FERNDALE – The Golden Eagles gave a masterclass in hard-nosed football as they pounded their way to a 48-13 win over Oak Harbor on Friday night.
The win also meant that Ferndale will be seeded in the 3A Round-of-32 to get into the state playoffs.
It was a quick, efficient drive to start out the game for the Golden Eagles, and it was closed out by a 2-yard touchdown run by senior running Elliot Lenssen, who entered the game as Whatcom County’s leading touchdown scorer with 23.
Senior defensive end Trevor Kudsk then recovered a fumble to give the ball back to Ferndale, but the Golden Eagles weren’t able to possess the ball long as a fumble gave the ball right back to the Wildcats.
A quarterback sack on third down by junior defensive lineman Jakob Lindsey forced Oak Harbor to punt the ball, and Ferndale was once again able to go to the ground game, march down the field, and score. This time on a 5-yard run by Lenssen.
The Golden Eagles nearly got the ball back quickly on the following possession when Lenssen shot through the gap and forced a fumble from his strong safety position, but it was recovered by the offense. The Wildcats then scored on a 90-yard fly sweep on the next play to cut Ferndale’s lead in half, 14-7.
It would be all Ferndale from here on out, though, as junior Chance Hatchett was moved to the backfield at the goal line and the 225-pound freight train chugged through multiple defenders for a 1-yard touchdown. Lenssen also scored his third touchdown of the game in the first half and the Golden Eagles led 27-7 at the midway break.
Oak Harbor was forced to go for it on fourth down numerous times in the second half, and the Ferndale defense wasn’t allowing any elongated drives by the visiting team.
Lenssen then ripped off a 36-yard touchdown run, which was enabled by a crushing block down field by junior center Mason Butenschoen. Whatcom County’s leading rusher then scored his fifth touchdown of the game on a 10-yard run while still in the third quarter.
Sophomore running back Bobby Kelly got into the scoring mix in the fourth quarter when he galloped in from four yards out, which triggered the running clock.
The Wildcats were able to get into the end zone on a 2-yard score on the final play of the game.
The Golden Eagles (7-2) will host Liberty of Renton (7-3) at 7:00 on Friday for a spot in the 3A state tournament.
Ferndale 48
Oak Harbor 13
OH 7 0 0 6 - 13
FER 14 13 14 7 - 48
FER - Lenssen 2 run (Alvarez kick)
FER - Lenssen 5 run (Alvarez kick)
OH - 90 yard touchdown run (kick good)
FER - Hatchett 1 run (kick failed)
FER - Lenssen 3 run (Alvarez kick)
FER - Lenssen 36 run (Alvarez kick)
FER - Lenssen 10 run (Alvarez kick)
FER - Kelly 4 run (Alvarez kick)
OH - 2 yard touchdown run (no conversion attempted)
OH FER
27-192 Rush Att-Yards 55-453
4-10-0 Comp-Att-Int 1-2-0
62 Passing Yards 17
Individual Leaders
RUSHING - OH: N/A. FER: Lenssen 25-268, Broyles 17-152, Larson 5-13, Kelly 2-13, Saab 2-8, Mahaffey 2-7, Hatchett 1-1, Alvarez 1-(-9).
PASSING - OH: N/A. FER: Saab 1-2-0-17.
RECEIVING - OH: N/A. FER: Hatchett 1-17.
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