BY JEFF WOOD – For Whatcom Preps
FERNDALE – On a cold, crisp night at Golden Eagle Stadium, Ferndale used its tried-and-true rushing attack to dominate the Warriors of Edmonds-Woodway 49-14.
After receiving the opening kickoff, a methodical 10-play drive commenced the game and was punctuated by a 1-yard plunge by Talan Bungard. The junior running back finished with 159 yards on 15 carries.
The Warriors could not get much going on their first three drives as they totaled just 9 yards from scrimmage in the quarter. Ferndale’s rushing attack continued its efficiency with Bungard trading carries with senior Phoenyx Finkbonner.
14-0 was the Golden Eagle advantage going into the second quarter thanks to a third offensive weapon, senior Conner Walcker. An 11-yard touchdown run was just the beginning of his big night.
A few miscues by Ferndale was the thing keeping Edmonds-Woodway in the game during the first half. This included three holding calls and two fumbles by the Golden Eagle offense giving the Warriors some hope.
Despite those plays, Ferndale was able to add three more scores in the second quarter. Walcker scored two more times and senior Dylan Moore contributed a 1-yard TD run.
Walcker’s 59-yard catch and run on a pass from senior quarterback Bishop Ootsey was one of the best plays of the season. The Eastern Washington University-bound athlete took a crossing route and looked to be caught by a defender who had latched onto his lower leg. Walcker shook that tackle off, ran over another defender, then burst past any further threats into the north end zone.
The Warriors got on the board late in the second quarter on a 76-yard fade pass cutting the Ferndale lead to 28-7 with under 2 minutes until halftime. The Ferndale offensive line was not done opening holes, though.
With time ticking down, Walcker took another handoff and shot up the middle showcasing his speed again with an 83-yard touchdown run to put an exclamation point on the half with Ferndale holding a decisive 35-7 advantage.
It was more of the same in the third quarter as Walcker zipped through the Warrior defense for his fourth touchdown of the game.
Ootsey also wasn’t done as he completed his second touchdown pass of the game in the third quarter as he hooked up with senior Kleaveland Atwood on a 7-yarder.
Edmonds-Woodway scored one last touchdown near the end of regulation.
Walcker also led on the defensive side of the ball with 7.5 tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass broken up and an interception.
The Golden Eagles (7-2) will find out about their next game at some point on Sunday.
Ferndale 49 Edmonds-Woodway 14 EW 0 7 0 7 - 14 FER 14 21 14 0 - 49 FER - Bungard 1 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Walcker 11 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Walcker 59 pass from Ootsey (Eldridge kick) FER - Moore 1 run (Eldridge kick) EW - 76 yard touchdown pass (kick good) FER - Walcker 83 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Walcker 19 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Atwood 7 pass from Ootsey (Eldridge kick) EW - 26 yard touchdown pass (Eldridge kick) EW FER 22-45 Rush Att-Yards 44-446 9-23-1 Comp-Att-Int 3-6-0 173 Passing Yards 87 Individual Leaders RUSHING - EW: N/A. FER: Bungard 15-159, Walcker 6-130, Finkbonner 10-75, Atwood 5-36, Ootsey 1-18, E. Kennerley 1-17, Gandy 2-14, Moore 2-6, Boleak 2-(-9). PASSING - EW: N/A. FER: Ootsey 3-6-0-87. RECEIVING - EW: N/A. FER: Walcker 1-59, Bungard 1-21, Atwood 1-7.
