RECORD: 6-3 – COACH: John Craig
LEAGUE: 5-3 (4th in the NWL)
CLASSIFICATION: AA – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 21.0 – Allowed: 12.8 – Differential: +8.2
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Bellingham 36, Monroe 0
Week 2: Bellingham 10, Sedro Woolley 0
Week 3: Bellingham 14, Lynden 7
Week 4: Burlington-Edison 27, Bellingham 21
Week 5: Sehome 20, Bellingham 0
Week 6: Bellingham 42, Anacortes 11
Week 7: Bellingham 42, Ferndale 7
Week 8: Bellingham 17, Stanwood 9
Week 9: Mount Vernon 34, Bellingham 7
The 1993 Red Raiders were the result of a good senior class that had gone through some losing seasons, and it was their turn to show some people what they can do. Even though they came up short on making the playoffs, it was the best Bellingham football team in the decade of the 1990’s.
Senior Caleb Jensen and junior Ryan J. Smith split time at quarterback during the season. Jensen completed 36-of-72 passes for 424 yards and one touchdown, while Smith completed 13-of-31 passes for 207 yards and five touchdowns. Even though Smith played less, he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Seniors Travis Edwards and Dave Clark was the best running back tandem in the league. Edwards ran 146 times for 923 yards (6.3 average) and 11 touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 53 yards and was named All-League 1st Team. Clark carried the ball 105 times for 675 yards (6.4) and five touchdowns, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Austin Williams proved to be a valuable backup, with 35 attempts for 255 yards (7.3) and a score.
Senior Ryan L. Smith led the Red Raiders in receiving with 21 catches for 305 yards (14.5) and four touchdowns. Senior Chris Lipton may have been on the smaller side (5’6″ 145), but he was a valuable receiver and kick returner. He finished with 12 receptions for 201 yards (16.8) and two touchdowns. Junior tight end Shane Kibler contributed with six catches for 83 yards (13.8).
The offensive line was featured in the Bellingham Herald a few weeks into the season, and they were a major force. From tackle to tackle, Bryce Allen, Hank Hoskins, Jared Aasheim, James Glunt and Tony Swope paved the way for the two star running backs. Allen, a senior, was the highest rated in the county, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Aasheim, a junior, was named All-League Honorable Mention.
Defense was a huge key to Bellingham’s success in 1993. They started out the season with two shutouts, and held three other opponents to just one touchdown each. It was a well-rounded defense that featured Swope on the defensive line, Edwards and linebacker and Jensen at safety. All three senior were named All-League 1st Team. Williams was named All-League 2nd Team on the defensive line and was incredibly stout up front. Clark joined his backfield teammate, Edwards, at linebacker and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Sophomore Ryan Bungard was a playmaker at defensive end, scoring a touchdown on a 40-yard fumble return against Anacortes, as well as intercepting a pass against Ferndale and returning it for a 28-yard touchdown, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. The defensive backfield also included both Ryan Smith’s, and Lipton. All three were named All-League Honorable Mention.
Senior Ryan Johnson handled the kicking duties. He connected on 18 extra points and three field goals, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention.
Some good memories with those guys.