FERNDALE - Ferndale withstood some potential big plays by Bellingham and went on to defeat the Red Raiders 54-0 on Friday, Oct. 12, in Northwest Conference 3A/2A action a week ahead of its looming showdown with Lynden on the horizon.
Ferndale (7-0, 5-0 NWC 2A/3A) jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, and controlled the game thanks to a few Red Raiders (0-7, 0-5) miscues. After the Golden Eagles went up 28-0 midway through the second quarter, Bellingham kick returner Darice Haywood ran the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for what appeared to be a touchdown. As Haywood crossed the goal line, a Red Raiders player pushed the trailing player from Ferndale in the back, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. On the first snap of the Bellingham drive, the Golden Eagles recovered a fumbled snap and kept the momentum on their side.
Richmond Baardson led the Golden Eagles with 85 yards rushing on 12 attempts and two touchdowns, one of them coming on a 72-yard punt return.
"It felt amazing," Baardson said. "The offensive line blocked great. I just saw holes out there."
Ferndale running back Alex Conley added 103 yards and three touchdowns despite barely touching the ball during the first two Golden Eagles offensive series. Hank Hilts also rushed for 62 yards on 13 attempts for Ferndale.
Bellingham quarterback Justin Pruett was forced to leave the game after the second offensive series for the Red Raiders. Bellingham coach Steve Wilson said Pruett had a knee injury and would be evaluated next week.
Kyle Redmond took over for Pruett and put his talents on display, throwing the ball deep on multiple occasions, but he failed to connect with his receivers.
"We have all the confidence in him (Redmond)," Wilson said. "Our offense doesn't change when he goes in."
The closest the Red Raiders came to scoring was a 75-yard kickoff return late in the fourth quarter by Melvin Deal. Deal was taken down at the 4-yard line, and a fumbled handoff two plays later sealed Bellingham's scoreless fate.
Ferndale has a tough test next week when it plays Lynden, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, in a NWC 2A/3A showdown.
Bellingham 0 0 0 0- 0
Ferndale 13 22 7 12- 54
First quarter
Ferndale - Richmond Baardson 3 run (Wyatt Dunn kick)
Ferndale - Alex Conley 7 run (kick failed)
Second quarter
Ferndale - Cameron Blecha 4 run (2 point conversion good)
Ferndale - Baardson 72 punt return (Dunn kick)
Ferndale - Conley 1 run (Dunn kick)
Third quarter
Ferndale - Conley 1 run (Dunn kick)
Fourth quarter
Ferndale- Brady Bauthues 29 run (kick failed)
Ferndale- Bauthues 45 run (kick failed)
Bell Fern
First downs 15 41
Rushing Att-Yards 15-29 58-412
Comp-Att-Int 5-13-0 1-3-0
Passing yards 33 8
Penalties-yards 6-50 2-15
Fumbles-lost 6-5 4-0
Individual leaders
RUSHING - Bellingham: Marques Reynolds 8-32, Justin Pruett 2-4, Melvin Deal 1-1, Kyle Redmond 3-(-3), Scott Tang 1-(-5). Ferndale: Alex Conley 11-103, Richmond Baardson 12-85, Brady Bauthues 3-79, Hank Hilts 13-62, Daniel Jones 3-24, Daniel Ewald 5-16, Cooper Clark 4-14, Joey Akers 3-12, Anthony Fleck 1-11, Marcus Nightingale 1-8, Kyler Schemstad 2-(-2).
PASSING -Bellingham: Kyle Redmond 3-9-0-17, Justin Pruett 2-4-0-16. Ferndale: Cooper Clark 1-3-0-8.
RECEIVING - Bellingham: Kyle Redmond 2-16, Darice Haywood 1-9, Scott Tang 1-7, Melvin Deal 1-1. Ferndale: Anthony Fleck 1-8.
