Earlier this season, Bothell High football coach Tom Bainter critizized the team for a lack of a fighting spirit following a week-six loss to Skyline.

The Cougars beat Moses Lake 31-13 to open the Class 4A state playoffs on Saturday at Lions Field in Moses Lake, and might have finally learned their lesson.

“We’re starting to believe,” Bainter said. “Sometimes we get down on ourselves, but we did a great job [today.] We didn’t get down, we fought hard and we competed for something. We’re getting better.”

Bothell went on two 99-yard scoring drives and had three defensive stands inside its own 5-yard line, including a goal-line stand late in the first quarter.

“You don’t expect to be down [a touchdown], but it’s likely,” Bothell coach Tom Bainter said. “When the defense stands up and prevents a touchdown, it certainly gets a lot of momentum going.”

The Cougars, pinned inside their own 1-yard line, ran a handful of isolation plays and pushed out to the 20-yard-line. Bothell freshman Christian Galvan capped the drive with an 8-yard run early in the second quarter to put the Cougars on top.

Bothell then recovered a Moses Lake fumble on the Chiefs’ 20-yard line, followed by a 5-yard touchdown run from Jalen Ford to give the Cougars a 14-0 lead.

Three running backs scored touchdowns for Bothell, a rarity this season.

Alex Indelicato rushed 17 times for 109 yards and a 1-yard third-quarter touchdown. Ford added 87 yards and six carries, and Galvan ran 20 times for 82 yards.

The Cougars, normally a pass-happy offense, threw the ball only 13 times. Junior quarterback Jacob Sirmon completed eight of 12 attempts for 89 yards and no interceptions. Ryder Locknane caught a touchdown pass on a trick play from DaVicious Wilson in the third quarter.

Next, Bothell will play the Richland High Bombers in the state quarterfinals. The game is likely an early-afternoon kickoff on Nov. 19 at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick, though the kickoff time has yet to be determined.

Richland is 10-0 on the season with a Mid-Columbia Conference title. The Bombers beat Sunnyside 41-0 in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 11.

Bothell last made the quarterfinal round in 2014, a 37-14 win over Bellarmine Prep, and went on to win the Class 4A state championship. The Cougars are 4-5 all-time in the quarterfinals.