October 30, 2009

Dallas Jackson
Rivals High

And starting to give the town a new identity.

Blaine, which borders Canada and has a population of less than 4,000, is becoming somewhat of a football power.

For the third time in four years under Jay Dodd, the Borderites are headed to the playoffs. This year, they are doing it on the legs of 5-foot-10 185-pound running back Caleb Statham.

Statham, who has been receiving interest from several Northwest schools, led Blaine to a 51-0 win over Bellingham (Wash.) High Thursday night.

The win clinched a playoff spot for the Borderites and assured them of no worse than a No. 3 seed in the state 2A district playoffs.

In the win, Statham ran for 186 yards and four touchdowns in the first half before setting out the second for the JV players.

Following the game Statham was quick to give credit to his teammates.

"None of it would have been possible without my line," Statham told The Bellingham Herald. "They did a great job up front, and all I had to do was find the holes."

Statham followed the blocks to the tune of 1,229 yards this season.

The win was the 25th for the senior class, which is the first class that Dodd has coached all four years.

"This is just another win, and 25 is just another number," Dodd told the paper. "I think this shows the support that we've gotten from our community and all the hard work the players have put in to get to this point. It's also a reflection of our coaching staff - we have some of the hardest working assistant coaches around. I think this is a reflection of a lot more than just me."

While Dodd also deflected the attention, star player Statham says the success is a direct result of the coaching.

"Coach Dodd deserves a lot of the credit for turning the program around and creating a dynasty here," Statham said. "He's believed in a lot of us, and we believe in him."

And as the playoffs approach there is a lot to believe in for Blaine.

THE NETWORK: Rivals site for your state | Follow RivalsHigh on Twitter