BLAINE – In a game that had all the physical elements, like rain and wind, it also had all the emotions that one could feel, coming from both ends of the spectrum. A game that will surely not be forgotten for a long time, Ferndale’s strong fourth quarter was just enough to get past Arlington 18-17 at Blaine High School on Friday night.
Mostly known for their running ability, it was a 35-yard touchdown pass play from senior Mark Schlichting to sophomore Conner Walcker in the final minute of the game, that reminded old-time fans of the catch that Lynn Swann made in Super Bowl X against the Cowboys, which made the difference. For you younger fans, you can see that Super Bowl catch by clicking HERE.
But, back to Friday night…
The Eagles came out swinging, completing passes up and down the field, and drive down the field with relative ease on their first possession, which ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass. A bad snap negated the point after attempt, and Arlington had an early 6-0 lead.
Ferndale then fumbled ensuing kickoff, and Arlington had the ball once again. The Eagles were able to drive inside the five-yard line, but had to settle for a field goal attempt, which was blocked.
The Golden Eagles couldn’t move the ball on their first official possession of the game, and was forced to punt. After trading punts back and forth, the game moved into the second quarter which saw an Arlington punt that never actually happened. The Eagle punter took the snap from center in his own end zone, but had to kneel down to pick up the ball, and was immediately whistled for a safety, giving Ferndale its first points of the ballgame.
Following the safety, the Golden Eagles had a big return on the kickoff, but fumbled the ball, and Arlington recovered near midfield, but the Ferndale defense stiffened up and forced the Eagles to punt once again.
The Golden Eagles followed with their first big drive of the game, picking up four first downs, and getting into the red zone. However, it was another fumble that took away any chance of points on the drive.
A few drives later, the game was mercifully sent into halftime, with Arlington leading 6-2.
Ferndale sophomore cornerback Bishop Ootsey picked up his first varsity interception early in the third quarter, but Arlington had a strong drive on its second possession of the second half. The Eagles’ drive included four completions in a row, but was stalled inside the five-yard line by big plays from defensive ends Jake Mason and Xander Castleberry. Arlington settled for a 22-yard field goal, and held a 9-2 lead halfway through the third quarter.
The Golden Eagles answered back with an incredibly strong drive, moving the ball 70 yards on 15 plays, capping the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by senior fullback Elijah McCormick. McCormick then ran in the 2-point conversion, and Ferndale enjoyed its first lead of the game, 10-9, early in the fourth quarter.
The momentum had clearly shifted, especially when sophomore cornerback Dylan Moore intercepted a pass just two plays later, giving the ball back to the Golden Eagles at the Arlington 40-yard line. However, Ferndale’s drive ended inside the 10 when another fumble bounced the way of the Eagles.
Down by one, this was when Arlington dug deep into the playbook. The Eagles completed a 31-yard pass on 4th-and-8 from their own 9-yard line, and moments later they completed a 41-yard pass deep down the left sideline on 4th-and-10. Three plays later, the Eagles scored on a 4-yard out pattern. They also converted the 2-point conversion, and with 2:44 left in the game, the Eagles held a 17-10 lead.
Ferndale still had time, but when the ensuing kickoff was fumbled once again, and Arlington fell on it at the Golden Eagle 13-yard line, it didn’t look good for Coach Jamie Plenkovich’s crew. The defense made big plays following the fumble, including a big stop behind the line of scrimmage by junior outside linebacker Isaiah Carlson, and the Eagles brought out the field goal team once again.
The 28-yard field goal was missed, and as the Ferndale fans rejoiced, there was also concern, knowing that down by seven, with less than two minutes remaining, their Golden Eagles would have to drive 80 yards and score a touchdown.
Ferndale got off to a great start to it’s final drive, with a 30-yard strike down the middle of the field from Schlichting to Walcker. It was the first completion of the game for the Golden Eagles.
The two connected again on the next play, this time for five yards. That was followed by two runs by Carlson that totaled 15 yards. A deep pass down the right sideline followed, and Walcker came up with his another reception, this one bringing his team to the Arlington 5-yard line, but a penalty wiped the play out.
Schlichting’s deep touchdown pass to Walcker is what followed, and it brought the rain-soaked fans to their feet, while also bringing the Golden Eagles within one point. Coach Plenkovich made the decision to go for two, and when Carlson took the sweep around left end and crossed the goal line, Ferndale took the 18-17 lead.
The Eagles had one last possession, but pressure from Mason, and sophomore defensive tackle Camden Raymond, forced an errant pass which was picked off by junior defensive tackle Landen Hatchett, which sealed the win for Ferndale.
The Golden Eagles (3-0) will continue conference play at Mount Vernon (0-2) on Friday night.
Arlington 17 Ferndale 18 ARL 6 0 3 8 - 17 FER 0 2 0 16 - 18 ARL - 19 yard touchdown pass (run failed) FERN - Safety, punter knelt in the end zone ARL - 22 yard FG FERN - McCormick 1 run (McCormick run) ARL - 4 yard touchdown pass (2-pt pass good) FERN - Walcker 35 pass from Schlichting (Carlson run) ARL FER 11-13 Rush Att-Yards 52-219 25-44-3 Comp-Att-Int 3-6-0 275 Passing Yards 70 Individual Leaders RUSHING - ARL: N/A. FER: Carlson 17-82, McCormick 14-71, Pelton 12-69, Schlichting 7-2, Walcker 1-0, Moore 1-(-5). PASSING - ARL: N/A. FER: Schlichting 3-6-0-70. RECEIVING - ARL: N/A. FER: Walcker 3-70.
