When Curtis opens the season by hosting Bothell HS Sept. 1, it is believed to be the first time a Staten Island football team will compete against a squad from the state of Washington.
Yes, you read that correctly — the state of Washington, as in the west coast.
The Warriors will entertain the school that’s located just northeast of Seattle a week from Friday in St. George beginning at 6:30 p.m.
So, how did it happen? Do Curtis coach Peter Gambardella and long-time Bothell head coach Tom Bainter know each other? Is there some other connection that brought these teams from opposite coasts together?
Neither.
According to Gambardella, he was browsing the web when he found something indicating Bothell was coming east and looking for a non-league game.
“They were already coming to the city, even before finding an opponent,’’ explained Gambardella. “I gave them a call.’’
The rest, as they say, is history. Not only did Gambardella and Bainter agreed to open the season on the first of September, but the Bothell head coach and his wife visited the city last spring and paid a visit to “The Castle” to get a look at where his Cougars will be playing.
According to Bothellfootball.net, Bothell is planning to depart east on Aug. 30. Gambardella, who said Bothell is staying at a Brooklyn hotel, is allowing the Cougars to practice on Curtis’ field the day before the game.
Bothell, mind you, has been among Washington’s best since Bainter became varsity coach 24 years ago. According to team’s website, the coach boasts a career 199-62 record (yes, he’ll be attempting to hit the 200-win plateau against the Warriors), but that’s not all. Under Bainter’s watch, the Cougars have captured one state championship (2014 when they finished 14-0) and have reached the state title game four times overall (2006-07, 2014, 2019).
Ironically, Bothell suffered its first losing record under Bainter last season when it finished 4-6 overall.
Gambardella, of course, has turned in a…
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