BELLINGHAM – It was the perfect storm for the Bayhawks.
With nearly a dozen key players unable to suit up, Bellingham was already facing an uphill climb as it entered the season to face defending state champion Archbishop Murphy. The Wildcats showed early on that they aren’t slowing down from the long offseason, as they scored five touchdowns in the first quarter before defeating the Bayhawks 55-15 at Civic Stadium on Thursday night.
Too much size, strength, speed and overall ability spelled doom for Bellingham in the first half as the score was 48-0 at the midway break.
The Bayhawks started to rattle off a few big plays in the third quarter, which included an incredible acrobatic catch by senior wide receiver Matthew Steel from senior quarterback Ben Leonard which resulted in a 31-yard gain.
Sophomore Max Pham was also able to pounce on the football after the previously punted ball was inadvertently touched by a Wildcat player. Pham then made his presence known moments later when he squared up a ball carrier and forced a fumble, which was recovered by junior MJ Maina.
Leonard and Steel connected twice for touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, and Steel finished with six receptions for 101 yards.
Senior linebacker Calvin VanHofwegen led the defense with four tackles.
The Bayhawks (0-1) will host Sultan at Civic Stadium on Friday at 7:00.
Archbishop Murphy 55 Bellingham 15 ATM 35 13 0 7 - 55 BEL 0 0 0 15 - 15 ATM - 47 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 39 yard touchdown pass (kick good) ATM - 70 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 34 yard touchdown pass (kick good) ATM - 15 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 17 yard touchdown pass (kick failed) ATM - 1 yard touchdown run (kick good) BEL - Steel 9 pass from B. Leonard (Schupbach pass from N. Leonard) ATM - 29 yard touchdown run (kick good) BEL - Steel 2 pass from B. Leonard (Diaz kick) ATM BEL 27-400 Rush Att-Yards 24-10 4-7-0 Comp-Att-Int 8-18-1 118 Passing Yards 115 Individual Leaders RUSHING - ATM: N/A. BEL: Maina 19-25, Steel 1-2, B. Leonard 4-(-17). PASSING - ATM: N/A. BEL: B. Leonard 8-18-1-115. RECEIVING - ATM: N/A. BEL: Steel 6-101, Button 1-12, Maina 1-2.
When is someone going to step up and do something about this nonsense. How on earth do we allow Private powerhouse teams who can pull talent from wherever they want compete at the 2a level? They either need to go 4A to the top or create their own Division. It is not in the best interest in the developement of the sport, it’s not safe and definitely not conducive to fair play. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a proponent of everyone getting participation ribbons, but when a small town 2A school has to attempt to compete with the groomed God given talent of our Private schools, they don’t have a chance. My 2 cents.