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BELLINGHAM BULLDOGS
(2008)

Bellingham, Washington
Civic Stadium
Lummi High




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The Bellingham Bulldogs got their start in 2008 when Dick McKinley and Jeff Fisher purchased the rights to the Northwest Avalanche from Craig Jackson.   The Bulldogs applied for entry into the Pacific Northwest Football Conference, however the PNFC decided to merge with the Evergreen Football League.  The EFL accepted the Bulldogs as a rebranding of the Avalanche and awarded the team full membership for the 2008 season.
 
After a 3-6 finish to the 2008 season, the Bulldogs decided to shift over to the summer leagues and departed the Evergreen League for the North American Football League in hopes of attracting players from British Columbia disenchanted with the team options in Vancouver, as well as the sparkle of a potential nationally traveling league.  Jeff Fisher used his marketing skills to help acquire a team bus, which would become a point of controversy prior to a Skagit Valley Lightning game in 2009.  Former Lightning coach and quarterback Brad Collins would join the Bulldogs and split time at QB with Mark Simmons during the 2009 season.  During the off-season, Dick McKinley would sell his interests to Jeff Fisher and Phil Smith would take the reigns as head coach.
 
These moves proved fruitful as the Bulldogs opened the '09 season against the Langley (BC) Longhorns dominating the Canadian contingent 49-0 and reeling off 11 straight victories on their way to a date with the Southern Oregon Renegades in the NAFLNw Championship.  Chase Cantrell, a former Western Washington University player, proved a valuable two-way athlete.  In the western conference title game, the Renegades found Cantrell, who rushed for 147 yards, a score and had 2 sacks ond 3 tackles on defense for the Bulldogs, plus the 10-hour road trip too much to overcome.  A tough St. Paul Pioneers team fresh off a win over the storied Racine Raiders came to Bellingham from Minnesota and walked away with a 5-point victory ending the Bulldogs cinderella season.
 
The Bulldogs roared through the 2010 season again winning the Olympic Division of the NAFL Northwest setting them up for a run at the NAFL Championship.  Defeating the Bay Area Gamblers of California in the semi finals handily, the Bulldogs and Nashville Storm were set to square off in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the NAFL Championship.  Bellingham went up 14-0 early but the Storm reeled off 41 unanswered points to send Bellingham home disappointed, but undefeated in their last 25 games against regional opponents.  The Bulldogs dominated the West Division All-League selections with 23 players on the first and second teams, in essence, every starter made the top two teams.  45-year old backup QB and current QB coach Tod Shackleford stepped in while Mark Simmons was out with an illness in the season opener.
 
2011 Began a new era as the Bulldogs entered into the Pacific Football League comprised of some of the strongest teams assembled in the Northwest with a spring season start instead of the previous NAFL summer-fall schedule.  Across town, the Bellingham Blitz made a move to bolster depth and talent leaving the shaky PDFL dominated by the Tacoma Cobras to the Western Washington Football Association. A Bulldog win over the WWFA Renton Ravens seemed to start things off where they left off the past two season, however the Snohomish Vikings detoured the Bulldogs plans of being undefeated in the PFL North division.  The following week, the Colts took a 5-point offensive battle that started a derailment of the Bellingham season as the 'Dogs lost eight in a row.  The season wasn't a total loss as Bellingham upset Grays Harbor in what would start the Bearcats late-season exit from the playoff race.  In the season finale the Vikings were dismantled in the rematch of the Bulldogs PFL season opener.

 2012 brought the formerly split town together as the former PDFL Blitz merged with the Bulldogs and for the first time in half a decade Bellingham was a united team.  Prior to that, both the WWFA and the PFL were announcing schedules for the Bulldogs/Blitz.  It's unknown if the Blitz formally announced their intentions to withdraw from the WWFA, but the schedule the WWFA announced was published anyway and is reflected in the canceled games. 
 
The Bulldogs went to work quickly crushing the Renton Ravens for the second season opener in a row, then traveling over the hill to face Wenatchee.  The Rams led the Bulldogs 10-0 through 3 quarters until WR Toby Seim took over the game and the Bulldogs battled back to take a 21-17 victory from the eventual Washington League (WFL) Champions.
 
A set-back against the Mavericks on the road cost Bellingham a home playoff game, but they returned to Yakima and defeated the Mavs to advance to the PFL Championship as North Division champions.  There they could not overcome the firepower of the Portland Monarchs who went on to win the PFL and the GNFA crown.
 
With the merger of Bellingham fully completed, the Bulldogs set out in 2013 to claim the PFL championship.  Following a Week 4 upset of the Portland Monarchs, the season looked like a sure bet.  However, the following week a trip to Yakima proved to be a trap game as the Mavericks pulled the upset.  Three weeks later, the Stallions would shut out Bellingham further lengthening the road to a title.  Two road victories in the playoffs and North Division championship proved that this team was ready to be crowned and in the PFL championship they left no doubt in feasting on the Buzzards 40-7 to climb back to the top as the GNFA Regional Champions.  In the process, the Bulldogs had dethroned the Monarchs and Bears, winners of the past five GNFA regional crowns.
 
