The
Bellingham Bulldogs complete their 2014 Pacific Football League
season with a first-round playoff upset at the hands on the Portland
Monarchs Saturday, July 12th at Civic Field. The Bulldogs
stood atop the PFL North Division with a 6-2 record (7-3 overall) and
was the clear favorite to make a repeat appearance in the PFL
Championship game. But the 3-5 (5-5 overall) Monarchs would not
secede victory based on the standings.
A
rare occurrence of sunshine in Bellingham had baked the field all
day, combined with a stifling humidity, the players on both sides
played a bit sluggish to start. After a turnover on downs by
Bellingham on their first possession Portland drove the ball down
field only to fumble on the 2-yard line. Eric Taylor took control and
marched his Bulldogs the length of the field with a mix of runs and
short passes, capping the drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to
Douglas Miller. Portland would answer quickly as a defensive gaff
allowed quarterback Phil DuPont to find wide receiver Russell Millage
deep behind the Bulldogs pass defense for a 58-yard touchdown.
Portland
began to push the Bulldogs defense around in the second quarter,
moving the ball at will. But Bellingham would not quit, forcing
another fumble in the Monarchs red zone, killing their scoring
opportunity. Both offenses stall as the next series of possessions
end in punts. The Bulldogs show signs of life when Taylor again finds
Miller for a big gain but a poor throw the following play results in
an interception. The offenses continue to struggle on both sides
until the last play of the half when Taylor finds Toby Seim over the
middle, scorching Portland with a 45-yard touchdown bomb.
The
third quarter begins with a steady dose of Taylor and running back
Donovan Dunmore driving the ball down field. But the drive stalls and
the Monarchs take the opportunity to even the score with another deep
57-yard touchdown pass from DuPont to Bijan Tavazoie.
The
Monarchs' defense stiffens and pushes the Bulldogs back to their own
goal line as the fourth quarter begins with a safety. The Bulldogs
rally and on the following Monarchs possession Miguel Pierre plucks
another interception out of the air giving Bellingham another
opportunity. A series of penalties kill the drive but the Bulldog
defense was not giving in. Forcing a punt deep into their territory,
Bellingham's Dunmore would make the best of a short field, ripping
through Portland's defensive line for a 42-yard touchdown run.
The
Monarchs' special teams would gain the upper-hand, pushing deep into
Bellingham territory on a big kick return. The Bulldogs' goal line
defense had stopped Portland's charge for four straight downs but a
costly penalty gave the Monarchs a fresh set of downs. Bellingham
again stops two runs short of the goal line and nearly intercepted a
pass but DuPont was finally able to punch in a 2-yard touchdown dart
to tight end Steven Littleton.
Heartbroken,
with 23.7 seconds remaining, the Bulldogs' championship hope rested
on a great kick return and quick score. Eric Taylor returns the ball
to the 40-yard line. Taylor gains 12 more yards on the following
play. But with 6 seconds left Portland sacks Taylor as time expires.
Final score 20-22. Click here to view photos from the game.