EDMONDS – The Bayhawks went on the road, again, and got the same result, again. Bellingham defeated Meadowdale 15-10 on Friday night to bring its record to 2-0 for the first time in six years.
Both teams looked good offensively in the first quarter, as sophomore 230-pound running back Tyler Frost broke numerous tackles to score on a 27-yard touchdown run. The run-heavy Mavericks countered with their first pass attempt of the game going 64 yards for a touchdown.
It appeared that a high-scoring affair was unfolding, but both defenses stepped up to the plate.
Yards were tough to come by for the rest of the game, and Bellingham was able to take advantage of Meadowdale mistakes, which helped guide the Bayhawks to victory.
Even though the Mavericks outgained Bellingham both on the ground and through the air, the Bayhawks forced five turnovers throughout the game, including recovering the ball twice on kickoffs.
Senior wide receiver Lucas Cousens caught his third touchdown pass of the season in the third quarter, this time on a 31-yard strike from senior quarterback Max Rasset. Senior Logan Steeves caught the two-point conversion pass from Rasset to but Bellingham up 15-8.
Meadowdale was able to score a safety moments later, after a perfect coffin-corner punt put the Bayhawks at their own 1-yard line, and the Mavericks tackled Steeves in the end zone a few plays later.
Cousens led the way offensively for Bellingham with six receptions for 76 yards, and Frost totaled 56 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Senior defensive end Liam Poulton-Claypool may have played the best game of his career, as he totaled eight tackles, two sacks, one tackle for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The Bayhawks (2-0) will host Granite Falls (0-2) on Thursday at 7:00 at Civic Stadium.
Bellingham 15 Meadowdale 10 BEL 7 0 8 0 - 15 MDW 8 0 2 0 - 10 BEL - Frost 27 run (Poulton-Claypool kick) MDW - 64 yard touchdown pass (2pt run good) BEL - Cousens 31 pass from Rasset (Steeves pass from Rasset) MDW - Safety, Steeves tackled in end zone BEL MDW 36-84 Rush Att-Yards 33-97 10-13-1 Comp-Att-Int 6-16-0 113 Passing Yards 135 Individual Leaders RUSHING - BEL: Frost 11-56, Wells 6-16, Steeves 17-11, Rasset 1-3, Cousens 1-(-2). MDW: N/A. PASSING - BEL: Wells 5-7-1-38, Rasset 5-6-0-75. MDW: N/A. RECEIVING - BEL: Cousens 6-74, Utu 2-13, Steeves 1-17, Poulton-Claypool 1-8. MDW: N/A.
