Cougars breeze by Kangs

On a crisp cool Friday evening the Lake Washington Kangaroos (0-3) hosted the Bothell Cougars (3-0). The Cougars are coming off a 54-0 blowout win against Redmond last week and the Kangs are following a 28-6 loss to Davis. The Cougs defense didn’t skip a beat from last weekend’s shut out, even without hard hitting senior LB Ryan Loutsis, Loutsis out with knee injury. The Cougars offense led by Senior QB Mitchell Muller hoped to keep their high octane offense chugging this game as well as king co.

The Cougars defense didn’t loss a step from last week, the defense was swarming to the ball and never let the Kangs offense get going. The Cougars led by Senior LB Jake Arzola took over and forced quick three and out in the Kangs first possession, this was the story of the night. Arzola led the Cougar defense with 6.5 tackles and 3 tackles for loss. The Cougars defense held strong all through the game and only allowed Lake Washington one first down and only allowed the Kangs a minimal 50 yards of total offense. The Cougars defense put up another zero on the opposing teams scoreboard. This is the second week in a row that the Cougar’s special team has scored a touchdown. Junior RB Wendell Galvin electrified the crowd and took a punt back 39 yards for a touchdown, his second return this season.



In the Cougars opening possession Muller led the Cougars to a quick score with a 13 yard touchdown pass to Senior WR Bobby Gagnon; Muller went a perfect 5 for 5 in passing with 118 yards and 1 touchdown. Following that possession Junior RB Luke Proulx found the end zone on a 1 yard run, Proulx wasn’t finished scoring quite yet, Proulx ran all over the Kangs in scoring on a 19 yard run, 13 yard run, and a 23 yard run. Proulx rushed with 73 yards on 7 carries and scored 4 touchdowns. Three other Bothell running backs found pay dirt that night Senior RB Colby Burk scampered in on 2 yard run, Senior FB Geoff Watson followed his o-line to a score in a 42 yard full back wedge, and Junior RB Taven Shumaker got around the Kangs defense and sprinted 39 yards to the end zone. The Cougars put up a staggering 60 points on a weary Kangaroo defense.



Final Score Bothell 60- Lake Washington 0

X-Factor- Senior FB Geoff Watson, if the Cougars can establish their full back in the running game, it will mean lights out for opposing defenses. Watson has the athleticism and speed to be a big part of the Cougar running game. Watson can take some pressure of Muller and Proulx in the backfield with his hard running style.

Game Changing Performance- Junior RB Wendell Galvin, Galvin’s quickness, speed and vision all contribute to his 2 punt returns for touchdowns this season. Galvin can change the momentum of a game with one return, whenever Galvin touches the ball he is a threat to take it to the house. Galvin added to last week’s success in returning a punt for a touchdown against the Kangs.

MVP- Junior RB Luke Proulx, Proulx added to his touchdown total by adding four more touchdowns against Lake Washington. Proulx has the perfect blend of speed, power and vision. Whenever Proulx touches the ball he is always a threat to take it for a score. Proulx is leading King Co with 503 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.

Bothell Stomped the Stangs

Senior QB Mitchell Muller unloads a pass
Photo Courtesy Tony Quintos Photography


On a warm Friday evening football was in the air in Bothell. The Cougars (2-0) took on The Redmond Mustangs (0-2. The Cougars, coming off a 25-0 blowout win vs. O’Dea take on a Mustang team following two straight losses. Redmond puts their wing t offense up to a test against a stout Cougar D led by Senior LB Ryan Loutsis. On the other side of the ball Senior QB Mitchell Muller plans to keep the Cougars high powered offense rolling. This game is the first time UW bound lineman Colin Porter will play his old team (exclusive interview from him, see interview).

In the Cougars opening possession Senior QB Mitchell Muller started off with a bang in connecting with Senior WR John Sullivan on a 40 yard fly pattern, which set up an 11 yard touchdown pass to Senior WR Gene Watson. Senior QB Kyle McAllister scampered in for the two point conversation to put the Cougs up 8-0 in the first quarter. Senior RB Colby Burk took a draw 26 yards and into Mustang territory, that run led to a Muller touchdown pass to Senior TE Michael Hartvigson. In the next Cougar possession Junior RB Luke Proulx followed Burk’s running success with his own 27 yard rush which put the Cougars in the redzone. Muller then took advantage of the great field position and found Senior WR Bob Gagnon for a 14 yard touchdown pass. At the end of the half the Cougars had a commanding 23-0 lead on the Mustangs. Coming out of half time the Cougars wasted no time in which Muller found Sullivan for a 6 yard touchdown pass which was Muller’s forth of the game. In Bothell’s next possession Proulx found a seam and burst through the Mustang defense for a 29 yard touchdown run. Proulx finished the game with 129 yards on 13 carries Late in the third quarter Bothell facing a long forth down conversion opted for the field goal unit and sent out Senior K Reggie Davis for a 42 yard field goal. Davis was calm and collected and boomed the ball through the uprights. When the Cougars got the ball back, Junior QB Braden Foley handed off the ball to Junior RB Wendell Galvin who took it 57 yards to pay dirt. This put the Cougars up 54-0 against a defeated Mustang defense.

