Ferndale shocks undefeated Stanwood on the road to claim 3A Wesco North title
STANWOOD, Wash. - Ferndale High School edge rusher Jake Mason and the rest of the Golden Eagles would like everyone to remember they're still here.
That message couldn't have been sent any more clearly than with Ferndale upending previously-unbeaten Stanwood, 28-7, on Friday night in the 3A Wesco North title game.
Except for giving up one touchdown in the second quarter, the Golden Eagles completely shut down anything the No. 7 Spartans tried to do offensively, especially with Ryder Bumgarner, one of the top backs in the state.
It was a battle that was won in the trenches and started with Ferndale punching Stanwood in the mouth for the first 12 minutes of the game.
"They have some big boys and they had a good game plan going in," Stanwood coach Jeff Scoma said. "Credit to them. I think we were close and we'll be a better team because of it."
Running back Isaiah Carlson got it started for the Golden Eagles with a 3-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the game.
Carlson scored his second touchdown of the game – this one from 20 yards out – to put Ferndale up by two possessions after a Stanwood three-and-out.
Sophomore running back Zach Nielsen put the cherry on top of the first quarter with a 6-yard rushing touchdown and just like that, Ferndale led 20-0 less than nine minutes into the game.
Stanwood responded with a 52-yard catch and run from running back Carson Beckt to bring the score to 20-7, but Ferndale got some unexpected motivation from the sidelines.
Ferndale coach Jamie Plenkovich was thrown out of the game in the second quarter for unknown reasons, leaving the Golden Eagles without their longtime coach the rest of the game.
Stepping into Plenkovich's place was defensive coordinator Donny Hennigs, but the Ferndale assistant was quick to give everyone credit after the game.
"It was a group effort. I was just kind of being the organizer," Hennigs said. "That's what good teams do. They come together and pick each other up. We ask our kids to do it all the time and that's what we expect as a staff, too."
Ferndale quarterback Bishop Ootsey scored the final touchdown of the game on a 1-yard keeper in the fourth quarter.
Not only were the Golden Eagles' 28 points the most Stanwood has surrendered this season, the Spartans' typically electric offense was held to a season-low seven points.
"Our run defense was really good and keying in on (Bumgarner) and not letting him get loose," Hennigs said. "Just a heck of an effort by our guys up front."
Ferndale earned the 3A Wesco North title with the win and will play Monroe, the top seed out of the 3A Wesco South, for the league championship next week.
