Bulldogs Back On Top

A light mist blankets the surrounding hills that overlook the Stewart Field Complex in Aberdeen, Washington. The cool ocean air quiets the landscape bringing a calmness prior to the impending storm. The Bellingham Bulldogs, having conquered the Pacific Football League North Division, traveled to this sleepy bay-side town to claim their right to the League title. Boasting a 10-2 record the Bulldogs seemed assured certain victory against their South Division opponents, the South Lane Buzzards.

The surging Bulldogs defense washed over the Buzzards like a rouge wave. Pushing South Lane back and forcing an early punt. The Bulldogs offensive line took advantage of their size and moved the ball with a combination of runs by Brett Hall and a quick strike to Toby Seim to score the first touchdown of the game. Momentum continued to favor Bellingham as a recovered fumble lead to another scoring drive, caped again by a pass from Eric Taylor to Toby Seim.

The bruising running attacks and quick passes kept the Buzzards on their heals. Trying their bests to hold back the waves of offense with little success as Bellingham scored twice more in the second quarter. Once in the air with a 12-yard pass to Nicholas Gavigan and then a crushing 92-yard touchdown run by Brett Hall. Throughout the first half the Bulldogs defense remain dominate, keeping the Buzzards from scoring a single point.

Bellingham started the second half a little sluggish. Miscues, fumbles and interceptions kept South Lanes' hopes for a comeback alive, but Bellingham would not recede. Adding another touchdown drive with a 12-yard scoring throw to Douglas Miller.

The Bulldogs however were not to get their perfect shutout. After a favorable kick return the Buzzards connected on a 44-yard pass to put them on the one-yard line. Two plays later South Lane found the end zone for their only scoring drive of the game.

The last laugh would belong to the Bulldogs when back-up quarterback Noah Clein found Nicholas Gavigan with a 39-yard touchdown throw. Sealing the game and the 2013 PFL Championship. Final score: 40-7. Click here to view photos of the game.

Narrow Escape, Bulldogs Hold Off Charging Colts

After the devastating loss in Seattle the Bellingham Bulldogs looked for redemption as the South King County Colts rolled into town for a Pacific Football League heavy-weight match. The Colts carry a 6-1 record, atop the PFL standings along side the Seattle Stallions. Bellingham's recent loss to the Stallions put them in a possible road-playoff situation, with a 6-2 record the Bulldogs may not get a playoff game at home.  

In addition to the standings the Bulldogs were dealing with several injuries and the loss of their starting quarterback. Bellingham would decide to put Eric Taylor in to run the offense. The Colts however have a familiar face under center, former Bulldog Cody Oakes returned for redemption of his own.

The game started off a little sluggishly. Neither offense could manage a consistent drive to move the ball and traded punts early. After a scoreless first quarter the Bulldogs made a push into scoring position and kicked a 10-yard field goal. On the following Colts drive the Bulldogs defense stripped the ball from Oakes, giving the offense a shortened field. A few plays later Bellingham's Eric Taylor found wide receiver Douglas Miller for a three-yard touchdown pass.

This proved to be the turning point in the game as both offenses began to move the ball with an increased intensity. Both Bulldogs and Colts unleashed a flurry of running and pass attacks that netted yards and points. Through the second quarter and into the third the titans of the gridiron traded blows and countered one another. Bellingham however got the best of the Colts and began to pull ahead on the scoreboard. Late in the third quarter the Bulldogs had a 37-16 lead and what seemed to be a win was within grasp.

Cody Oakes and the Colts would not secede. Clawing their way back into the game, Oakes lead his Colts to two more touchdowns and brought the game to a 37-30 score with 3 minutes left to play. The Bulldogs defense would bend but would not break. The Colts drove deep into the redzone but with one minute, thirty seconds remaining Bellingham stopped the Colts drive short. Holding onto victory and keeping their home-playoff game hopes alive. Final score: 37-30. Click here to view photos of the game.

The Streak Continues, Slam Win Tenth Game.

The International Basketball League witnessed another victory for the Bellingham Slam as they crushed the visiting East Bay Pit Bulls from Livermore, California at Whatcom Pavilion Sunday, June 9^th. From the opening tip the Slam controlled the tempo and the scoreboard. Averaging a double digit lead in all four quarters, Bellingham cruised to a tenth straight victory and sit alone atop the IBL standings. With six games remaining on the regular season the Slam look forward at the opportunity to defend the IBL Championship title. Final score: 153-100. Click here to view photos of the game.

Bulldogs Grind-out a Win Over Buzzards

The South Lane Buzzards opened the game with a heavy dose of their running game, pushing the Bulldog's defense back onto the heals with a series of sweeps, traps and dives. Attacking the defensive line head-on. The four-quarterback rotation seemed to have caught Bellingham off-guard initially. Driving down the field the Buzzard scored a field goal on their first possession of the game.

Bellingham would answer quickly with a 65 yard bomb from Leon Lilley to Toby Seim. However the offense was unable to take advantage of the field position turned the ball over on downs. With the momentum favoring South Lane, Bellingham struggled to turn the advantage around. The Buzzards defense kept up the pressure on Lilley who was unable to get clean throwing lines. Both defenses stiffened, allowing yards but blanking the opposing offenses throughout the first half.

The opening kickoff of the second half sparked new life in the Bulldog offense as Miguel Pierre took the return to just inside the red zone. The next play from scrimmage saw Brett Hall push his way into the end zone for Bellingham's first score. The scoring would quickly cool again but tempers began to rise as penalty flags began to rain down for both sides. Either team unable to get a consistent rhythm to their offense with the constant shuffle of field position dictated by the referee.

Late in the fourth quarter the scoring drought was quenched when Bulldogs' defensive back Jon (Bizzle) Bon recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The Buzzards' defense also saw the end zone as defensive back Jamil Wynn picked off a pass from Leon Lilley and returned it 70 yards for South Lanes only touchdown. Bellingham would get the last word with less than two-minutes remaining and the Buzzards driving the field. Bulldogs' safety Miguel Pierre intercepted a deflected pass, sealing the victory for Bellingham. Final score: 14-11. Click here to view photos of the game.

Slam Renew Rivalry

Whatcom Pavilion played host to the rematch between 2012 International Basketball League Championship competitors; the Bellingham Slam and the Portland Chinooks Monday, May 27^th. Portland jumped out to an early lead and held firm for the entire first half. The fierce competition boiled over at one point, resulting in a technical foul and ejection of Slam guard Drew Ready. Although it is unclear of the reason. The Slam managed to tie the game in the last second of the first period but lost momentum in the second, trailing by three at the half. The third quarter saw Portland jump out again and dominate leading Bellingham through the third period. The Slam were down 71 to 88 at the beginning the fourth and trailed most of the period. With 16.5 seconds remaining Bellingham was down by two points. From the inbound pass the ball ended up in the hands of center Evan Matteson, who took a contested shot from behind the three-point arc and buried the ball with 0.5 seconds left to play. The Chinooks would commit an offensive foul sending the Slam to the free-throw line, putting the game out of reach. Final score: 106-105. Click here to view photos from the game.