BELLINGHAM – It was another impressive performance by the Golden Eagles at Civic Stadium, this time as they defeated Kelso in the first round of the 3A State Playoffs on Friday night.
Ferndale shocked everyone, especially the Hilander secondary, when senior running back Isaiah Carlson took a handoff running to his left, and then flung a left-handed 43-yard touchdown pass to junior Conner Walcker to score the first touchdown of the game.
Kelso answered back quickly with a 78-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline.
Sophomore fullback Talan Bungard used his bruising style of running the football in the second quarter, and got across the goal line from 10 yards out to give the Golden Eagles a touchdown advantage, but the usual run-heavy Hilanders answered again with a 26-yard passing strike.
The score was tied at 14 halfway through the second quarter, and this was when the Golden Eagles proved that they are a special team, especially on special teams.
Ferndale ended the second quarter with a few special teams scores. The first on a 25-yard field goal by junior Phoenyx Finkbonner, and the second time was just before the half when senior Jake Mason blocked a punt and fellow senior Landen Hatchett scooped it up in the end zone for a touchdown.
During a scoreless third quarter, the Golden Eagles special teams came through again, with Mason and Hatchett once again showing their greatness. Mason blocked a field goal, and Hatchett recovered it and rumbled 18 yards.
In the fourth quarter Bungard scored on a 20-yard touchdown run moments after junior free safety Conner Walcker intercepted a pass that was tipped by Bungard. Ferndale then forced a punt, and the Golden Eagles drove down the field and put an exclamation mark on the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run by Carlson.
Carlson’s touchdown was the 57th in his career, breaking a tie with Ben Peterson from Squalicum. Carlson now stands fourth all-time in Whatcom County in career touchdowns scored.
Special Teams coach Brian Hoelzle of Ferndale had one more play to get excited about in the fourth quarter, and it came when Finkbonner was set to punt, but a low snap altered his game plan. Instead, the 195-pound junior fielded the pigskin off the turf and took off 64 yards for a touchdown.
Defensively, Walcker led with 8.5 tackles and two interceptions. Junior defensive tackle Camden Raymond racked up six tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss and a forced fumble, and Bungard had 7.5 tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass deflected and a fumble recovery.
The Golden Eagles (9-2) will face Eastside Catholic (10-0) in the state quarterfinals. Time and date is not determined yet, but it will likely be at Memorial Stadium in Seattle.
Ferndale 44 Kelso 14 KEL 7 7 0 0 - 14 FER 7 17 0 20 - 44 FER - Walcker 43 pass from Carlson (Finkbonner kick) KEL - 78 yard touchdown pass (kick good) FER - Bungard 10 run (Finkbonner kick) KEL - 26 yard touchdown pass (kick good) FER - Finkbonner 25 FG FER - Hatchett recovered blocked punt in the end zone (Finkbonner kick) FER - Bungard 20 run (Finkbonner kick) FER - Carlson 5 run (kick failed) FER - Finkbonner 64 run (Finkbonner kick)
KEL FER 43-204 Rush Att-Yards 45-350 4-17-2 Comp-Att-Int 2-5-1 107 Passing Yards 60 Individual Leaders RUSHING - KEL: N/A. FER: Bungard 9-104, Carlson 18-94, Finkbonner 2-65, Walcker 3-33, Nielsen 8-28, Ootsey 2-13, Moore 3-13. PASSING - KEL: N/A. FER: Ootsey 1-4-1-17, Carlson 1-1-0-43. RECEIVING - KEL: N/A. FER: Walcker 1-43, Carlson 1-17.
