Bothell turned a close game into a commanding second-half performance to defeat North Creek 48–28 on October 16, 2026, using four rushing touchdowns, three passing touchdowns and a third-quarter interception to take control.
North Creek opened the scoring with a passing touchdown after forcing Bothell to punt on its opening possession. Cyion Soeum answered with a 54-yard touchdown run, but Bothell failed to convert the two-point attempt and trailed 7–6. The Cougars' defense quickly forced another punt, setting up Mylez Welch for a 3-yard touchdown run that gave Bothell a 12–7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Bothell extended its advantage early in the second quarter when quarterback Matthew Small connected with Carlin Gochnour for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Colin Dunn added the extra point to make it 19–7. North Creek responded with a rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to 19–14, and Bothell punted on its next possession. The score remained unchanged through halftime.
The Cougars took control after the break. Following a defensive stop, Welch broke off a long run to set up a 23-yard touchdown run, and Small completed a two-point conversion pass to Matthew Hackenmiller to extend the lead to 27–14. Bothell's defense forced another stop before Soeum broke loose for a long run to the 2-yard line. He scored on the next play, and Dunn's extra point pushed the advantage to 34–14.
Bothell added another opportunity moments later when Tre Rockey intercepted a North Creek pass and returned it to the 41-yard line. The Cougars capitalized immediately in the fourth quarter, with Small connecting with Griffin Taylor for a 59-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead.
North Creek answered with a rushing touchdown to make it 41–21, but Bothell recovered the ensuing onside kick to retain possession. Small then found Colton Bryan for an 8-yard touchdown pass, increasing the Cougars' lead to 48–21. North Creek scored again with 23 seconds remaining, but Bothell closed out the 48–28 victory.
Small finished with three touchdown passes and a successful two-point conversion pass, connecting with Gochnour, Taylor and Bryan for scores. Soeum and Welch each recorded two rushing touchdowns, with Soeum's 54-yard run serving as Bothell's longest rushing play and Taylor's 59-yard touchdown reception marking the longest play from scrimmage. Defensively, Rockey's interception helped set up a scoring drive, while Aaron Beyene recorded a tackle for loss and Bryan made a fourth-down stop late in the game. Dunn converted four extra points as Bothell secured the 20-point victory.
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How is it Senior year already? From Jr Cougs to your final Varsity season, you’ve given your all at every down. We’re so proud of all your hard work that’s gone into the amazing young man you’ve become. The early lifts, long practices, endless piles of laundry, first AND second dinners paired with highs, lows, laughter and tears have been worth it. Take time to soak in the moments this year. Work hard. Play tough. Be a good teammate. And always, have fun. We love you, 88!!
Tonight, as I watch you take the field on senior night, I can’t help but remember your first football helmet fitting...and the pure joy in your face and glow in your eyes, knowing that this game was and has always been your passion. Please know that my heart is filled with such pride, not just because of the player that you are, but because of the years of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and determination that you have put into this game and the young man you have become. I’ve watched you put in 110% consistently, push through challenges and adversity, and keep showing up for your team. Your worth isn’t measured by number of TD’s, or rushing yards, or number of passes thrown your way but by your character, work effort, your courage and your devotion to making your teammates better players. Your resilience, character and passion that you’ve shown on this turf are the exact traits that will carry you to greatness in athletics but more importantly in life. But I can guarantee after watching you the past 18 years, that whichever program you decide on will be overjoyed with the hidden gem that landed in the palm of their hands. I will forever be your biggest fan both in sports and in life. I SEE YOU #14. And I assure you, I am far from the only one.
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We are so proud of you! We wish you the best Senior Year! Enjoy every moment and soak it all in. We love you and are excited to see where the future takes you!
We are so proud of the player, teammate, and young man you are, and we are so excited to watch you play your final year of Bothell Football! Leave it all out on the field and have so much fun doing it! Go Cougs!