The Cougars defense put up another strong performance and shut out a Redmond offense for their second consecutive shutout of the season. The defense didn’t waste time stopping the Stangs wing t offense. Senior DL Zach Cooper came up huge in the first quarter recording 2 sacks and 4 tackle for losses. In the second quarter Senior LBs Bob Gagnon and Ryan Loutsis each recorded sacks on Redmond QB Michael Conforto. In the third quarter the Cougars defense was relentless, Senior LB Alex Walker sacked Conforto, and Junior DL Ryan Romeis forced a fumble which was scooped up by Senior LB Jake Arzola. The Cougar Special teams also contributed in the blowout win when Galvin took back a Mustang punt 60 yards for a touchdown.

Final Score Bothell 54- Redmond 0

X-Factor: Junior RB Wendell Galvin, Even though he is only a junior Galvin showcased his speed and his elusiveness not only at running back but in the return game. Galvin is a nice change of pace player to complement Proulx and Burk at running back and a threat to take one to the house on every return.

MVP: Snubbed last week Senior QB Mitchell Muller proved he was the most valuable player this week. Muller completed 11 of 17 for 127 yards and threw 4 touchdowns with no turnovers. Muller threw the deep ball as well as any QB in the state tonight and picked apart a Mustang secondary. Muller’s has a 9:1 touchdown to interception ratio. On his success Muller commented “I just kept it simple, Coach Moody always tells us to keep it simple”

*Notable Players
-Senior WR John Sullivan 4 REC 51 yards 1TD
-Senior WR Bob Gagnon 2 REC 23 yards 1 TD
-Senior TE Evan Hudson 2 REC 25 Yards
-Senior LB Alex Walker 2 Sacks
-Senior LB Ryan Loutsis 9 Tackles 1 Sack
-Junior K Jon Mercer 5 of 5 PAT
-Junior DL Dallas Gosselin 7 Tackles

Meet Bothell's Ball Hawking Saftey Michael Marriott

Senior Safety Michael Marriott trots on to the field
Photo Courtesy of Tony Quintos Photography

Bothell senior safety Mike Marriott sat down with me to give us a better understanding of himself and his thoughts. You may have seen his bone crushing hits and ability to defend the pass on any given Friday night. Marriott is a well rounded student athlete that is a class act at Bothell High.

How would you describe this season so far? (Matt Fix)
"we are off to a great start" (Michael Marriott)"

Do you feel any pressure being "the last line of defense at safety? (MF)

"Always pressure knowing that if I make a mistake its 6 points on the board" (MM)

Tell me what goes through your head pre-snap? (MF)

"I just think about my one job and trust that my teammates are do theirs" (MM)

What is the most difficult part of playing safety? (MF)

"Having the discipline to not bite on play fakes and stay deep and having the pressure of being the last line of defense against a score" (MM)

Do you prefer the "Big" Hit or the Interception? (MF)

"I've always felt like a linebacker at heart, I love taking on blocks and making a big hit on the opposing team"(MM)

What are you expectations this year as a team? (MF)

"I have the highest expectations for this year. The key is to not look forward past teams" (MM)

What do you love about playing at Pop Keeney? (MF)

"The atmosphere of the fans and playing under the lights, there is no other place like it" (MM)

What is your favorite Bothell Football tradition? (MF)

" My favorite tradition would have to be singing on the bus on the way home after a win" (MM)

What is your favorite song on the bus? (MF)

"Air Bourne Ranger" (MM)

Will you sing some of the song? (MF)

"(Laugh) sorry its kind of a multiple person song.." (MM)

Oh (Laughs) its all good. Thanks for your time and good luck this Friday vs. Redmond. (MF)

"It was my pleasure sir" (MM)

O'Dea's Luck Runs Dry Vs. Bothell

Bothell Senior WR Trevor Hadley leads the Cougs out on the field for the second half.

