BY JEFF WOOD – For Whatcom Preps
BELLINGHAM – It was a third straight home game for the Bellingham Bayhawks, and the third straight victory by a large margin, as the Bayhawks ran away from Coupeville 50-7 at Civic Stadium on Friday night.
The unseasonably warm evening began auspiciously for the Wolves as they recovered a fumble on Bellingham’s quarterback/running back exchange in the backfield on the second play from scrimmage. The Bayhawk defense however, caused a quick three and out, forced a punt, and their offense took over near midfield.
On what would be a theme of big plays, senior quarterback Josh Leonard dropped a dime to the outstretched arms of senior wide receiver Wyatt Stephan for a 49-yard touchdown. That was the first of five first quarter touchdowns on the next seven plays from scrimmage.
Included was another fade of 40 yards secured by junior wide receiver Bly Henderson. The offense also contributed TD plays of 58 and 42 yards by speedy senior Josh Tolle on fly sweeps, and 38 yards by bruising junior running back Tyler Frost.
Tolle would finish with 237 yards on nine receptions, and Leonard had another career day as he completed 14-of-20 passes for 383 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bayhawk defense was stout as well as opportunistic. Senior defensive end Elias Togagae and junior safety Nathan Laas snagged interceptions, and the first quarter ended with little doubt on who the better team was with Bellingham leading 36-0.
The Bayhawks added on during the second quarter with more of the same. Two rushing scores by senior running back Holden Bates showcased his vision and strong blocking by the offensive line. Another interception was added by sophomore safety Owen Hanstead, as the “Bayhawk Ballhawk” struck again with his sixth interception in six games.
The Bellingham starting defense would not let down despite the sizeable lead. 50 yards of offense was all the Wolves could muster through the first half, 24 on the ground and 36 through the air.
Coupeville was probably happy to see the half end as they trailed 50-0. A running clock commenced when the teams came out of the locker rooms. The Wolves managed to get a score against the Bayhawk reserves to prevent a shutout late in the game.
The game ended with a satisfying 50-7 win for the Bayhawks avenging a loss at the hands of Coupeville last season. Next week things get tougher and further from home for Bellingham (3-3) as it will travel to Blaine (2-4) to face the Borderites at 7:00 on Friday.
Bellingham 50
Coupeville 7
COU 0 0 0 7 - 7
BEL 36 14 0 0 - 50
BEL - Stephan 49 pass from Leonard (Isaly kick)
BEL - Henderson 40 pass from Leonard (Hanstead run)
BEL - Tolle 58 pass from Leonard (Isaly kick)
BEL - Frost 38 run (Isaly kick)
BEL - Tolle 42 pass from Leonard (Isaly kick)
BEL - Bates 30 run (Isaly kick)
BEL - Bates 37 run (Isaly kick)
COU - 49 yard touchdown pass (kick good)
COU BEL
21-35 Rush Att-Yards 14-123
10-25-3 Comp-Att-Int 17-23-0
85 Passing Yards 414
Individual Leaders
RUSHING - COU: N/A. BEL: Bates 6-75, Frost 1-38, Goodbuffalo 2-5, Jackson 3-4, Bryant-Pearson 1-2, Leonard 1-(-1).
PASSING - COU: N/A. BEL: Leonard 14-20-0-383, Goodbuffalo 3-3-0-31.
RECEIVING - COU: N/A. BEL: Tolle 9-237, Stephan 3-98, Hanstead 3-31, Henderson 2-48.
