Washington’s Top 50 High School Football Teams: ‘Blue Train’ still has a lot of championship talent and experience, but who will play QB for 12th Bothell? – High school sports news, results, videos, leaderboards
SBLive previews the 50 best Washington high school teams ahead of the fall 2021 season. Here’s a sneak peek at the Bothell Cougars of the 4A KingCo Conference – Team # 12 in our countdown.
SPRING 2021 IN REVIEW
4-0 in 4A KingCo (first place).
SUMMARY OF THE COACHSÉ
- Tom Bainter, season 22.
- Overall balance: 185-56.
- Coordinators (basic scheme): Offense – Tom Bainter (Spread). Defense – Jason Rimkus (4-2-5).
REMARKABLE DEPARTURES
LB Gunnar Genoway
DL Gabe Johnson
DL Malik Said
QB Andrew Sirmon
RETURN STARTER
Attack – 7th Defense – 5th
TOP PLAYER
DB / WR Marcus Heffernan, 6-3, 195, sr.
OL Parker James, 6-1, 260, sr.
RB / LB Bryce Kooy, 6-1, 175, Jr.
LB / RB Luke Olsen, 5-11, 205, sr.
DB / WR Sam Stewart, 6-3, 185, sr.
ATH Jimmy Tucker, 6-4, 195, sr.
OL Luka Vincic, 6-5, 275, sr.
TO SEE THREE
Bryce Kooy, run back
Indeed, if the Cougars are a little more conservative on the offensive, that would likely be the biggest beneficiary.
Sam Stewart, cornerback
The defense will still be quick and aggressive, and if teams dare to throw in this guy’s direction it could be a painful failure.
Luka Vincic, offensive tackle
Despite being relatively new to football, Oregon State Commit quickly became the leader of this deep blocker group.
OUTLOOK FOR THE AUTUMN SEASON
Tom Bainter, himself a retired high school quarterback, was pampered by the string of huddle leader signal callers he had in Bothell for his offensive.
The result is annual runs at a league championship – and long stays in the playoffs, up to and including winning the national championship in 2014.
But as the Cougars try to remain the 4A KingCo’s top dog, they must find the replacement for the league’s first teammer, Andrew Sirmon, who heads into the fall.
When the training camp opened, Bainter said up to four quarterback candidates would be considered, accompanied by the Hawaii transfer Logan Lacio, a senior, and Danny Sirmon – Andrew’s younger brother – a sophomore.
Lacio didn’t arrive in Washington until the end of July – and when he was a junior didn’t even play on the high school team, instead he didn’t train.
“He does a great job trying to figure it all out,” said Bainter.
Lacio will likely be below the middle when the Cougars open the season – while the talented Sirmon gets more spice.
“That wasn’t frustration or anything,” said Bainter. “It was a fun challenge.”
What Bothell has on offense is a proven return of depth along the offensive line, led by the left tandem of Luka Vincic (LT), a state of Oregon, and Parker James (LG), a two-year starter. Both were all league selections.
Auden James, Parker’s brother, takes center stage, Rudy Podany and Noah Ochoa take the right side. All five were spring starters.
“On the first day of training we could have used 90 percent of our offensive,” said Bainter. “You were ready to go.”
Bryce Kooy and Luke Olsen are names that many don’t recognize as they walk back, but they will – especially Kooy, who broke his arm last spring.
“Both run physically and are tough,” said Bainter.
The defense is still flying around and is quick, especially in secondary school with Sam Stewart (CB) and Marcus Heffernan (S).
“We have a senior-dominated soccer team that won and went to a state championship game – and they want to go back there,” said Bainter.
SCHEDULE AUTUMN 2021
- September 4th at Moses Lake
- September 10th in Tahoma
- September 18 against Kentwood
- September 25th against North Creek
- October 1st on Mount Si
- October 8 against Inglemoor
- October 15 in Woodinville
- October 22nd at Bishop Blanchet
