Edmonds-Woodway High School football coach John Gradwohl is just glad he didn’t have to go through what Bothell, his team’s next opponent, went through last week.
A couple hours before Gradwohl’s Warriors took the field Saturday at Pop Keeney Stadium to play Woodinville, the Bothell Cougars concluded a 43-40 nine-overtime marathon victory over Pasco.
Gradwohl didn’t see the game live, but watched it later on tape. “That was a lot of stress,” he said.
By outlasting Pasco, the Cougars earned a semifinal berth opposite Edmonds-Woodway at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.
“They’re a lot like us,” Gradwohl said. “They can run and they can pass.
“They play great team defense like Kamiak and they run around a lot like Shorecrest on defense. They’re not the biggest team, but they hustle and play great team defense.”
Gradwohl said having Thanksgiving Day in the middle of the week leading up to the big game is helpful to his team’s preparation.
“My guys feel they are part of a family and that’s what Thanksgiving is all about, spending time together,” Gradwohl said.
The Warriors practiced Thursday then went home to their families. They’ll eat together today.
Here’s a look at both Class 4A semifinals:
Bothell vs. Edmonds-Woodway
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.
Records: Bothell is 11-1. Edmonds-Woodway is 12-0.
Playoff history: Each team is making its first state semifinal appearance. Bothell’s previous bests were quarterfinal appearances in 2002 and 2003. Edmonds-Woodway’s previous bests were first-round appearances in 2004 and 2005.
Last week: Luke Jones scored on a 10-yard run in the ninth overtime to give Bothell a 43-40 win over Pasco.
Edmonds-Woodway quarterback Kyle McCartney completed 12 of 19 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown in a 13-3 victory over Woodinville.
Players to watch: Jon Kirchner, Bothell’s leading rusher, carried 21 times for 132 yards last week, but left the game before it ended with a leg injury. Quarterback Cody Atkinson has topped 1,000 yards passing. Blake Ward and Marc Mulholland are his top receivers.
Josh Heard leads Edmonds-Woodway in rushing with 223 carries for 1,654 yards and 26 TDs. McCartney is 112-for-175 for 1,935 yards and 26 TDs. Eric Greenwood (42 catches, 762 yards) is the Warriors’ top receiver. But Tony Heard (17 catches, 347 yards), Antoinne Wafer (31 catches, 449 yards) and Casey Hamlett (21 catches, 342 yards) must all be covered.
Breaking down the game: Both teams bring the defense, but Edmonds-Woodway has a size advantage and more options on offense.
John McDonald’s pick: Edmonds-Woodway 17-7.
Mike Cane’s pick: Edmonds-Woodway 20-17.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Edmonds-Woodway 21-14.
Oak Harbor vs. Gonzaga Prep
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday at Joe Albi Stadium, Spokane.
Records: Both teams are 11-1. However, Gonzaga Prep’s loss was the result of having to forfeit a victory over Bellarmine Prep.
Playoff history: Oak Harbor is making its first semifinal appearance. It’s previous best was a quarterfinal appearance last year. Gonzaga Prep is making its first semifinal appearance since 2004. The Bullpups won the state title in 1986.
Last week: Oak Harbor quarterback Marshall Lobbestael completed 20 of 30 passes for 345 yards and two TDs in a 26-22 victory over Skyview. He also ran for a touchdown and threw a 39-yard pass to Jeff Lamont to set up Tony Thulin’s 4-yard run for the game-winning TD in the last 1 1/2 minutes of play.
Behind 20-0 with five minutes to play, Gonzaga Prep managed three touchdown drives, scoring the game-winner on quarterback Max Manix’s 4-yard pass to Phil Joy with 19 seconds to play in a 21-20 win over Eastlake.
Players to watch: Lobbestael is 157-for-279 for 2,429 yards and 30 TDs. The Wildcats have five receivers with 250 or more yards: Rodrick Rumble (36 catches, 639 yards), Thulin (20 catches, 462 yards), Lamont (28 catches, 382 yards), Brendan Kays (27 catches, 328 yards) and Jake Rouser (18 catches, 257 yards). Chris Valencia (170 carries, 973 yards) heads up the ground game.
Manix was 11-for-27 for 153 yards and three TDs against Eastlake. He threw TD passes of 10, 21 and 4 yards. He also ran 22 times for 110 yards.
Breaking down the game: Both teams showed a lot of resiliency last week. Oak Harbor is a little bit better on offense. Gonzaga Prep is a little bit better on defense. Oak Harbor has to travel, though, and Gonzaga Prep is playing at home.
John McDonald’s pick: Gonzaga Prep 35-34 (2 OT).
Mike Cane’s pick: Oak Harbor 27-21.
Tom Lafferty’s pick: Gonzaga Prep 28-17.
Herald prep editor John McDonald and Herald writer Mike Cane were 3-0 on their picks last week KRKO radio broadcaster Tom Lafferty was 2-1. McDonald is 34-10 for the season. Cane is 32-12. Lafferty is 30-14.
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