The 2014 season got off to a rocky start with a non-conference game against the up-start Puyallup Nation Kings.  Pooling talent from around the leagues, the Kings took down the defending champs 47-36, launching their own run to a league title game.  Limping to the playoffs with a 7-3 record following a regular season finale loss to South King, the Bulldogs looked weary.  A depleated Monarchs team, struggling on it's own after a player/coach movement to the cross-town Boltz, struck last with a final second score to knock Bellingham out of the first round of PFL playoff play. 
 
2015 would be a tough year as the team endured the early passings of Sean Hicks in January and Stephen Faoro back in November of 2014.  Two beloved linebackers and fan favorites, their loss was felt mid-season during a stretch of 3 losses in four games where opponents averaged 35 points per game.  Topping the Clark County Vipers for the 4th time in a row dating back to 2012, and maintaining an average of scoring over 42 points per game in their first round playoff, was not enough as the Portland Raiders ended their season with a blowout in the semi-finals.
 
Looking for greener grass, the Bulldogs made a move out of the Pacific Football League and into the WWFA.  Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with new Teal and Black colors, a new nemesis emerged for Bellingham as the Puyallup Nation Kings owned the WWFA and both meetings on the season.  The Wenatchee Valley Rams, an old foe from the PFL, held it's spell over the Bulldogs as well handing the Bham boys a 58-7 defeat, it's worst in team history.
 
The Bulldogs suspended operations for the 2017 season and announced a restructured organization set to play in the WWFA for 2018 but ultimately never made it back on the field.

 

 


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Linebacker Steve Faoro



RB Brad Clark


2013 News Advertisement





2016 Big Blue Nation Color Scheme



National and Regional Hall of Fame

Jeff Fisher GNFA Hall of Fame
2008
Evergreen Football League
Record: 3-6
Owner Dick McKinley
GM Jeff Fisher
Coach Dick McKinley
Off Coord Dan Poasa
Def Coord Kyle Garcia

2008 Awards
Sean Hicks (LB) GNFA All-Region Hon Mention
Chase Cantrell (DL) GNFA All-Region Hon Mention

2009
North American League Northwest Olympic Division
Record: 12-1
Owner/GM Jeff Fisher
Coach Phil Smith
* NAFL Northwest Conference Champions *
* NAFL Northwest Olympic Division Champions *

2009 Awards
Chase Cantrell (DL) NFE All America 1st Team
Jay Zimmerman (DB) NFE All America 1st Team
Jesh Morgan (WR) NFE All America Hon Mention
Jeff Fisher North American League Owner of the Year
Phil Smith North American League Coach of the Year
Sean Foster NAFL West Division Kicker of the Year
Sean Hicks (LB) West All-League 1st Team
Chase Cantrell (DL) West All-League 1st Team
Mark Simmons (QB) West All-League 1st Team
Justin Whitney (RB) West All-League 1st Team
Jesh Morgan (WR) West All-League 1st Team
Mike Coe (OL) West All-League 1st Team
Zach Myers (OL) West All-League 1st Team
Bill Hagee (DL) West All-League 1st Team
Jake Tanner (DL) West All-League 1st Team
Austin Childs (DL) West All-League 1st Team
Steve Faoro (LB) West All-League 1st Team
Jay Zimmerman (DB) West All-League 1st Team
Sean Foster (PK) West All-League 1st Team
Corey Culp (WR) West All-League 2nd Team
Nick Gavigan (WR) West All-League 2nd Team
Dave Oporto (OL) West All-League 2nd Team
Wes LaRocque (OL) West All-League 2nd Team
Dan Collins (OL) West All-League 2nd Team
Jimmy Nightingale (LB) West All-League 2nd Team
Andy Fulton (LB) West All-League 2nd Team
Brett Hall (DB) West All-League 2nd Team
Joel Pears (DB) West All-League 2nd Team
Blake Manley (DB) West All-League 2nd Team

2010
North American Football League
Record: 13-1
Owner/GM Jeff Fisher
Coach Phil Smith
Asst Brandon Reyna (AHC/OL) Tod Shackleford (QB)
* NAFL Northwest Conference Champions *
* NAFL Northwest Olympic Division Champions *


2011
Pacific Football League North Division
Record: 3-8
Owner/GM Jeff Fisher
Coach Phil Smith

2011 Awards
Jake Tanner (DL) All-League 1st Team

2012
Pacific Football League North Division
Record: 10-3
Owner/GM Jeff Fisher
Coach Brian Young/Phil Smith
* Pacific League North Division Champions *

