Bothell will kick off season against Legacy from Colorado

Cougars finished 9-3 overall last year.

By Andy Nystrom • August 23, 2019 1:00 pm

Bothell High will crack open its football schedule again with a battle versus Legacy High of Broomfield, Colorado. This time, the game will commence under the lights at Pop Keeney Stadium at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 and will follow up last year’s 40-13 road victory for the Cougars.

“It’s a great way to start the season,” said a thrilled Bothell head coach Tom Bainter on the second day of practices. “If you’re a fan around the north end of the lake area or your team’s not playing on a Friday night, and you wanna go see a game, why wouldn’t you see an out-of-state opponent?”

Bothell — which finished 9-3 overall last season and lost in the 4A state quarterfinals to eventual champion Union — has an exciting schedule on tap, said Bainter, adding that four or five of its opponents are top-10 squads in the 3A/4A rankings.

Team bonding was the name of the game at Camp Bothellhood on Aug. 21-23 when the players and coaches resided at the school for football and myriad activities. Life lessons are at the top of the list at camp and throughout the season, Bainter said.

Taking the reins at quarterback this season will be junior Andrew Sirmon (6-0, 174), whose older brother Jacob starred for the Cougars and is a member of the University of Washington squad.

“Andrew is very athletic and fast, he runs the ball well, he throws a good ball. He’ll do a great job for us. The kids love him, they work hard for him. He’s got the locker room and he’s a great leader,” Bainter said.

Senior running back Christian Galvan (5-9, 178) will blast into his fourth varsity season by displaying his hard work and leadership.

Another senior, Tala Tevaga (5-10, 205) is back at Bothell after playing a year in Hawaii and will join Galvan in the backfield. He’s a physical, punishing rusher and gives Bothell the ability to roll out a versatile offense, Bainter noted.

Bothell’s lines will be bolstered by the returning trio of senior Trent Suckut (6-1, 208), senior Elijah Vaotogo (6-1, 273) and senior Chris Bailey (5-11, 220), along with junior Jack Winsky (6-1, 251) at center and senior Sean Witters (6-3, 219) at defensive end.

Jimmy Tucker, Marcus Heffernan and Sammy Stewart are sophomores who should be on the receiving end of Sirmon’s passes. They stand in the 6-1 to 6-3 range and weigh between 180-190 pounds and are ready to unleash their athleticism. Other top receivers are senior Evan Berry (6-1, 175) and senior Jordyn Turner (6-5, 180), whose family moved to Bothell from California.

BOTHELL Schedule

Sept. 6 home vs. Legacy (Broomfield, Colorado), 7 p.m. (Pop Keeney Stadium)

Sept. 14 at Kennedy Catholic, 5 p.m. (Highline Memorial Stadium)

Sept. 20 at O’Dea, 5 p.m. (Memorial Stadium)

Sept. 27 home vs. North Creek, 7 p.m. (Pop Keeney Stadium)

Oct. 4 at Skyline, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 home vs. Woodinville, 7 p.m. (Pop Keeney Stadium)

Oct. 18 at Redmond, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Inglemoor, 7 p.m. (Pop Keeney Stadium)

* Check next week’s issue for North Creek and Cedar Park Christian football previews.