Photo Courtsey: Tony Quintos Photography

On a beautiful Saturday evening the Bothell Cougars hosted the '07 3A State runner up O'Dea Fighting Irish. Both schools boast elite football programs and was the first meeting between both schools since 1967. O'Dea is always a contender in the 3A Metro conference and were coming off a week one win over Capitan HS at Qwest Field. O'Dea's UW bound Fullback Zach Fogerson separated his shoulder on his first carry which resulted in a one yard loss, Fogerson did not return. QB Gabe Lee and the O'Dea offense never seemed to find their grove offensively, and the Cougs gave the Irish all they could handle on offense. Junior DL Dallas Gosselin had a spectacular night defensively. Gosselin accounted for 9 tackles and a sack. Senior LB Alex Walker and DL Jason Feller each recorded one sack on Lee. The Cougars D was swarming to the ball and overwhelming the O'Dea offense. The Irish didn't find the endzone the whole game and the Cougars got their first shutout of the year.

The Offense led by Senior signal caller Mitchell Muller didn't skip a beat, they started where they left off from last weeks blowout win vs. Issaquah. Muller played exceptionally, completing 9 of 16 passes for 80 yards and 3 TD's. Muller did everything right, He protected the ball and keeping the defense honest for the running game. An efficient QB and passing game means large running lanes for speedy Junior RB Luke Proulx. Proulx ran all over the field compiling 151 yards on 17 carries. The biggest Cougar O-Line in years showed off what it could do in opening running lanes big enough for a bus to drive through. The Cougars got tricky right before the second half with a double pass, this then caught O'Dea's defense napping. Senior WR Gene Watson threw a 41 yard strike to Senior WR Bobby Gagnon wide open down field which led to Muller connecting with Loutsis in the endzone for a touchdown before the half.

Final Score Bothell 25- O'Dea 0

X-Factor: Senior K Reggie Davis, Davis came out of nowhere to become the X-Factor for a high powered Cougar offense. Davis has shown off his leg in two games already booming kicks for touch backs or showing off his accuracy kicking deep field goals.

MVP: Luke Proulx, established himself as the next dominant Cougar running back with back to back 150+ yard games. Huge potential still only a junior.

Proulx dashes away from an O'Dea defender
Photo Courtsey: Tony Quintos Photography

Notable Players:
Senior TE Evan Hudson 2 Rec for 17 yards 1 TD
Senior TE Michael Hartvigson 1 Rec for 4 yards 1 TD
Senior LB Jake Arzola 8 Tackles
Senior S Michael Marriott 7 Tackles

*Revised by Jason Eidem

Blue Train Rolls Over Eagles

The Cougars entered the 2009 season against the 4A Runner up Issaquah Eagles. The Eagles whom derailed the Blue Train's third straight state final appearance last season hoped to start the Cougars off with a loss in the regular season. The Cougs led by Senior LB Ryan Loutsis were going to have none of it. In the first play of the game Loutsis picks off a Ryan Bergman pass, which led to a Luke Proulx 22 yard TD rush. Proulx showed flashes of brillance in his first start of the season with exceptional speed, vision and power. In the Cougars next possession they wasted no time in which Senior QB Mitchell Muller threw a TD strike to Senior WR John Sullivan in the corner of the end zone. With the Cougs up 13-0 they were not finished in the first quarter. Loutsis at Middle Linebacker went on a blitz up the middle and brought down Bergman and forced a fumble in the end zone which led to Senior DL Zach Cooper picking up the pig skin for a defensive touchdown. At the end of the first quarter the Cougars were up 20-0. Starting off the second quarter Junior DL Dallas Gosselin brought down Bergman in the backfield for his first sack of the year and forcing a Eagle punt. Muller then drove down the field and connected a 3 yard TD pass with Senior TE Evan Hudson. Following the extra point the Cougars kicked off and forced and recovered a fumble which left the Cougs with great field position. This led to Senior K Reggie Davis's 45 yard FG. On the defensive side Loutsis was able to take down Bergman once before the half was finished. At the half the Cougars were up on the Eagles 29-7. In the third quarter the Cougars faltered a little but continued to keep up the pressure on the Eagles. Loutsis scored on a 1 yard fullback wedge to bring the score to 36-14. The defense came up huge and killed a Issaquah drive with a defesive forced fumble which was scooped up by Senior S Colby Burk. In the forth quarter the Cougars stuck with a good dose of Proulx in the running game and kept control of the ball. Senior CB Kyle McAllister put the icing on the cake with a goaline interception to bring down the Eagles in week one.

Week 1 MVP: Ryan Loutsis (1 TD, 1 Sack, 1 INT)

Week 2
Bothell (1-0) Vs. O'Dea (1-0)