FERNDALE – The Golden Eagles got back to their brand of football, scoring five rushing touchdowns in the first half before ultimately beating Mount Vernon 49-14 on Friday night.
Junior running back Talan Bungard scored his first touchdown of the game on a 1-yarder on Ferndale’s first possession. Moments later, an interception by senior cornerback Kevin Woods gave the ball back to the Golden Eagles with great field position.
The Ferndale responded a few plays later with a seven yard touchdown run by Phoenyx Finkbonner, and just like that, it was deja vu all over again as senior defensive end Kellan LaFave intercepted a pass that was initially deflected off of the Bulldogs left tackle. Two players later, Bungard scored his second touchdown of the game, this time from six yards out.
Before Mount Vernon could take a breath, it was a 21-0 lead for the Golden Eagles. It set up perfect for the run-heavy Ferndale squad that could lean on its opponent and chew up clock.
Bungard and Finkbonner each scored another touchdown in the second quarter, and the Bulldogs scored on a deep pass just before halftime, which saw the Golden Eagles hold a 35-7 advantage at the midway break.
A play-action touchdown pass from senior quarterback Bishop Ootsey to Bungard in the third quarter put Ferndale back up by five scores, which it would remain going into the fourth quarter. Bungard finished with a game-high 122 yards rushing on 19 carries.
The Bulldogs were able to capitalize on a special teams blunder in the fourth, and scored on a 4-yard touchdown run.
Ferndale answered back by putting together a strong drive with its reserves in the game, led by sophomore fullback Jonathan Stanek, who ripped off 50 yards on nine carries in the final stanza. The drive ended with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown by sophomore Nolan Boleak.
Finkbonner and LaFave led the defense as the two defensive ends combined for multiple stops behind the line.
The Golden Eagles (5-2) will host Stanwood (3-4) on Friday at 7:00.
Ferndale 49 Mount Vernon 14 MV 0 7 0 7 - 14 FER 21 14 7 7 - 49 FER - Bungard 1 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Finkbonner 7 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Bungard 6 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Bungard 2 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Finkbonner 2 run (Eldridge kick) MV - 46 yard touchdown pass (kick good) FER - Bungard 8 pass from Ootsey (Eldridge kick) MV - 4 yard touchdown run (kick good) FER - Boleak 1 run (Eldridge kick) MV FER 31-64 Rush Att-Yards 57-366 5-17-2 Comp-Att-Int 3-6-1 112 Passing Yards 56 Individual Leaders RUSHING - MV: N/A. FER: Bungard 19-122, Finkbonner 8-64, Walcker 4-54, Stanek 9-50, Atwood 4-31, Moore 1-18, Ootsey 2-14, Eldridge 2-8, Merwin 1-4, I. Kennerley 1-3, Sanchez 2-3, Telles 1-(-1), Boleak 3-(-4). PASSING - MV: N/A. FER: Ootsey 3-5-0-56, Finkbonner 0-1-1-0. RECEIVING - MV: N/A. FER: Walcker 2-48, Bungard 1-8.
