STANWOOD – The Spartans scored on a 37-yard touchdown pass with 1:45 left in the game as Stanwood defeated Ferndale 21-14 at Bob Larson Stadium on Friday night.
Stanwood got on the scoreboard first with a 1-yard touchdown run, and threatened to do so again, but an interception by junior safety Parker McManus gave the ball back to the Golden Eagles.
His interception would eventually set his team up for its first scoring drive, which ended with senior quarterback Nolan Boleak calling his own number on a 3-yard touchdown run. McManus’ kick tied the game up at 7-7 in the second quarter.
Ferndale was able to put together a great drive to start the second half with multiple first-down runs by senior Jon Stanek and junior Elliot Lenssen, and another on an inspiring run by Boleak that saw him break multiple tackles. Stanek finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. Lenssen finished the contest with a team-high 98 yards rushing on 17 carries.
The Spartans scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, but their kick on the extra point attempt was blocked by 6-foot-3 290-pound junior Braeden Hendrickson, which meant that the Golden Eagles were still held a slim 14-13 lead.
Ferndale attempted on a few drives to run the clock out, but the Stanwood defense made plays when it mattered most, and forced the Golden Eagles to punt. The final punt of the game gave the ball back to the Spartans who were then able to drive down the field and score the eventual game-winner.
Boleak completed a trio of passes on the final drive of the game, but came up short on fourth down.
McManus led the Ferndale defense with 6.5 tackles, three passes broken up and the interception. Senior defensive back Ryder Beaven had a team-high 9.5 tackles, and sophomore linebacker Chance Hatchett finished with 6.5 tackles, one tackle for loss and half a quarterback sack.
The Golden Eagles (2-3) will be back at home on Friday when they take on Snohomish (0-5) at 7:00.
Stanwood 21 Ferndale 14 FER 0 7 7 0 - 14 STA 7 0 6 8 - 21 STA - 1 yard touchdown run (kick good) FER - Boleak 3 run (McManus kick) FER - Stanek 5 run (McManus kick) STA - 10 yard touchdown pass (kick blocked) STA - 37 yard touchdown pass (2pt run good) FER STA 34-159 Rush Att-Yards 29-104 3-8-0 Comp-Att-Int 18-31-1 33 Passing Yards 296 Individual Leaders RUSHING - FER: Lenssen 17-98, Stanek 11-62, Boleak 6-(-1). STA: N/A. PASSING - FER: Boleak 3-8-0-33. STA: N/A. RECEIVING - FER: Hatchett 2-22, Vincent 1-11. STA: N/A.
