A Safeway worker heard the figures 10,000 to 15,000 people.

Bothell Police Capt. Denise Langford offered the number 8,000-plus.

Either way, it will amount to a raucous throng of football fans descending on Pop Keeney Field and its surroundings in Bothell Thursday night for the big one: No. 1 Skyline High (7-1) vs. No. 2 Bothell High (8-0) for the 4A Kingco championship.

Kickoff between the Crest and Crown leaders is at 7 p.m., but many folks will most likely be searching for parking spots and lining up at the Pop’s entrance gates by the opening time of 5 p.m. — or earlier — according to Langford.

Ticket prices are students free with Associated Student Body card, $6 adults and $4 children. Cash only.

“We’re definitely ready for this one,” said Langford, noting that extra officers will patrol the scene inside and outside the stadium. “Bothell and Skyline have pre-sold 2,600 tickets. There’s no maximum occupancy set, since it’s open-field seating. Deciding when to stop selling tickets will be up to the staff at Pop Keeney during the event.”

With the massive amount of people expected for the game, Bothell Police have contacted police agencies in other cities to help out if needed, Langford said. Bothell Police are also working closely with the Northshore School District, Bothell High and local businesses to make sure everything runs smoothly. She stressed that police will be specifically patrolling Northeast 188th Street adjacent to Pop Keeney and noted that parking or sitting on vehicles to watch the game isn’t allowed on that stretch of road.

Bothell High athletic director Yonni Mills said Bothell High staffers are encouraging fans to park at the school and carpool down to the stadium.

On the Skyline side, athletic director Kevin Rohrich said: “I would expect about 400-500 (of our) students to attend the game. It should be a fun night at Pop Keeney.”

Added Mills: “The atmosphere around school is electric. Could this be the biggest game ever at Pop Keeney? Maybe, I bet it depends on the weather.”

Bothell head coach Tom Bainter and assistant Paul Moody were spotted leaving Quiznos near Pop Keeney on Thursday after fueling up with a hearty lunch.

As for the game itself, Bothell finished 5-0 in the Crown Division and Skyline was 5-0 in the Crest.

Overall, Bothell has outscored its opponents 337-24 and has five shutouts. Running back Luke Proulx leads the Cougs with 17 touchdowns and quarterback Mitchell Muller has thrown for 20 touchdowns.

For Skyline overall, the Spartans have outscored their foes 321-60 and have two shutouts. Quarterback Jake Heaps leads the way with six rushing touchdowns and 23 passing TDs while Kasen Williams has nine rushing touchdowns.

Those four players alone should get the crowd rolling and both defenses will be primed to snuff those guys out.

Leanna Albrecht, Northshore School District communications director, had one crucial thing to say about the game: “Get there early.”