BLAINE – The Golden Eagles found multiple ways to get the ball into the hands of Thomas Broselle. The 6-foot-1 185-pound senior had over 100 yards rushing, over 100 yards receiving and over 150 yards in kickoff returns to help lead Ferndale to a 55-35 win over Monroe at Blaine High School on Saturday night.
The Bearcats did get on the board first after recovering a Ferndale fumble, but the lead wouldn’t last long, as junior running back Isaiah Carlson punched in his first touchdown of the season from nine yards out. Carlson led Whatcom County with 15 rushing touchdowns last season.
After the Golden Eagle defense forced a punt on the following possession, Ferndale went to the air on the opening play of its next drive and senior quarterback Mark Schlichting found Broselle wide open down the middle of the field for a 69-yard touchdown.
Monroe continued to chip away, but every time the Bearcats scored a touchdown, the Golden Eagles would score two.
Schlichting had an impressively efficient game, completing 6-of-8 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns. His 218 passing yards is the fourth most in school history for passing yards in a game, surpassing personal game-highs of former National Football League quarterbacks Doug Pederson and Jake Locker.
The Golden Eagles still maintained their dominance in the run game, finishing with 347 yards, and averaging nearly seven yards per rush attempt. Carlson led the way with 128 yards on 14 carries.
Senior fullback Ryan Pelton scored three touchdowns, two rushing and one on a 27-yard reception just before halftime. Schlichting’s third touchdown pass of the game came in the the third quarter on a 33-yard pass down the left sideline to 6-foot-2 sophomore Conner Walcker.
The defensive line for Ferndale also had a huge game, registering six sacks and four other stops behind the line of scrimmage. Junior defensive end Jake Mason led the way with seven tackles, three sacks and a tackle for loss.
The Golden Eagles (1-0) will travel to Lynden (1-0) to take on the Lions this Friday at 7:00.
Monroe 35 Ferndale 55 MON 3 13 7 12 - 35 FERN 13 21 21 0 - 55 MON – 22 yard field goal FERN – Carlson 9 run (Mattingley kick) FERN – Broselle 69 pass from Mar. Schlichting (kick blocked) MON – 13 yard touchdown pass (kick good) FERN – Pelton 6 run (Mattingley kick) FERN – Mar. Schlichting 1 run (Mattingley kick) MON – 11 yard touchdown run (kick failed) FERN – Pelton 27 pass from Mar. Schlichting (Mattingley kick) FERN – Carlson 1 run (Mattingley kick) MON – 90 yard kickoff return (kick good) FERN – Pelton 17 run (Mattingley kick) FERN – Walcker 33 pass from Mar. Schlichting (Mattingley kick) MON – 6 yard touchdown run (pass failed) MON – 14 yard touchdown run (pass failed) MON FERN 28-71 Rushing Att-Yards 50-347 17-30-0 Comp-Att-Int 6-8-0 268 Passing yards 218 Individual Leaders RUSHING – MON: N/A. FERN: Carlson 14-128, Broselle 7-102, Pelton 10-65, McCormick 6-41, Bundy 4-8, Atwood 2-5, Mar. Schlichting 2-4, Mat. Schlichting 1-1, Finkbonner 3-(-1), Ootsey 1-(-6). PASSING – MON: N/A. FERN: Mar. Schlichting 6-8-0-218. RECEIVING – MON: N/A. FERN: Broselle 2-111, Walcker 2-41, Moore 1-39, Pelton 1-27.
