SEATTLE – As the high school football season kicked off across the state this weekend a few schools had a unique opportunity – to play in the newly renovated Husky Stadium.
With 2:49 left on the clock, the Bothell Cougars got the ball trailing the Coeur D’Alene Vikings by 13. Bothell quickly drove down the field with Damani St. Johns capping the drive on a one yard touchdown run to make it six point contest after a Steven Weedin PAT.
Bothell contemplated an onside kick before deciding to rely on its defense to make a stop.
Samuel McPherson made that stop with a diving interception on Coeur D’Alene’s first play. On the very next play Bothell quarterback Ross Bowers lofted a 39-yard pass to Colton Sather in the end zone as pandemonium ensued in the Bothell crowd and sideline.
After a PAT to put Bothell up 44-43 Samuel McPherson sealed the Bothell victory with a recovered fumble. Bothell’s next opponent will be Bellevue, this Friday at Bellevue HS.
Coincidentally, Bellevue played in the following game as the 2012 national champions faced off against the 2012 4A state champion Skyline Spartans.
Despite the strong support of an estimated 300 Skyline students dressed in all white, the Spartans were powerless against the powerful Wolverines led by legendary coach Butch Goncharoff.
At halftime Bellevue led Skyline by an absurd 35-0. The second half featured much of Bellevue’s second and third string players as Skyline finally reached the end zone late in the fourth quarter.
When the clock hit zero last year’s 3A state champions demolished the defending 4A state champions an astounding 45-7, leaving little doubt about who the premier team in the state is.
As well as this being the first time high school football was played in the renovated Husky Stadium, it was also the first time for many fans inside.
The newly redone Husky Stadium features seating much closer to the field for a very different feeling.
The lower bowl is also no longer rounded and features all metal bleachers as opposed to the old wooden benches. One feature not seen from the field but by walking through the corridors is giant pictures commemorating Husky football, from Erik Folk’s kick in 2009 to defeat No.3 USC to the dynamic backfield of Don Heinrich and Hugh McElhenny to George Wilson, UW’s first All-American.
Husky Stadium played host to some great football on Saturday night and looks to do so for a long time come.
