Bulldogs Season Ends in Last Second Thriller

The Bellingham Bulldogs complete their 2014 Pacific Football League season with a first-round playoff upset at the hands on the Portland Monarchs Saturday, July 12^th at Civic Field. The Bulldogs stood atop the PFL North Division with a 6-2 record (7-3 overall) and was the clear favorite to make a repeat appearance in the PFL Championship game. But the 3-5 (5-5 overall) Monarchs would not secede victory based on the standings.

A rare occurrence of sunshine in Bellingham had baked the field all day, combined with a stifling humidity, the players on both sides played a bit sluggish to start. After a turnover on downs by Bellingham on their first possession Portland drove the ball down field only to fumble on the 2-yard line. Eric Taylor took control and marched his Bulldogs the length of the field with a mix of runs and short passes, capping the drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Douglas Miller. Portland would answer quickly as a defensive gaff allowed quarterback Phil DuPont to find wide receiver Russell Millage deep behind the Bulldogs pass defense for a 58-yard touchdown.

Portland began to push the Bulldogs defense around in the second quarter, moving the ball at will. But Bellingham would not quit, forcing another fumble in the Monarchs red zone, killing their scoring opportunity. Both offenses stall as the next series of possessions end in punts. The Bulldogs show signs of life when Taylor again finds Miller for a big gain but a poor throw the following play results in an interception. The offenses continue to struggle on both sides until the last play of the half when Taylor finds Toby Seim over the middle, scorching Portland with a 45-yard touchdown bomb.

The third quarter begins with a steady dose of Taylor and running back Donovan Dunmore driving the ball down field. But the drive stalls and the Monarchs take the opportunity to even the score with another deep 57-yard touchdown pass from DuPont to Bijan Tavazoie.

The Monarchs' defense stiffens and pushes the Bulldogs back to their own goal line as the fourth quarter begins with a safety. The Bulldogs rally and on the following Monarchs possession Miguel Pierre plucks another interception out of the air giving Bellingham another opportunity. A series of penalties kill the drive but the Bulldog defense was not giving in. Forcing a punt deep into their territory, Bellingham's Dunmore would make the best of a short field, ripping through Portland's defensive line for a 42-yard touchdown run.

The Monarchs' special teams would gain the upper-hand, pushing deep into Bellingham territory on a big kick return. The Bulldogs' goal line defense had stopped Portland's charge for four straight downs but a costly penalty gave the Monarchs a fresh set of downs. Bellingham again stops two runs short of the goal line and nearly intercepted a pass but DuPont was finally able to punch in a 2-yard touchdown dart to tight end Steven Littleton.

Heartbroken, with 23.7 seconds remaining, the Bulldogs' championship hope rested on a great kick return and quick score. Eric Taylor returns the ball to the 40-yard line. Taylor gains 12 more yards on the following play. But with 6 seconds left Portland sacks Taylor as time expires. Final score 20-22. Click here to view photos from the game.

Slam Soar Past Flight

The Bellingham Slam racked up their 11th straight win on the 2014 International Basketball League season and completed their season sweep of the Seattle Flight at DuVall Pavilion in Mount Vernon Friday, June 20th. The Flight were out-maned and out-matched, with only six on the night's roster, Seattle could not keep pace with the fresh legs of the Slam's bench. Rico Wilkins lead all Slam scorers with 27 points. Bellingham has a 13-2 overall record and are alone at the top of the IBL standings. Final score: 139-118. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bulldogs Overwhelm Stallions

The Bellingham Bulldogs welcomed their opponents from Shoreline, The Seattle Stallions, as storm clouds threatened to drop their payload onto Civic Field, Saturday, June 14th. Bellingham's focus was intense as the Pacific Football League's second season loomed around the corner.

The intensity increased early, with their opening drive the Bulldogs marched down field to score a touchdown from Eric Taylor to Douglas Miller. Bellingham defense brought up their intensity as well forcing an interception by Miguel Pierre on the Stallions first drive. The two teams battled, trading three and out possessions, but the Stallions passing game eventually turned a short field into two touchdowns.

Bellingham's offense stalled in the second quarter, unable to make a sustained drive it was up to the Bulldogs defense to keep the Stallions from scoring again. With the half winding down and Seattle attacking the red zone Bellingham's Arthur Sanchez intercepts a Stallion pass, shifting the momentum back to Bellingham.

The third quarter began the way second quarter ended with another Bulldogs defensive stand and turnover. The offensive turned the short field into points with a quick pass from Taylor to Toby Seim in his first home game after suffering an injury. The two teams exchanged possession again before the Bulldogs' Jason Walters intercepted the ball giving Bellingham's offense another short field. Eric Taylor would use his legs to score from 10 yards out.

A big punt return by Miguel Pierre early in the fourth quarter turned into a circus catch for a touchdown from Taylor to Seim. Proving that Toby is back at full strength. The Bulldogs' defense would add one more interception for the night and would stand firm despite a blocked field goal attempt returned for a touchdown by the Stallions. In customary Bulldogs fashion, the defense closed out the game with a walk-off sack, executed by Josh Heard. Final score: 27-18. Click here to view photos of the game.

Slam Best All-Stars

The Bellingham Slam take their winning streak to nine in a row as they beat a team of the International Basketball League stars Friday, June 6^th at the Whatcom Pavilion. Slam head coach continues his roll as player/coach, coming off the bench to contribute 14-points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists in the winning effort. Blake Poole lead all Slam scorers with 26-points. The Slam are now into the home stretch with their sites set on the IBL playoffs and another run at a championship. Final score: 136-118. Click here to view photos from the game.

Bulldogs Wrangle Mavericks

The Bellingham Bulldogs were host to a familiar opponent Saturday, May 31 at Civic Field. The Yakima Mavericks made the long journey from the middle of Washington to continue their long-standing rivalry. With Toby Seim still out with an injured knee, the Bulldogs offense needed to step up quickly to establish a lead over the cunning Mavericks. Quarterback Eric Taylor was back under center, although Yakima's secondary did show their ability to take away passing lanes, it did not take long for Taylor to find his wide receivers. The Bulldogs jumped ahead with a touchdown pass from Taylor to Jacob Bartel early in the second quarter.

Bellingham's defense stood firm as a determined Yakima offense attempted to establish their running attack. The ball changed possession often. The Mavericks took advantage of a interception deep in their territory and scored a touchdown to tie the score late in the second. But the Bulldogs struck back quickly with a 41-yard touchdown run after the catch from Taylor to Cody Oakes, giving Bellingham a 14-7 halftime lead.

Yakima began moving the ball down field in the second half but the Bulldogs defense would prove to be too much for the Maverick to break through. Bellingham stopped several drives short of the goal line as the Bulldogs offensive line kept up their dominance allowing Taylor to scramble and throw at will. After the Bulldogs scored on another touchdown pass and kicked a 36-yard field goal in the third Yakima finally saw the end zone again. Scoring on a 49-yard touchdown pass in the fourth bring the score to 24-14.

Eric Taylor would respond with a 65-yard scramble for a touchdown. Both sides would trade turnovers on downs before Taylor would again find Oakes in the end zone for a 10-yard score. The Bulldogs defense would add insult to injury, forcing a fumble which was picked up by Caleb Rodriguez who scored their final touchdown. Yakima added a 10-yard touchdown pass but the damage had been done. Final score: 45-21. Click here to view photos from the game.