RECORD: 7-2 – COACH: Tom Manke
LEAGUE: 6-2 (2nd Place in the NWL)
CLASSIFICATION: AA – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 21.3 – Allowed: 9.9 – Differential: +11.4
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Arlington 20, Ferndale 0
Week 2: Ferndale 22, Stanwood 13
Week 3: Ferndale 26, Sedro Woolley 24
Week 4: Ferndale 14, Mount Vernon 0
Week 5: Ferndale 34, Sehome 6
Week 6: Ferndale 29, West Vancouver 0
Week 7: Ferndale 28, Anacortes 0
Week 8: Ferndale 33, Burlington-Edison 14
Week 9: Bellingham 25, Ferndale 6
Mini-Playoff Game: Arlington 7, Ferndale 0
The 1981 Golden Eagles just couldn’t get past Arlington to get into the state tournament, but it was still a great season for a great team.
Senior quarterback John Swobody completed 30 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for two more scores. When he wasn’t dropping back to pass, he was likely handing off to arguably the best running back Whatcom County had to offer in the 1980’s. Senior John Locker had an another amazing season, rushing for 1228 yards (6.1 average) and 11 touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass, and was named All-League 1st Team for the third year in a row, and was named the League’s Offensive Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons. He graduated as Whatcom County’s leading career rusher, and it’s hard to believe he wasn’t named All-State. He remained the county’s all-time leading rusher for 10 years, and is currently ranked 8th all-time. Perhaps more impressive is that his 3371 rushing yards were accumulated before offensive linemen were allowed to use their hands, at all. Numbers shy-rocketed after that rule change.
Joining Locker in the backfield was junior Keith Hanson and senior Greg Ebe. Hanson finished with 301 yards (6.4), while Ebe plowed forward for 277 yards (3.9) and six touchdowns. John’s brother Scott Locker also made some big plays in the backfield, using his amazing speed. The junior only carried the ball nine times, but ran for 102 yards (11.3) and scored twice. Junior tight end Greg Finkbonner was the team’s leading receiver with nine catches for 117 yards (13.0) and two scores. He was also a great blocker, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Scott Locker caught eight passes for 97 yards (12.1) and two touchdowns.
The offensive line also got it done for the Golden Eagles, opening a lot of holes for it’s awesome running backs. Senior Tom Hull led the way from his center position, and the 5-foot-9 168-pounder was named All-League 2nd Team. Other standouts included seniors Ken Altona (6-0 180) and Tor Hanson (6-1 190). Both of which were also named All-League 2nd Team. Ferndale ran for over 2000 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per rushing play.
The defense shut out three opponents during the season, and the line was led by Altona, who was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined up front by All-League 2nd Teamer, Keith Hanson. Ebe was a rock in the middle, and he was named All-League 1st Team at linebacker. He also intercepted a pass against Sehome and brought it back 68 yards for a touchdown. John Locker led the secondary, and was named All-League 2nd Team.
Sophomore Jim Wilkerson handled the kicking, booting four extra points. The Golden Eagles opted to go for two points more often than not, and they converted nine times, with John Locker getting five of them. Scott Locker returned the kicks, and had a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown against Burlington-Edison.
