RECORD: 7-2 – COACH: John Craig
LEAGUE: 6-2 (3rd in the NWL)
CLASSIFICATION: AA – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 21.7 – Allowed: 12.1 – Differential: +9.6
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Bellingham 14, Oak Harbor 9
Week 2: Ferndale 24, Bellingham 7
Week 3: Burlington-Edison 31, Bellingham 14
Week 4: Bellingham 16, Arlington 0
Week 5: Bellingham 35, Mount Vernon 0
Week 6: Bellingham 13, Sehome 0
Week 7: Bellingham 35, Stanwood 6
Week 8: Bellingham 34, Anacortes 27
Week 9: Bellingham 27, Sedro Woolley 12
Although the 1988 Red Raiders weren’t the playoff juggernaut team from the previous season, they were still very good. Gone were the likes of Jeff Smits, Kevin Engman, Matt Zandstra, Brian Talley, Greg Enell and Terry Birdsell, but they still had a good core of players returning.
Senior quarterback Sean Linville was named as the All-State 1st Team quarterback for the second season in a row. He completed 92-of-177 passes for 1163 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also ran for 193 yards and six scores, finishing his stellar career as the first player in Whatcom County history to pass for over 4000 yards. Junior Justin LeMoine showed what he could do in his first year as a starting running back, gaining 680 yards on 103 carries (6.6 average) and five touchdowns on his way to being named All-League 2nd Team. Fellow junior Eric Smith carried the ball 64 times for 341 yards (5.3) and two scores.
Senior wide receiver Eric Swanson and senior tight end Jason Staeber dominated their respective positions, each earning All-League 1st Team honors. Swanson caught 28 passes for 424 yards (15.1) and five touchdowns. Staeber had 25 receptions for 378 yards (15.1) and five scores. Smith caught 17 passes for 182 yards (10.7) while sophomore Ty Elmendorf and senior Todd Bring each caught eight passes.
The offensive line was led by All-League 1st Teamer and All-State 1st Team selection, senior Pete Kaligis. Senior Randy Carr was also named All-League 1st Team, and junior center Travis Otter was named All-League 2nd Team. Bellingham averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a team, and had 13 rushing touchdowns.
Highlighting the season for the Red Raiders, defensively, were the three consecutive shout outs in the middle of the year. Up front, Carr and Otter were amazing, and both players were named All-League 1st Team. Senior Todd Heinrich (6-1 220) was a force up front, and was named All-League 2nd Team. The linebacking corps was led by Kaligis, who was named All-League 2nd Team. The secondary was headed up by Linville (All-League 1st Team) and Swanson (All-League 2nd Team)
Senior Brian Prouty handled the kicking duties. He connected on 20 extra points.
