equation.
And there’s no question, the Tacoma Dome is a venue Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps is familiar with. The BYU-bound senior is 3-0 on the field. He led the Spartans to an epic comeback against O’Dea as a sophomore for the 2007 3A state title. He followed that up in 2008, beating rival Issaquah for the 4A state title.
“There’s no better feeling,” Heaps said, after beating Curtis 49-14 Saturday. “After all of the hard work in the offseason and all of the hard work you’ve done during the season — no matter how big a game is nationally, the Tacoma Dome’s the best thing to play in.”
Bothell’s last Tacoma Dome appearance was in 2007, when the Cougars lost the 4A title game to Lewis and Clark.
Both teams are slightly banged up, with the most notable injury coming to Bothell running back Luke Proulx (1,560 yards, 24 TDs). The junior sat out the entire second half of last week’s win over Issaquah with a shoulder injury.
“He got a little shoulder ding,” Bainter said. “He’ll be ready to go next week.”
Tickets can be purchased at the Tacoma Dome ticket office. Prices are $9 for adults, and $7 for seniors (62 and older) and students.
“We know that coach Bainter and their staff are going to have those kids ready,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said. “They’re going to have a great week of practice and we’re going to have a great week of practice and it’s going to be a heck of a game.”
The winner of Saturday’s game moves on to face the winner of Skyview-Ferris for the 4A title at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5 in the Tacoma Dome.
