The news of losing All-State defensive back and 1,000 yard rusher Sam McPherson to an ACL injury did not deter the Bothell High School football team Friday against Eastlake. The Cougars still finished with a blowout victory, 45-14, thanks to four touchdown passes from quarterback Ross Bowers.

Bothell got off to a quick start with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Bowers to wide receiver Dayzell Wilson on the team’s first drive of the game.

The Cougars got the ball back from the Wolves and drove 70 yards for their second score of the game, a 27-yard pass from Bowers to Jackson Kemig. But the 14-0 lead would be cut in half during the opening moments of the second quarter.

A quick drive by the Cougars put them back up by two scores, as Bowers capped the 80-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Sean Hanrahan.

Eastlake would score its final points of the game just before halftime to cut the lead to 21-14.

But the second half was all Bothell. Bowers found Cole Ford in the end zone for a two-yard passing touchdown to start the third quarter.

Caleb Meyer would cap a 60-yard drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown and Steve Weedin’s big leg punched the ball through the uprights to extend the Cougars lead to 38-14.

Meyer put the finishing touches on the game’s scoring with a 19-yard touchdown run.

The Cougars improved to 11-0 with the victory and advance to the quarterfinals against the winner of the Camas and Bellarmine Prep game today at 5 p.m.

Camas is ranked No. 2 in the state behind Bothell, while Bellarmine Prep has knocked the Cougars from the playoffs three-of-the-last-four seasons.