Slam reign over Olympia

The Bellingham Slam needed a last second steal from Mo Anderson to hold off the Olympia Reign and win their 11^th straight victory Friday, June 8 at Whatcom Pavilion. The game seemed closer that the score indicated through four quarters of play. The Slam however lead the Reign by 25 points at one point in the third quarter. Olympia, 3-11 on the season, showed they have heart and proved to the Bellingham fans that they will be a team to reckon with. Clawing their way back in the fourth quarter the Reign kept chipping a way at the point differential until they were down by one point with ten seconds left on the clock. After a time out the ball was stolen by Anderson who sprinted down court for the winning layup. Final score: 128-126. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bulldogs thwart Vikings' raid

Bellingham hosted long-time opponent the Snohomish County Vikings at Civic Field Saturday, June 2 for their eighth game of the 2012 Pacific Football League season. The Bulldogs defense set the tone early, dominating the line of scrimmage and punishing the Vikings offensive line. Snohomish County's first three offensive possessions ended with a fumble recovery by the Bulldogs on the one-yard line, an interception off of a deflected pass and a nearly blocked punt. All resulted in a Bulldogs' score. Before the Vikings could catch their breath the score was 24-0 in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs defense was so stifling that it took a fumbled punt return for the Vikings to get into scoring position, turning the opportunity into a touchdown. Snohomish County continued to struggle under the suffocating pressure, relying on the scarce Bulldog miscues for opportunities at points. Bellingham's offense took advantage and quickly put the game out of reach. Moving the ball effortlessly with their running game. Once the Vikings' defensive backs were caught looking inside the Bulldogs threw over their heads, scoring 32 unanswered points. Final score 65-10. Click here to view photos from the game.

Slam Win Weekend

The Bellingham Slam stayed on their winning ways through Memorial Day Weekend home games besting the 2-9 Olympia Reign and the 0-2 Nippon Tornadoes. The Slam boasted triple digit scores in both match-ups thumping the Reign 145-94 and thwacking the Tornadoes 155-101. Slam guard Paul Hafford took the weekend with a 28-point game Friday and a 27-point game Monday. Click here to view photos from Friday and here for photos from Monday.

Cobras strike Bulldogs

Bellingham squared off against their long time nemesis the Tacoma Cobras Saturday, May 12^th at Civic Field. The Cobras got the best of the former Blitz team in back-to-back Professional Developmental Football League championship games in 2009 and 2010. Tacoma would prove to be this united Bellingham team's greatest challenge to date.

The Bulldogs' offense stumbled out of the gates causing them to punt twice, giving the Cobras a short field and leading to two quick strikes for touchdowns. Bellingham's defense could not find an answer for the Cobras' offense as a combination of running and passing attacks put Tacoma up by four touchdowns. Tacoma's defense kept the pressure up blanking the Bulldogs' offense through the first half. A blocked punt and recovery by Bulldogs' cornerback Chris Johnson scored their first touchdown of the night.

Bellingham's defense came out at the second half swinging, forcing the Cobras' offense to give up the ball at mid-field. The Bulldog's offense took advantage, driving the ball down for a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Bellingham's defense continued to torment Tacoma's offense. Lead by defensive end Chase Cantrell, the Bulldogs' defense forced two fumble recoveries, but the Bulldogs' offense failed to capitalize with scores.

A late rally by Bellingham put Tacoma on their heals as the Bulldogs' defense kept pushing the Cobras all over the field. The comeback was well established when quarterback Cody Oakes connected with wide receivers Jesse Dellinger and Douglas Miller for touchdowns to tie the game at 28-28 with 5:27 left in the fourth quarter. After a blocked Cobras' field goal attempt the Bulldogs had all of the momentum, but a fumble recovery lead to a quick one-yard run for a Cobras' touchdown. Oakes tried one last time but an interception spoiled the comeback as Tacoma continued their winning ways over Bellingham. Final score: 28-35. Click here to view photos of the game.

Slam hold off erupting Volcanoes

The Bellingham Slam hosted the Vancouver Volcanoes in an high-scoring rematch to last season's championship game Friday May 11^th at Whatcom Community College Pavilion. The Slam fell behind early as miscues in passing and steals earned the Volcanoes the lead throughout the first half. Bellingham climbed their way back into the game, cutting a 14-point deficit down to one point with a last-second three-pointer by Drew Ready at halftime. The second half started with both teams trading scores but by the fourth quarter the Slam began to pull away with the 26-point effort of Paul Hafford, who lead six teammates with double-digit totals. Final score: 127-120. Click here to view photos from the game.