Jalen Ford put up a big first half for the Bothell High football team on Friday evening, scoring three times and rushing for 87 first-half yards as the Cougars strolled to a 31-6 conference win over Inglemoor at Pop Keeney Stadium.
It was only Ford’s fourth game of the year, but easily the most productive in terms of yards-per-carry and scores.
The senior running back has fought through adversity and made grand entrance after missing the first five games of the year.
“It was just my grades last semester,” Ford said. “I wasn’t really paying attention, and that really brought me down. I could have made it up with some summer classes, but I didn’t put in enough work and I had to pay the price: waiting my five games. Now that I’m back, I’m fully ready and ready to play.”
Ford said he feels he is a little more healthy than other players on the team, given that he’s only played half a season, but the first half of the year certainly wasn’t easy.
“I’m sure there were times where he felt like he just wanted to quit, but he didn’t,” Bothell coach Tom Bainter said. “He worked hard, he got eligible. He’s got a great attitude and had a great offseason and he’s prepared. This is what you get when you do all those things.”
Bothell has had a stable of running backs this season, including rushing attempts from seven players against Inglemoor. Freshman Christian Galvan played a big role in the second half with eight carries for 64 yards, but it was Ford’s ground work in the first half that allowed the Cougars to rest a few of the starters.
“He’s made a great comeback, kind of a hero story,” said Bothell quarterback Jacob Sirmon, who completed 11 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown. “He’s working hard. Went through some struggles earlier this season, but he’s coming back big for us.”
The Cougars (5-2 KingCo, 7-2) led 24-6 at halftime, and scored on one of the first plays of the second half — a 60-yard touchdown reception from Sirmon to Kevin Liu.
Inglemoor’s touchdown came on a 20-yard reverse from Kyle Loken midway through the second quarter.
Next, Bothell is scheduled to play the No. 2 seed from the North Puget Sound League’s Olympic Division: A match up with Auburn-Mountainview at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Auburn Memorial Stadium.
“Every team is good now,” Bainter said. “You’re talking about the top 32 teams at this level. It’ll be an away game and a great challenge for us, and we’re going to need to get some kids healthy and get on some backups to perform well.”
The Vikings (1-6, 1-8) are scheduled to play Kamiak on Friday, Nov. 4 at Pop Keeney Stadium in a week 10 consolation game.
Inglemoor coach DJ Baddeley said he viewed the season as a success — though not because the Vikings snapped a long losing streak.
“For a 31-6 game in week nine, if we’re still battling and playing hard, that’s what it’s all about,” Baddeley said. “That’s what we talk about; that’s what we preach. Thats what they’re doing: still fighting. We’ve got one more week to do it and put everything we have into playing our best game.”
Cedar Park Christian 40, South Whidbey 6
The Eagles posted their most dominant result of the season on Friday at South Whidbey High School.
Cedar Park (2-4 Cascade, 4-5) won for the second consecutive week, but will miss the Class 1A postseason.