2012 Awards
Steve Faoro (LB) GNFA All Region 1st Team
Toby Seim (WR) GNFA All Region 1st Team
Aaron Erickson (OL) GNFA All Region 1st Team
Miguel Pierre (DB) GNFA All-Region 1st Team
Sean McGarva (DB) GNFA All-Region 1st Team
Chase Cantrell (DL) GNFA All Region 2nd Team
Andy Fulton (LB) GNFA All Region 2nd Team
Brett Hall (RB) GNFA All Region 2nd Team
Mike Coe (OL) GNFA All Region 2nd Team
Eric Pitner (DL) GNFA All-Region 2nd Team
Brian Young/Phil Smith Pacific League Coaches of the Year
Chase Cantrell (DL) All-League 1st Team
Mike Coe (OL) All-League 1st Team
Steve Faoro (LB) All-League 1st Team
Toby Seim (WR) All-League 1st Team
Aaron Erickson (OL) All-League 1st Team
Eric Pitner (DL) All-League 1st Team
Miguel Pierre (DB) All-League 1st Team
Sean McGarva (DB) All-League 1st Team
Andy Fulton (LB) All-League 2nd Team
Brett Hall (RB) All-League 2nd Team


2013
Pacific Football League
Record: 11-2
Owner Jeff Fisher
GM Don Oneida
Coach Brian Young
Asst Terry Toland (L)
* Pacific League North Division Champions *
* Pacific Football League Champions *
* Greater Northwest Association Regional Champions *

2013 Awards
Brett Hall (RB) North All-League 1st Team
Daniel Flynn North All-League 1st Team
Aaron Eriksen (OL) North All-League 1st Team
Steve Faoro (LB) North All-League 1st Team
Sean Hicks (LB) North All-League 1st Team
Miguel Pierre (DB) North All-League 1st Team
Eric Pitner (DL) North All-League 2nd Team
Jon Bon North All-League 2nd Team
Taylor Johnson All-League 2nd Team


2014
Pacific Football League
Record: 7-4
Owner Jeff Fisher
GM Don Oneida
Coach Brian Young

2015
Pacific Football League
Record: 6-4
Owner Jeff Fisher
GM Don Oneida
Coach Brian Young

2016
Western Washington Football Alliance
Record: 9-3
Owner Jeff Fisher
GM Don Oneida
Coach Brian Young
Schedules and Results
Date Opponent Score
2008 Mar 22 Skagit Valley Lightning 28-6
2008 Mar 29 @ Columbia Basin Riverhawks 36-21
2008 Apr 5 Blue Mountain Stars 15-29
2008 Apr 12 @ Wenatchee Valley Rams 11-41
2008 Apr 19 South Sound Shockers 6-12
2008 Apr 26 Willamette Valley Raiders W FFT
2008 May 3 @ Tri City Knights 21-65
2008 May 10 @ Skagit Valley Lightning 17-14
2008 May 17 Yakima Mavericks 10-38
2008 May 24 Okanogan Commandos 9-22
     
     
2009 June 27 Langley Longhorns 49-0
2009 July 11 @ Pacific Northwest Wildcats 26-21
2009 July 18 Portland Raiders 20-0
2009 July 25 West Sound Saints 42-8
2009 Aug 1 Kitsap County Bears 43-7
2009 Aug 8 @ King County Jaguars 53-7
2009 Aug 29 King County Jaguars 29-0
2009 Sep 12 @ West Sound Saints 23-0
2009 Sep 19 @ Portland Raiders 16-12
2009 Sep 26 Pacific Northwest Wildcats 41-0
2009 Oct 10 Portland Raiders (Playoff) 27-0
2009 Oct 24 Southern Oregon Renegades (Div Playoff) 27-20
2009 Oct 31 St. Paul (MN) Pioneers (Reg Playoffs) 15-20
     
     
2010 June 5 Portland Raiders 34-0
2010 June 12 @ Eastside Xtreme 54-0
2010 June 19 Southern Oregon Renegades W FFT
2010 June 26 @ Grays Harbor Bearcats 30-6
2010 July 9 Kitsap County Bears 62-27
2010 July 17 @ Portland Raiders 50-0
2010 July 24 Eastside Xtreme Cancel
2010 July 24 Pierce County Bengals 65-14
2010 July 31 @ Southern Oregon Renegades 21-14
2010 Aug 7 Grays Harbor Bearcats 28-10
2010 Aug 14 @ Kitsap County Bears 47-19
2010 Aug 28 Southern Oregon Renegades 30-0
2010 Sep 18 Southern Oregon Renegades (Playoff) 33-18
2010 Sep 25 Kitsap County Bears (Div Playoff) 59-29
2010 Oct 23 Bay Area Gamblers (Reg Playoff) 42-7
2010 Nov 13 @ Nashville Storm ** 20-41
** North American League Championship  
     
