RECORD: 8-3 – COACH: Vel West
LEAGUE: 6-2 (2nd Place in the NWL)
CLASSIFICATION: “AA” – Playoffs: State Quarterfinalist
POINTS PER GAME: 13.7 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 11.1
POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +2.6
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Anacortes 14, Bellingham 8
Week 2: Bellingham 7, Burlington-Edison 6
Week 3: Bellingham 28, Vancouver College (BC) 6
Week 4: Arlington 48, Bellingham 15
Week 5: Bellingham 10, Stanwood 7
Week 6: Bellingham 14, Sedro Woolley 6
Week 7: Bellingham 23, Mount Vernon 14
Week 8: Bellingham 20, Sehome 0
Week 9: Bellingham 7, Ferndale 3
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Bellingham 12, O’Dea 0
State Quarterfinals: Othello 18, Bellingham 7
The 1982 version of the Red Raiders made history as the first time the Bellingham football team reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
Senior Brian Dujmovich started the season at quarterback, but was replaced by sophomore Dean Fenton two games into the season. Fenton completed 88 passes for 952 yards and nine touchdowns. Before Dujmovich’s move to running back he completed 17 passes for 183 yards and a score. Fenton also ran for a pair of TD’s.
Dujmovich found his calling at running back, and used his speed and size (6-2 190) to rush for 512 yards (4.8 average) and three touchdowns, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior All Hillaire contributed with 383 yards on the ground (4.0) and four touchdowns.
In the Red Raiders run and shoot offense of the early 80’s, passing was on display. Hauling in the majority of those passes was senior Mike Elsner. He was named All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row, catching 33 passes for 463 yards (14.0) and a team-high five touchdowns. Junior Tim Carlson hauled in 26 passes for 245 yards (9.4) and two scores. Dujmovich caught 19 passes out of the backfield for 168 yards (8.8), with Hillaire and senior Tom Erickson each catching seven passes.
The offensive line was stacked with seniors Steve Alvord and Todd Ramsay completely dominating their opponents. Both were named All-League 1st Team, and Alvord was voted as the Washington State Lineman of the Year.
Alvord was even more dominant on the defensive side of the ball with numerous tackles for loss, and even returning an interception 35 yards for a touchdown against Vancouver College. He was named All-League 1st Team, the Northwest League Defensive Player of the Year and All-State 1st Team, and his highly regarded as the best player in school history. Senior Barry Ebergson was also named All-League 1st Team at defensive end, with senior Steve Hempler being named All-League 2nd Team as the other defensive end. Senior Roger Jones was named All-League 2nd Team at linebacker, and Elsner led the secondary, being named All-League 1st Team for the second season in a row.
Senior Tony Frazier made big kicks, connecting on 14 extra points and two field goals. Dumjovich was named All-League 1st Team at punter.