By Makayla Sparks – For Whatcom Preps
FERNDALE – With the playoffs only a couple of weeks away, every game matters for the Ferndale Golden Eagles. They won their second straight game on Friday by defeating the Stanwood Spartans 34-7 at Golden Eagle Stadium.
Ferndale started the game on full throttle, scoring its first points only 18 seconds into play. The Golden Eagles received the opening kickoff and Eli Kennerley returned it 37 yards to midfield.
From there, the normally run-heavy Ferndale offense caught Stanwood by surprise by throwing on the first play. Senior quarterback Bishop Ootsey connected with senior wide receiver Conner Walcker who took the ball 50 yards down the far sideline and into the end zone.
The Spartans struggled to make something happen between Golden Eagle drives and ended up missing their field goal attempt. Walcker scored again two drives later at the end of the first quarter, this time on a 24-yard rushing touchdown.
Heading into the second quarter, the defense began to turn things up. Both teams struggled to move and despite a recovered fumble by Ferndale, it took until the final seconds of the half for someone to score. Walcker scored his third touchdown of the game on a one-yard run and the Golden Eagles entered the half with a 21-0 lead.
Coming out of halftime, the Spartans seemed rejuvenated. A fake handoff on the kickoff return tripped up Ferndale and Stanwood brought it 90 yards for a touchdown.
The Golden Eagles, however, weren’t ready to hand over the momentum. They immediately responded when Ootsey returned the ensuing kickoff 44 yards. The return led to a 16-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Pheonyx Finkbonner and a score of 28-7 in favor of Ferndale.
The final scoring play of the night came near the end of the third quarter when junior running back Talan Bungard rushed into the end zone from 12 yards away. The score moved to 34-7 and Ferndale was able to run out clock for most of the fourth quarter.
It was a great night defensively for Ferndale, who didn’t allow an offensive touchdown. It was led by senior defensive tackle Camden Raymond who had 8.5 tackles, including 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage. Junior linebacker Jacob Gandy had a team-high 10.5 tackles and one stop for a loss, while Bungard and Walcker each had eight tackles. Walcker also had three tackles for loss.
The Golden Eagles (6-2) will be at home once again next week and they will host Edmonds-Woodway (6-2) at 7:00.
Ferndale 34 Stanwood 7 STA 0 0 7 0 - 7 FER 14 7 13 0 - 34 FER - Walcker 50 pass from Ootsey (Eldridge kick) FER - Walcker 24 run (Eldridge kick) FER - Walcker 1 run (Eldridge kick) STA - 90 yard kickoff return (kick good) FER - Finkbonner 16 run (kick good) FER - Bungard 12 run (kick failed) STA FER 51-120 Rush Att-Yards 31-292 3-7-0 Comp-Att-Int 1-5-0 53 Passing Yards 50 Individual Leaders RUSHING - STA: N/A. FER: Walcker 6-116, Bungard 13-70, Finkbonner 7-62, Moore 1-21, Gandy 2-21, Telles 2-2. PASSING - STA: N/A. FER: Ootsey 1-5-0-50. RECEIVING - STA: N/A. FER: Walcker 1-50.
