BLAINE – In a game that featured 16 touchdowns, 16 onside kicks, 10 two-point conversion attempts, and just two punts, it felt like a Madden Football video game. Only one problem, video games can’t end in a tie.
Football games in Washington state don’t end in ties either, as two major changes were put into place going into the 1973 season. One was the implementation of the football state tournaments, and the other was no more ties. In fact, the last football game played in Whatcom County that ended in a tie was the 1972 season finale between Mount Baker and Lynden for the Whatcom County League Championship.
The final score was 0-0.
The game has evolved a little since then, and last night’s contest between the Borderites and Friday Harbor ended at 54-54 after the regulation time ran out. The Wolverines were unable to stick around to play overtime as they needed to catch the ferry back home on a school night.
The game had multiple big plays by both teams early on as Blaine gave up an early touchdown, but then quickly countered with a 4-yard touchdown run by junior running back Saihou Kanagie. The ensuing kickoff was recovered by junior Connor Brown, and the Borderites capitalized with a 1-yard touchdown run by sophomore Asher Hagee.
Friday Harbor connected on a long touchdown pass, and Brown countered with a 40-yard scoring toss to junior wide receiver Isaac Bouma.
The Wolverines then scored back-to-back touchdowns to end the first half, and go into the midway break with a 26-20 lead.
Friday Harbor kept the gas on in the third quarter by scoring the next two touchdowns, to put the 2B school up 40-20 halfway through the third quarter.
Kanagie then ripped off his biggest run of the season, which covered 40 yards and ended with six points to give the Borderites new life, and the two teams traded touchdowns to end the third quarter with Blaine’s coming on a 32-yard pitch and catch from Brown to Bouma.
Bouma finished with game with 160 yards receiving, and broke the school record for receiving yards in a season with 1108. The previous record was held by Todd Bird who finished with 1078 yards receiving in 2010.
The Wolverines maintained their lead into the final period, and added to it when they scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, and then added the two-point conversion to go up 54-33 with 9:47 left in the game.
Blaine needed to act fast, but the Wolverines added to the momentum by picking off a pass.
Friday Harbor’s time-consuming offense continued to let the clock tick away while crossing midfield. However, an errant snap was recovered by senior Matt Noa and the Borderites had new life at their own 43-yard line with 6:34 left in the game. But, they were still down by three touchdowns.
Quick passes and strong running got Blaine down to the 1-yard line where sophomore running back Rashaan Paez punched it in. Hunter Candanoza’s extra point was good, and now Blaine trailed by 14 with 4:48 left in the game.
The Borderites kicked an onside kick which was recovered by junior Ivan Vekved, and Blaine retained possession at the Wolverine 40-yard line. Seven plays later, Brown found Candanoza for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Knowing they needed at least one 2-point conversion to get the win, Blaine tried for it after Candanoza’s touchdown, but the pas knocked away and the Borderites trailed 54-46 with 2:33 left in the game.
Friday Harbor recovered the ensuing onside kick, and went back to its run-heavy offense which allowed the time to wind down quickly. The Wolverines picked up multiple first downs, crossed midfield and it looked like a sure victory for the visitors, but another errant snap sailed past the 50-yard line with less than a minute in the game. Bouma was able to scoop it up at the 41-yard line and sprint towards the end zone for the touchdown.
This time, Blaine’s two-point try was successful as Brown hit Candanoza on a quick slant to tie the game at 54-54 with 56 seconds left.
The Wolverines recovered the ensuing kickoff, took a couple of knees and hustled to the bus in fear of missing the final ferry for the night, and Blaine’s season came to a close with a record of 3-6-1.
Blaine 54
Friday Harbor 54
FH 20 6 20 8 - 54
BLA 20 0 13 21 - 54
FH - 7 yard touchdown run (kick blocked)
BLA - Kanagie 4 run (kick failed)
BLA - Hagee 1 run (run failed)
FH - 45 yard touchdown pass (pass failed)
BLA - I. Bouma 40 pass from Brown (Hagee run)
FH - 14 yard touchdown pass (2pt run good)
FH - 1 yard touchdown run (kick blocked)
FH - 1 yard touchdown run (2pt run good)
FH - 47 yard touchdown run (run failed)
BLA - Kanagie 40 run (kick failed)
FH - 5 yard touchdown run (pass failed)
BLA - I. Bouma 32 pass from Brown (Candanoza kick)
FH - 2 yard touchdown run (2pt run good)
BLA - Paez 1 run (Candanoza kick)
BLA - Candanoza 28 pass from Brown (pass failed)
BLA - I. Bouma 41 fumble return (Candanoza pass from Brown)
FH BLA
41-243 Rush Att-Yards 22-134
4-8-0 Comp-Att-Int 18-35-1
101 Passing Yards 316
Individual Leaders
RUSHING - FH: N/A. BLA: Kanagie 10-106, Paez 4-30, Hagee 4-21, Brown 4-(-23).
PASSING - FH: N/A. BLA: Brown 18-35-1-316.
RECEIVING - FH: N/A. BLA: I. Bouma 9-160, Candanoza 6-122, Bogaards 2-27, Rose 1-7.
Well, $64 million question is: Did they make their ferry on time?