RECORD: 8-1 – COACH: Vel West
LEAGUE: 7-1 (2nd Place in the NWL)
CLASSIFICATION: “AA” – Playoffs: None
POINTS PER GAME: 22.1 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 9.8
POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +12.3
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Bellingham 25, Liberty (Issaquah) 7
Week 2: Bellingham 26, Mount Vernon 0
Week 3: Bellingham 28, Sehome 6
Week 4: Bellingham 23, Ferndale 15
Week 5: Bellingham 19, Lake Stevens 18
Week 6: Bellingham 19, Anacortes 12
Week 7: Burlington-Edison 27, Bellingham 8
Week 8: Bellingham 8, Monroe 7
Week 9: Bellingham 43, Stanwood 14
They had a bruising defense, they had a powerful run game and they had a tremendously strong offensive line. The one thing they didn’t have was a playoff appearance. In 1977 only one team from the Northwest League made the state playoffs, and that was the league champion, and eventual state champion, Burlington-Edison Tigers. Bellingham had just one loss, and it was against those Tigers.
Senior Craig Christie had the control of the offense, and he ran the ship well. This was before the “run and shoot” days of the Red Raiders, so they were mostly ground based. He completed 12 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 106 yards and two more scores.
They had a trio of senior running backs that were relied upon heavily. Dean Wickenburg led the team in rushing with 718 yards (5.8 average), and he scored four touchdowns. Todd Stephan was the big-play guy, rushing for 579 yards (7.0) and a team-high nine touchdowns. Ron Limbacher ran for 374 yards (4.9) and seven scores. Stephan was named All-League 2nd Team, and scored all 28 points in the crosstown rival game against Sehome (four touchdowns and two 2-point conversions). Junior John Herda contributed with 163 yards (4.1) and a touchdown.
Junior tight end Chris Bergner was the main target, catching 10 passes for 189 yards (18.9) and a touchdown. Senior Kevin Kurtz was the big play receiver. Even though he only caught four passes, he made them count, totaling 158 yards (39.5) and a pair of touchdowns.
The offensive line was loaded, and had a pair of seniors that were returning All-League 1st Team players. Senior Bob Csolti and Kevin Foster were each again named All-League 1st Team, and could be the best duo of offensive linemen that Whatcom County saw in the 1970’s. They were joined by senior Cary Gustafson, who was named All-League 2nd Team.
The defense was led by Csolti on the line, and he was named as the League’s Lineman of the Year, and he was chosen All-League 1st Team. He was joined up front by senior Scott Elsner, who was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Bruce Ebergson returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown in the first game of the season, and was named All-League 1st Team at linebacker. Junior Don Fenton kicked six extra points, and was named All-League 1st Team at punter. Senior Jeff Jenkins returned a punt 46 yards for a touchdown against Stanwood.