Jacob Sirmon took a major step forward in 2016 for the Bothell High football team, cutting down on mistakes, displaying a rocket arm and improving his reliability.
Richland High had Sirmon’s number on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick.
Richland dealt Bothell the worst postseason loss in program history, beating the Cougars 49-28 to end Bothell’s playoff run in the state quarterfinals.
An early lead quickly turned into a devistating deficit.
Bothell (9-4) held a 14-7 edge after Sirmon hit Kevin Liu for a 62-yard touchdown. The Bombers (12-0) then reeled off 28 consecutive points to take a 35-14 lead at halftime, intercepting Sirmon three times in the first half.
Richland running back Parker McCary tied the game on a 10-yard run, followed by three quick scores on short fields to end the half. Ben Stanfield scored his second touchdown of the evening early in the third quarter to give Richland a 42-14 lead.
Sirmon finished with three touchdown passes, hitting Ryder Locknane and Da’Vicious Wilson in the second half, and completed 21 of 30 passes for 298 yards. Sirmon finished his junior season with 21 passing touchdowns and five interceptions.
Senior Alex Indelicato led the rushing attack with 43 yards on 10 carries. Jalen Ford rushed four ties for 27 yards.
Locknane led the Bothell receiving corps with five catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Kiu caught three passes for 73 yards, and Wilson caught five passes for 66 yards.
Bothell’s previous worst postseason losses came in 2008 to Issaquah, 31-28, and 2009 to Skyline, 31-26.
Bothell was the last remaining KingCo Conference team in the football playoffs, following a Woodinville loss to Sumner on Nov. 18 and a Skyline loss to Camas on Nov. 19.
Bothell coach Tom Bainter was not available for comment after the loss to Richland.
Next, the Bombers are scheduled to play Skyview in the Class 4A semifinals on Nov. 26.
SUMMARY
at Lampson Stadium, Kennewick
Richland 49, Bothell 28
B 7 7 7 7 — 28
R 7 28 14 0 — 49
SCORING
First quarter
R — Ben Stanfield 8 run (Adam Weissenfels kick), 8:36
B — Jacob Sirmon 1 run (James Johnston kick)
Second quarter
B — Kevin Liu 62 pass from Jacob Sirmon (Johnston kick), 11:22
R — Parker McCary 10 run (Weissenfels kick), 7:48
R — McCary 13 run (Weissenfels kick), 3:27
R — Stanfield 21 run (Weissenfels kick), 2:38
R — Kobe Chapman 5 pass from Paxton Stevens (Weissenfels kick), :41
Third quarter
R — Stanfield 22 run (Weissenfels kick), 10:00
B — Locknane 32 pass from Sirmon (Johnston kick), 6:38
R — Stanfield 35 pass from Stevens (Weissenfels kick), 2:48
Fourth quarter
B — Da’Vicious Wilson 8 pass from Sirmon (Johnston kick), 3:01
Bothell’s Jalen Ford gets upended by Richland’s Josh Mendoza (23) during the Cougars’ 49-28 loss to Richland on Nov. 19 at Lampson Field in Kennewick. GREG NELSON/Contributed photo
