BY JEFF WOOD – For Whatcom Preps
FERNDALE – The Ferndale Golden Eagles hosted the Edmonds-Woodway Warriors on Saturday at Memorial Stadium for the right to advance to the 3A round of 32 playoffs. And after one half of football, it looked like the visitors were going to be the team to keep playing meaningful football.
However, the Ferndale Golden Eagles came out in the third quarter inspired and played an excellent second half. Ferndale scored four touchdowns after intermission and their defense limited the Warrior passing game. The comeback resulted in a 35-27 victory for the Golden Eagles, ensuring them the coveted spot playoff spot.
Receiving the first kickoff, Ferndale picked up two rushing first downs but were forced to put on their first possession. One more punt by each team followed before the Warriors got on the scoreboard first on a 20-yard touchdown reception to take a 7-0 lead with 1:15 to play in the first quarter.
The Golden Eagles answered with a 72-yard drive taking only four plays to get into the end zone, and the one-yard plunge by senior fullback Jon Stanek tied the game at 7-7 just one tick into the second quarter.
Edmonds-Woodway then took the lead on a heavily penalty aided drive. A 9-yard touchdown reception put the Warriors up 14-7.
The teams traded turnovers, but the Warriors were able to get into the end zone again before time ran out in the half. After passing their way into the red zone, Warriors tailback Carmelo LaRocca took a handoff one yard for a touchdown. This extended the Edmonds lead to 21-7 as the teams headed to the locker rooms for intermission.
What was said in the halftime meeting and the adjustments made by Jamie Plenkovich and the Ferndale coaches did the trick, as the Golden Eagles came out in the third quarter and played their best half of the season.
It started with a three and out from the defense. That was quickly followed by an 84-yard touchdown run by junior halfback Elliot Lenssen. After the PAT, Ferndale had closed the Warrior lead to 21-14 with 9:54 remaining in the third quarter.
The Warriors moved backwards on their next possession as self-inflicted penalties put them in the hole with a third-and-26 that they failed to convert.
After the Edmonds punt, Ferndale kept the ball on the ground, rushing five consecutive plays in a 74-yard touchdown drive. Using their short yardage package, senior fullback Jon Stanek broke free on a 52-yard burst to hit paydirt. The touchdown tied it at 21-21 as the Golden Eagles grabbed the momentum.
Trying to regain its footing, Edmonds-Woodway went back to the air and was successful, answering the Ferndale score with a 20-yard touchdown pass to regain the lead. The point after was kicked wide left and no good, and the Warriors advantage was only six points at 27- 21.
Ferndale was methodical and patient on their next possession, taking 11 plays to go 78 yards. This drive ended in another Stanek rushing touchdown, this one a 6-yard run as he bulldozed his way into the end zone. The all-important extra point split the uprights and the Golden Eagles led for the first time in the game 28-27.
The Warriors had over seven minutes of clock to work with on their ensuing offensive possession, but the Golden Eagle defense rose to the occasion. After a first down incompletion, a running play was stuffed at the line of scrimmage. A Warrior receiver looked to be open on third down, but the Ferndale rush caused an inaccurate throw which fell to the ground incomplete. On fourth down and long, Edmonds-Woodway elected to punt.
Looking to salt the game away, the Ferndale offensive line was pivotal in a successful 4th-and-2 conversion near midfield. Their next play was counter-trey to Lenssen who hit the hole and turned on the jets for a 52-yard touchdown.
The score extended the Golden Eagle lead to 35-27 and gave Lenssen 266 yards for the game on 21 carries. A final drive for the Warriors was thwarted when a long 4th-down pass was broken up in the end zone by junior safety Parker McManus.
Ferndale completed the comeback against Edmond-Woodway, winning the game 35-27. The Golden Eagles advance to the round of 32 and will find out their opponent later today.
Ferndale 35 Edmonds-Woodway 27 E-W 7 14 6 0 - 27 FER 0 7 14 14 - 35 E-W - 20 yard touchdown pass (kick good) FER - Stanek 1 run (McManus kick) E-W - 9 yard touchdown pass (kick good) E-W - 1 yard touchdown run (kick good) FER - Lenssen 84 run (McManus kick) FER - Stanek 52 run (McManus kick) E-W - 20 yard touchdown pass (kick failed) FER - Stanek 6 run (McManus kick) FER - Lenssen 52 run (McManus kick) E-W FER 25-74 Rush Att-Yards 41-408 20-34-0 Comp-Att-Int 6-11-2 305 Passing Yards 82 Individual Leaders RUSHING - E-W: N/A. FER: Lenssen 21-266, Stanek 17-144, Beaven 1-4, Larson 1-0, Boleak 1-(-6). PASSING - E-W: N/A. FER: Boleak 6-11-2-82. RECEIVING - E-W: N/A. FER: Hatchett 3-31, Mahaffey 1-42, Vasak 1-5, Vincent 1-4.
