The Matchup: Burger King State Champion Bowl Series - Bothell Cougars (14-0) vs. Miami Central [FL] Rockets (14-1)
Kickoff: December 27, 2014. 1 PM PST. FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, FL.
Television: ESPN U (Comcast Channel 621, DirecTV Channel 208)
Preview: The Washington 4A State Champion Bothell Cougars meet up with the Florida 6A State Champion Miami Central Rockets in the inaugural edition of the Burger King State Champion Bowl Series. The Rockets enter the game ranked sixth by USA Today, while the Cougars enter the game ranked 15th. Miami Central won their fourth state championship in just five years two weeks ago, but they are without their regular head coach Roland Smith and star wide receiver Da'vante Phillips, who will both be participating in All-American Games just a week from now. In contrast, Bothell will not be without anybody except Sam McPherson, who was injured back in week 10. The matchup is shaping up to be a good one in front of a national audience.
Keys to the Game:
Bothell: To have any chance against Central, the offense will have to be firing on all cylinders. Bowers will have to hit Wilson for several big plays. Miami Central does well on both side of the ball obviously, but their offense can be lacking at times, even though they play against strong Florida teams. The Cougar defense will get stops against the Rockets, but the key will be to score points off those stops and give Miami Central all they can handle.
Miami Central: The key for the Rockets is plain and simple: don't let Bothell have anything in the run game, something that they are surely capable of doing. This will force the Cougars to rely completely on their pass game, something that they haven't had to do all year. With no run game, the pass game will become more predictable and much more manageable. If the Rockets shut down the Cougars on the ground, then they will stroll to a victory.
Prediction: The Cougars will catch Miami Central off guard early and get a run game working. This will open the door for some early Bothell points. As the game progresses, Central will adjust and bring the Cougar ground game to a halt. Despite a slow start, the Rockets' defense will be successful late in the game. These stops will be prevalent enough to finally bring Bothell's undefeated season to an end. FINAL SCORE: Miami Central 31, Bothell 27
Kickoff: December 27, 2014. 1 PM PST. FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, FL.
Television: ESPN U (Comcast Channel 621, DirecTV Channel 208)
Preview: The Washington 4A State Champion Bothell Cougars meet up with the Florida 6A State Champion Miami Central Rockets in the inaugural edition of the Burger King State Champion Bowl Series. The Rockets enter the game ranked sixth by USA Today, while the Cougars enter the game ranked 15th. Miami Central won their fourth state championship in just five years two weeks ago, but they are without their regular head coach Roland Smith and star wide receiver Da'vante Phillips, who will both be participating in All-American Games just a week from now. In contrast, Bothell will not be without anybody except Sam McPherson, who was injured back in week 10. The matchup is shaping up to be a good one in front of a national audience.
Keys to the Game:
Bothell: To have any chance against Central, the offense will have to be firing on all cylinders. Bowers will have to hit Wilson for several big plays. Miami Central does well on both side of the ball obviously, but their offense can be lacking at times, even though they play against strong Florida teams. The Cougar defense will get stops against the Rockets, but the key will be to score points off those stops and give Miami Central all they can handle.
Miami Central: The key for the Rockets is plain and simple: don't let Bothell have anything in the run game, something that they are surely capable of doing. This will force the Cougars to rely completely on their pass game, something that they haven't had to do all year. With no run game, the pass game will become more predictable and much more manageable. If the Rockets shut down the Cougars on the ground, then they will stroll to a victory.
Prediction: The Cougars will catch Miami Central off guard early and get a run game working. This will open the door for some early Bothell points. As the game progresses, Central will adjust and bring the Cougar ground game to a halt. Despite a slow start, the Rockets' defense will be successful late in the game. These stops will be prevalent enough to finally bring Bothell's undefeated season to an end. FINAL SCORE: Miami Central 31, Bothell 27