By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

One big play turned the tide and another kept it going in that direction as Bellingham beat Highline, 41-14, in non-league football action Friday.
The first came with 5:10 to play in the second quarter of the game played at Highline Memorial.
The Pirates had battled the Red Raiders to a 7-7 tie and were attempting a 27-yard field goal by Jordan Santana to possibly take the lead.
But Bellingham standout running back and defensive back Tanner Aliff jumped forward to block the attempt and teammate Trent Helming picked it up and ran for a 75-yard Bellingham touchdown instead.
Jace King's kick for the extra point was good to suddenly make it 14-7 in favor of the Red Raiders.
A second big turnover sealed the deal with 8:17 to go in the third quarter.
With the Pirates down, 27-7, but driving as far as the Bellingham 47-yard line, the ball was picked off and returned 50 yards for a touchdown.
King's kick then upped the lead to 34-7.
Highline fell to 1-8 overall to go with an 0-6 Seamount League mark, while Bellingham improved to 5-4 on the year.
The Red Raiders are playing an independent schedule with all non-league games.
"We hadn't had a win in the program for a couple of years because of the league we play in," said Bellingham head coach Ted Flint. "So we petitioned to play independent for a couple of years to rebuild the program. We're in a league with teams like Lyden and Ferndale. So now we're going to places like Bellevue Christian and Charles Wright, and next week we go to Friday Harbor. So we'll travel again, only on a ferry."
Highline will also travel for its season finale, visiting West Seattle for a 6 p.m. game Saturday at the Southwest Athletic Complex next to Chief Sealth High School.
"They're trying to rebuild their program, too," pointed out Flint of the Pirates.
The two teams looked like they would run up and down the field at will when they met this past Friday.
Both teams scored after long opening drives.
The Pirates took the opening kickoff and marched 66 yards on nine plays for a touchdown.
Sophomore running back Malik White carried the ball five times on the drive for 49 yards, including one gain of 26 yards.
But senior teammate Sam Houghtby did the scoring honors on a 13-yard play.
Santana's conversion kick made it 7-0 with 8:19 to play in the first quarter.
The Red Raiders then marched 62 yards on seven carries for a touchdown to tie it.
Aliff gained 35 of those yards including 26 on one play, but quarterback Kalien Hayes scored the touchdown on a 13-yard keeper.
King's kick tied it at 7-7 with 4:58 to play in the quarter.
The blocked field goal and ensuing touchdown the other direction made it 14-7 in the second quarter, then Hayes scored on a 47-yard run around the right side with 2:49 to play before halftime. King upped the lead to 21-7 with his kick.
King was wide left after Aliff scored on a 30-yard run with 10:06 to play in the third quarter to leave the score at 27-7.
After the interception and touchdown by Bellingham, the Pirates finally scored again with 5:36 to go in the third quarter.
Senior quarterback Kyle Tief threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Houghtby and Santana's kick made it 34-14.
Aliff scored the final touchdown of the game on a 30-yard run with 1:43 left in the fourth quarter. King put the final margin at 41-14 with his kick.
Bellingham coach Flint left impressed with the Highline team.
"They've got big, talented guys," he said. "Their running back (White) is really good. He's tough to bring down."