BY JEFF WOOD – for Whatcom Preps
FERNDALE – In a game where Ferndale vastly outgained Glacier Peak on the ground, the Grizzlies kept it close on the scoreboard. Ultimately, the home team prevailed on their new field 22-16.
After an opening night of festivities including a message on the dazzling video screen by Ferndale Alum, and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach, Doug Pederson, the game got underway. A perfect fall evening greeted this first ever kickoff with the home team receiving. Before the game, a moment a silence was observed for legendary Ferndale offensive line coach Rick Brudwick who passed away this summer. He for sure was looking down from above marveling at the packed crowd and sun setting behind the new grandstands and the young men playing the game he loved on the newly installed turf.
The Golden Eagles took control right away with their patented Wing T rushing attack. Chunk runs by junior Talan Bungard and senior Phoenyx Finkbonner got Ferndale quickly into the red zone. However, after a false start, Glacier Peak stopped a fourth down Bishop Ootsey scramble on the 1. The Ferndale defense gave up only one Grizzly first down and a punt led to a quick 3-play drive capped by a Bungard 17-yard TD run, where he bowled over one defender and outran another.
A running into the kicker penalty almost extended the Grizzlies next drive but a Bungard tackle on 4th and 1 gave the ball back to Ferndale. Eight running plays later, Finkbonner hit paydirt from nine yards out. The Grizzlies answered, showing their big play ability with a 42-yard TD pass from Lucas Entler to wideout Adama Loum. Going into the half it was Ferndale 14, Glacier Peak 7.
Both teams scored quickly on their first drives in the third quarter, the Grizzlies on a 67-yard bootleg pass and Ferndale on a 48-yard Bungard run on a quick hitting trap. Neither team made their extra point, so the Golden Eagle advantage remained 7. A nice punt by Finkbonner stuck Glacier Peak on their own 1 which led to a safety in which he also made the sack. These two points would prove helpful as Ferndale lost Bungard in the second half with an undisclosed injury.
The Golden Eagles tried to put the game away, but the belly option play to Conner Walcker that had worked for a pivotal 38-yard gain on their prior TD drive was snuffed out by the Grizzlies. Moving into the fourth quarter the deep air game of Glacier Peak kept them close. The Grizzlies converted a 31-yard FG to close the deficit to six points at 22-16.
The Ferndale offense stalled a bit without Bungard but the next two offensive possessions for Glacier Peak resulted in quick 3-and-outs. Defensive coordinator Sky Freeman’s 4-2-5 scheme did a good job of keeping the Grizzlies off balance by showing multiple looks and blitzes. Ferndale linebacker Lincoln Thomas contributed to these stops with a sack and snuffed out a screen pass.
There was still some drama to entertain the Ferndale faithful as a depleted backfield was buoyed by the offensive line springing a nice hole for one last long Finkbonner run. The well blocked sweep went for 41 yards which got the Golden Eagles to midfield and out of a hole deep in their own territory. Two rushes were followed by Grizzly timeouts and with 1:40 on the clock another would help bleed it further. Disaster struck however with a center fumble on 3rd and 10. Glacier Peak recovered at mid-field and had a chance to ruin the night for everyone in Ferndale. Two completions and a 15-yard penalty got them quickly to the 16-yard line.
Despite the momentum for Glacier Peak, this Golden Eagles team would not be denied a victory on the opening game of their new stadium. The defense once again made a big play with a huge fumble recovery by Aydin O’Tool after Jacob Gandy stripped the ball from the Grizzly quarterback. That put a bow on a fine evening and sent the fans home happy with a stadium opening 22-16 victory.
A 325 to 32 yard advantage on the ground for the Golden Eagles was also a fitting way to pay tribute to Coach Brudwick. Next week Ferndale (3-0) travels to play Arlington (3-0) on Friday at 7:00.
Ferndale 22 Glacier Peak 16 GP 0 7 6 3 - 16 FER 7 7 8 0 - 22 FER - Bungard 17 run (Finkbonner kick) FER - Finkbonner 9 run (Finkbonner kick) GP - 42 yard touchdown pass (kick good) GP - 67 yard touchdown pass (kick good) FER - Bungard 48 run (kick failed) FER - Safety, Finkbonner tackled ball carrier in end zone GP - 31 yard field goal GP FER 20-32 Rush Att-Yards 53-325 7-16-1 Comp-Att-Int 2-4-0 204 Passing Yards 51 Individual Leaders RUSHING - GP: N/A. FER: Bungard 20-146, Finkbonner 17-107, Walcker 5-41, Ootsey 4-14, Gandy 2-9, Stanek 4-6, Moore 1-2. PASSING - GP: N/A. FER: Ootsey 2-4-0-51. RECEIVING - GP: N/A. FER: Walcker 1-32, Thomas 1-19.
