Note: This is the first playoff edition of Full Steam Ahead. New editions will come out every Thursday previewing each matchup on Bothell's quest for a state title.
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The Matchup: Round of 32 - Bethel Braves (5-4) @ Bothell Cougars (9-0)
Kickoff: November 7, 2014. 7 PM. Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell, WA.
Preview: Tomorrow night, the Bethel Braves will enter arguably the most hostile environment in the state to face the top-ranked Bothell Cougars. Bethel started off the season looking quite promising, winning its first five games, but has since dropped its last four to Graham-Kapowsin, Spanaway Lake, Emerald Ridge, and Curtis. The game seems bound to be full of emotion as players and students from both sides are already going at it on social media.
Keys to the Game
Bothell: The Cougars need to play the game that they have all season long and come out early to thwart any confident that the Braves may have. A couple explosive plays downfield to Dayzell Wilson or Jackson Keimig could do the job here. Even though Bothell seems to be the better team on paper, they must keep a playoff mentality and go hard on every snap.
Bethel: Even though Bethel's defense has been fairly sturdy most of the year, they will have to be prepared to play the game of their lives if they want a shot at bringing the Blue Train to a halt. Even with a great defensive performance, the Braves would need to piece together several drives against Bothell's defense, who has yet to give up a hundred points the entire year. A couple turnovers would also be needed to have any hope. Bethel will need to have everything working to end the Cougs' season.
Prediction: Bethel's defense will perhaps find a way to stall a couple of Cougar drives, but in the end Bothell will continue to be dominant on both sides of the ball, and the Blue Train will roll to a 10-0 record. FINAL SCORE: Bothell 48, Bethel 6
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The Matchup: Round of 32 - Bethel Braves (5-4) @ Bothell Cougars (9-0)
Kickoff: November 7, 2014. 7 PM. Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell, WA.
Preview: Tomorrow night, the Bethel Braves will enter arguably the most hostile environment in the state to face the top-ranked Bothell Cougars. Bethel started off the season looking quite promising, winning its first five games, but has since dropped its last four to Graham-Kapowsin, Spanaway Lake, Emerald Ridge, and Curtis. The game seems bound to be full of emotion as players and students from both sides are already going at it on social media.
Keys to the Game
Bothell: The Cougars need to play the game that they have all season long and come out early to thwart any confident that the Braves may have. A couple explosive plays downfield to Dayzell Wilson or Jackson Keimig could do the job here. Even though Bothell seems to be the better team on paper, they must keep a playoff mentality and go hard on every snap.
Bethel: Even though Bethel's defense has been fairly sturdy most of the year, they will have to be prepared to play the game of their lives if they want a shot at bringing the Blue Train to a halt. Even with a great defensive performance, the Braves would need to piece together several drives against Bothell's defense, who has yet to give up a hundred points the entire year. A couple turnovers would also be needed to have any hope. Bethel will need to have everything working to end the Cougs' season.
Prediction: Bethel's defense will perhaps find a way to stall a couple of Cougar drives, but in the end Bothell will continue to be dominant on both sides of the ball, and the Blue Train will roll to a 10-0 record. FINAL SCORE: Bothell 48, Bethel 6