When, where: 7 p.m. Friday at Pop Kenney Stadium, Bothell
Records: Union (7-2); Bothell (7-2); 4A state preliminary game
AP state rankings: Bothell No. 6; Union unranked
Internet radio: www.carlclick.com
Bothell notes: The Cougars lost to top-ranked Skyline 31-21 last week in a district seeding game. … Bothell opened season with a loss to Mission Viejo, Calif. 49-13 at Qwest Field. … Bothell reached the 4A state semifinals last year, losing to Skyline. … Bothell is a run-first offense that is capable of passing the ball. … RB Luke Proulx rushed for 1,395 yards and 15 TDs, including 127 vs. Skyline last week. … Proulx was limited to 18 yards in the first half against Skyline … QB Braden Foley averages just five completions a game, but they usually result in big games. … Foley passed for 1,411 yards and 20 TDs. .. WR Trent Sewell is the top receiving with 26 catches for 732 yards and 8 TDs.
Union notes: The Titans have reached the 3A championship game and 3A semifinals the past two years, losing to Bellevue both times. … Union opened the season with another loss to Bellevue at Qwest Field. … Union dropped into the No. 2 seed from the 4A GSHL with a 37-34 loss to Skyview. … RB Zak Browning rushed for 1,164 yards and 18 TDs, but didn’t become the featured back until Week 3, when he rushed for 285 yards. … QB Kaben Humphrey-Butler had his best game of the season vs. Skyview, going 12 of 17 for 177 yards and two TDs. … Defense was big part of Union’s success, going 22 consecutive quarters without giving up a touchdown to the opposing offense. … That ended with Skyview jumping out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter last week. The Storm were aided by three Union turnovers.
The Columbian’s take: Both team’s seasons took similar tracks. A season-opening loss at Qwest Field. Seven consecutive victories. Then a Week 9 loss to a “Sky” team. This is the kind of matchup one might expect in the state quarterfinals. Most of Bothell’s passing success came when opponents stacked the line to stop Proulx. With Union’s strong line and LBs, the Titans can contain Proulx without giving up anything on pass defense. And the Titans have shown they can produce on offense, whether running or passing. PICK: Union
