Narrow Escape, Bulldogs Hold Off Charging Colts

After the devastating loss in Seattle the Bellingham Bulldogs looked for redemption as the South King County Colts rolled into town for a Pacific Football League heavy-weight match. The Colts carry a 6-1 record, atop the PFL standings along side the Seattle Stallions. Bellingham's recent loss to the Stallions put them in a possible road-playoff situation, with a 6-2 record the Bulldogs may not get a playoff game at home.  

In addition to the standings the Bulldogs were dealing with several injuries and the loss of their starting quarterback. Bellingham would decide to put Eric Taylor in to run the offense. The Colts however have a familiar face under center, former Bulldog Cody Oakes returned for redemption of his own.

The game started off a little sluggishly. Neither offense could manage a consistent drive to move the ball and traded punts early. After a scoreless first quarter the Bulldogs made a push into scoring position and kicked a 10-yard field goal. On the following Colts drive the Bulldogs defense stripped the ball from Oakes, giving the offense a shortened field. A few plays later Bellingham's Eric Taylor found wide receiver Douglas Miller for a three-yard touchdown pass.

This proved to be the turning point in the game as both offenses began to move the ball with an increased intensity. Both Bulldogs and Colts unleashed a flurry of running and pass attacks that netted yards and points. Through the second quarter and into the third the titans of the gridiron traded blows and countered one another. Bellingham however got the best of the Colts and began to pull ahead on the scoreboard. Late in the third quarter the Bulldogs had a 37-16 lead and what seemed to be a win was within grasp.

Cody Oakes and the Colts would not secede. Clawing their way back into the game, Oakes lead his Colts to two more touchdowns and brought the game to a 37-30 score with 3 minutes left to play. The Bulldogs defense would bend but would not break. The Colts drove deep into the redzone but with one minute, thirty seconds remaining Bellingham stopped the Colts drive short. Holding onto victory and keeping their home-playoff game hopes alive. Final score: 37-30. Click here to view photos of the game.