Bellingham may have lost to Sedro Woolley 59-20 on Saturday night. But, two school records were broken that night. And, amazingly, they were both broken on the same play.

https://youtu.be/oAxOapxv87U

On that play, senior quarterback Nick Knuston passed Sean Linville’s 29-year old record as the school’s career leader in touchdown passes with 35. Also, on the same play, junior Spencer Lee broke a 36-year old record that was held by former Seattle Seahawk, Brant Bengen. Lee’s 81-yard touchdown gave him the most career receiving yards in school history. He now has 1210 receiving yards, and will continue to add to his record through next season!

After defeating crosstown rival Sehome 39-20 on Friday night, the Bellingham football team now stands at 3-3. It could be just what the team needed to springboard it into the second half of the season, and looking at a possible postseason berth. Another wave of momentum could be knowing that senior quarterback Nick Knutson has tied Sean Linville’s school record for career completions (280) and passing touchdowns (34).

Linville was legendary in his three-year run as the Red Raider starting quarterback. He led Bellingham to a 21-9 record, including a deep playoff run in 1987. He also graduated as Whatcom County’s career passing leader, and was the first player in Whatcom County history to surpass 4000 yards passing in a career. He was also named All-State 1st Team on two separate occasions.

The Mariner’s offense has been exciting to watch this season, but perhaps it’s most exciting when #11 has the ball, that being Melloy Nelson. Only a sophomore, Nelson can be seen all over the field. He’s a main contributor in all three phases of the game, as a wide receiver, a defensive back, and he also kicks, punts and returns kicks.

“He makes fast kids look not very fast,” said Sehome first-year coach Kevin Beason.

Beason has yet to steer his Mariners into the win column, but the future looks bright with Nelson and company. As of now, Nelson is only five catches away from breaking the school record for receptions in a season by a sophomore, which is 25 by current Washington Husky, Taylor Rapp. Rapp graduated as Sehome’s All-Time leading receiver.

Taylor Rapp’s sophomore season at Sehome: 25 receptions, 353 yards and two touchdowns

Melloy Nelson’s current sophomore season: 20 receptions, 251 yards and four touchdown

It was pretty awesome two weeks ago when Blaine senior quarterback Cam Ellis broke a 21-year old school record, by passing for 387 yards against Meridian. He just did it again. On Friday night at Civic Field he threw for 439 yards against Bellingham. His 33 completions also broke the school record (which was 23 held by Sean Allen, along with Ellis from two weeks ago). His 51 pass attempts on Friday night is another school record that Ellis set, breaking Caleb Luehmann’s 21-year old record of 40. Bellingham won the game 36-35 in a thrilling finish.

Today’s offenses are putting up huge numbers, and scoring a lot of points! Squalicum’s 85 points in week two was the highest ever output by a Whatcom County team. The 2000 Meridian Trojans put up 81 against South Whidbey and the 2001 Lynden Christian Lyncs scored 80 against Granite Falls. Both of those games were shutouts.

However, no team has put up more points per game than the 1999 Trojans. They unbelievably had SEVEN players score at least 10 touchdowns, just think about that for a minute.

1. Joel Pears – 16
2. Jarrod Karuza – 15
3. Eli Slesk – 13
4. Chase Schmidtz – 13
5. Matt Matheson – 13
6. Jeff Bennum – 12
7. Corey Culp – 10

Here is the list of teams that have averaged OVER 40 points per game for an entire season, which includes three teams from last season:

1. 1999 Meridian – 52.8
2. 2005 Ferndale – 50.6
3. 2003 Meridian – 45.6
4. 2016 Squalicum – 45.4
5. 2016 Mount Baker – 44.4
6. 2012 Lynden – 43.9
7. 2008 Ferndale – 42.9
8. 2010 Meridian – 42.8
9. 2015 Mount Baker – 42.3
10. 2001 Meridian – 41.5
11. 2013 Mount Baker – 41.1
12. 2012 Ferndale – 40.4
13. 2016 Ferndale – 40.4
14. 2002 Meridian – 40.2

Three years ago a tall, athletic freshman roamed the Mountaineer sidelines. Mount Baker has produced dozens of great running backs, and Thomas Barbo appeared to be the next big thing in the red and black backfield. In week two he ran for 70 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 56 yards and a score against Cedar Park Christian, helping the Mounties get into the state playoffs, it was a great freshman season.

As a sophomore, he started the season as a running back, but he was moved permanently to wide receiver. It proved to be a tremendous move, and in week five he caught seven passes for 183 and a touchdown in a thrilling 33-28 win against Meridian. He’s been racking up the receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns through the air ever since. Mount Baker might not be known for airing it out, but Barbo has become the leading receiver in school history, and is among the best receivers in Whatcom County history.

He currently ranks 20th All-Time in career receiving yards, below you can see the current leaders in career receiving yards.

1. Mitchell Tripp, Mer – 2877
2. Ben Peterson, Squ – 2801
3. Jordan Wittenberg, Lyn – 2619
4. Zach Vis, Lyn – 2561
5. Ryan Van Diest, Lyn – 2323
6. Trey Handy, NV – 2241
7. Anthony Ball, Bla – 2092
8. Blair Bomber, Lyn – 2082
9. Dominic Chambers, Mer – 1952
10. Trevor Chau, Bla – 1848
11. Greg Wright, Bla – 1800
12. Mike Perez, MB/NV – 1798
13. Josiah Westbrook, Bla/Squ – 1736
14. Scooter Hastings, Lyn – 1714
15. Josh Keough, Mer – 1710
16. Justin Brann, Lyn – 1710
17. Dirk Dallas, Lyn – 1642
18. Damek Mitchell, Squ – 1635
19. Todd Bird, Bla – 1597
20. Thomas Barbo, MB – 1586
21. Joel Pears, Mer – 1492
22. Kelley Thrift, Mer – 1447
23. Ryan Seto, Lyn – 1444
24. Anthony Reese, NV – 1412
25. Jalani Phelps, Lyn – 1379

Top Ten Passers:

Whatcom County’s Top 20 Rushers after week two.