     
2011 Apr 16 Renton Ravens 48-20
2011 Apr 23 @ Snohomish County Vikings 18-34
2011 Apr 30 South King County Colts 38-43
2011 May 7 Yakima Mavericks 0-41
2011 May 14 @ Kitsap County Bears 6-59
2011 May 21 @ Vancouver Vipers 18-59
2011 June 4 Portland Monarchs 14-34
2011 June 11 @ Portland Raiders 24-25
2011 June 18 @ South Sound Shockers 8-42
2011 June 25 Grays Harbor Bearcats 41-34
2011 July 9 Snohomish County Vikings 42-19
     
     
2012 Apr 7 Renton Ravens 50-0
2012 Apr 14 @ Wenatchee Valley Rams 21-17
2012 Apr 21 South Sound Shockers 53-12
2012 Apr 28 @ Clark County Vipers 44-7
2012 May 5 @ Snohomish Thunder (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 May 5 @ South King County Colts 27-6
2012 May 12 Washington Wolfpack (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 May 12 Tacoma Cobras 28-35
2012 May 19 @ Puget Sound Outlaws (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 May 19 @ Yakima Mavericks 36-54
2012 June 2 @ Renton Ravens (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 June 2 Snohomish County Vikings 65-10
2012 June 9 Inner City Shine (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 June 16 @ Grays Harbor Bearcats 26-10
2012 June 23 @ Tacoma Invaders (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 June 23 Portland Raiders 50-8
2012 June 30 Westside Wildcats (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 July 7 @ Mt Hood Eruption (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 July 7 Grays Harbor Bearcats (PFL Playoff) 30-20
2012 July 14 Seattle Stallions (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 July 14 @ Yakima Mavericks (PFL North Champ) 34-0
2012 July 21 Olympic Peninsula (WWFA Sked) Cancel
2012 July 21 @ Portland Monarchs * 34-54
  * Pacific League Championship   
     
     
2013 Apr 13 Southern Oregon Renegades 20-0
2013 Apr 20 Clark County Vipers 47-20
2013 Apr 27 @ Portland Raiders 47-6
2013 May 4 Portland Monarchs 45-22
2013 May 11 @ Yakima Mavericks 14-24
2013 May 18 Grays Harbor Bearcats 42-20
2013 June 1 South Lane Buzzards 14-11
2013 June 8 @ Seattle Stallions 0-24
2013 June 15 South King County Colts 37-30
2013 June 22 @ Kitsap County Bears 45-6
2013 July 13 Yakima Mavericks (Playoff) 28-20
2013 July 20 @ Seattle Stallions (North Division) 26-13
2013 July 27 South Lane Buzzards ^ 40-7
  ^ GNFA / Pacific Football League Championship   
     
     
2014 Apr 12 Puyallup Nation Kings 36-47
2014 Apr 19 @ Yakima Mavericks 40-24
2014 Apr 26 South King County Colts 42-34
2014 May 3 Grays Harbor Bearcats 35-7
2014 May 10 @ Seattle Stallions 12-58
2014 May 17 Roseburg Rampage 55-0
2014 May 30 Yakima Mavericks 45-21
2014 June 7 @ Grays Harbor Bearcats 33-6
2014 June 14 Seattle Stallions 27-18
2014 June 21 @ South King County Colts 24-26
2014 July 12 Portland Monarchs (Playoff) 20-22
     
     
2015 Apr 18 @ South Sound Nighthawks 33-19
2015 Apr 25 @ Southern Oregon Renegades 35-0
2015 May 2 South Lane Buzzards 0-32
2015 May 16 Seattle Stallions 21-45
2015 May 30 @ Clark County Vipers 45-22
2015 June 6 Portland Raiders 35-42 OT
2015 June 13 @ Portland Pitbulls 26-14
2015 June 27 Grays Harbor Bearcats 24-0
2015 July 11 Clark County Vipers (Playoffs) 42-24
2015 July 18 @ Portland Raiders (Playoffs) 21-63
     
     
2016 Apr 30 Everett Predators 58-6
2016 May 7 South Sound Nighthawks 31-0
2016 May 14 @ Puget Sound Outlaws 31-0
2016 May 21 Puyallup Nation Kings 23-38
2016 June 4 Wenatchee Valley Rams 7-58
2016 June 11 @ Spokane Wolfpack 26-12
2016 June 18 Snohomish County Vikings 42-0
2016 June 25 @ Washington Cavaliers 73-16
2016 July 9 Renton Ravens 19-14
2016 July 16 @ Arlington Grizzlies 56-6
2016 July 23 @ Pierce County Bengals (Playoff) 35-6
2016 July 30 @ Puyallup Nation Kings (Playoff) 35-42
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
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