The Bellingham Bulldogs and the Grays
Harbor Bearcats, two Pacific Football League teams, took to the sun
drenched field of battle Saturday, July 7th to see who
would survive and head to the North Division Championship. Both teams
had a claim to the right and would need to prove themselves worthy to
advance.
The Bearcats exercised efficiency at
the start, moving the ball quickly on their first possession, but the
Bulldogs defense would not break. Bellingham's offense answered the
challenge and pushed deep into the red zone for a touchdown on the
backs of their running game. The Bulldogs defense countered and
punched the Bearcats back with two sacks and an interception.
Bellingham would score again on the legs of running back Vann Vetch.
The Bearcats were now on their heals,
pushed around by the running attack they allowed the Bulldogs passing
game to take flight. Quarterback Leon Lilley connected with wide
receiver Douglas Miller on a 35-yard touchdown pass and a 21-0 lead
in the second quarter.
Grays Harbor would not concede victory
that easily, taking to the sky themselves, the Bearcats scored a
touchdown and would add a 33-yard field goal before the end of the
half. However the Bulldogs would respond with another 35-yard bomb
for a score by Toby Seim.
The battle seemed bleak for Grays
Harbor at the start of the second half. Bellingham would pickup
another five points from a 27-yard field goal and a fumbled punt snap
that lead to a safety. The Bulldogs defense racked up a fifth sack
and a kick return for a touchdown by Toby Seim spelled doom for the
Bearcats.
Grays Harbor clawed their way to 21
points in the fourth quarter but despite their courage and heart they
could not overcome Bellingham's lead as time expired. Final score
40-30. Click here to
view photos from the game.
