Defensive adjustment leads Bellingham to win over Highline

Bellingham football coach Ted Flint said his defense prepared for a different Highline rushing attack in practice all week and yet the Red Raiders were able to shut down Highline 33-7 in a non-league game Friday, Oct. 30 at Civic Stadium.

“That wasn’t the formation we practiced for, but they didn’t score that much,” Flint said.

Flint said it was tough to react to the Pirates’ change in offensive scheme but that his players battled and held them in check.

The Bellingham defense did get some lucky bounces, particularly on the second play of the game when a botched Highline snap went the Red Raiders’ way just 51 seconds into the game. Three minutes later, Bellingham scored on a 12-yard pass from Nick Knutson to Joseph Worley.

Bellingham’s defense forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes, one of which led to Dakota Johanson’s 7-yard touchdown run three plays later.

Johanson rushed for 66 yards and three touchdowns.

He said the way Bellingham’s defense started the night was just what the team needed to win.

“We started out fast tonight,” Johanson said. “It was way better than the other nights we’ve had. Last week we started out really slow, and this week it was like ‘OK guys, it’s time to win.”

Bellingham lost to La Conner 24-7 last Friday.

Johanson injured his neck last week when he was blindsided by a La Conner blocker and was forced to leave the game. He said he felt great entering Friday and “it was awesome to help the team win.”

Highline still was able to grind out yards on the ground, as Malik White had 172 of the Pirates’ 189 rushing yards and scored the Pirates’ lone touchdown with 9:42 left in the second quarter.

Bellingham improved to 5-4 and will wrap up its season on Thursday, Nov. 5, when it hosts Granite Falls.

This story was originally published October 30, 2015 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Defensive adjustment leads Bellingham to win over Highline."