BELLINGHAM – The Bayhawks were down 16-0 before Napavine even ran an offensive play. When the Tigers did finally go on offense, it was a 54-yard touchdown pass on the first play. It was that kind of day for Bellingham, as Napavine came into Civic Stadium and delivered a 71-13 win on Saturday afternoon.
The Bayhawks had few things to cheer about, but did score on a couple of deep passes in the second quarter.
Sophomore quarterback Gabriel VanHofwegen hit senior Kalani Utu on a 42-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline with 2:08 left before halftime. VanHofwegen unloaded again on the last play of the first half, and senior wide receiver Lucas Cousens battled, and came down with a 55-yard touchdown reception.
Bellingham also battled injuries throughout, losing senior Max Rasset on the opening kickoff, and senior Liam Poulton-Claypool in the second quarter. Neither player was able to return, and both were on crutches on the sidelines during the second half.
The Bayhawks (2-3) will have a quick turnaround and travel to Coupeville (4-1) on Thursday to take on the Wolves at 6:00.
Napavine 71 Bellingham 13 NAP 37 27 7 0 - 71 BEL 0 13 0 0 - 13 NAP - O'Niell 87 kickoff return (Holmes kick) NAP - Safety NAP - O'Niell 69 kickoff return (Holmes kick) NAP - Denault 54 pass from Demarest (Holmes kick) NAP - Sandoval 4 passfrom Demorest (Holmes kick) NAP - Holmes 31 pass from Demorest (Holmes kick) NAP - Stanley 6 run (Holmes kick) NAP - Holmes 33 interception return (kick failed) NAP - Safety NAP - Stanley 64 run (kick failed) BEL - Utu 42 pass from VanHofwegen (run failed) NAP - Kelly 20 pass from Wilson (kick failed) BEL - Cousens 55 pass from VanHofwegen (Hanstead kick) NAP - Chapman 40 run (Holmes kick) NAP BEL 27-230 Rush Att-Yards 25-(-25) 10-12-0 Comp-Att-Int 6-21-3 165 Passing Yards 129 Individual Leaders RUSHING - NAP: N/A. BEL: Steeves 4-21, Frost 13-3, Cousens 1-(-7), VanHofwegen 7-(-42). PASSING - NAP: N/A. BEL: VanHofwegen 6-21-3-129. RECEIVING - NAP: N/A. BEL: Cousens 2-53, Steeves 2-16, Utu 1-42, Frost 1-18.
