I've scene this scenario at different schools in different states. This is a result of "communities" no longer being communities with teenagers in their school. In other words, over-abundant single parent families, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, and other social obstacles facing High School families. It is no longer cool, for 15-18 year old boys, to make a commitment to sports and school work. The sport of football requires this commitment. Rather than Bellingham HS taking a long term strategy, they are taking a risker, short term route, by playing a Independent schedule. By playing a creampuff schedule loaded with 1A and 2B opponents, they create artificial success by going 5-4 this season. They played a couple of games against their NWC rivals, but got defeated handily.
This strategy only works, if there is a much bigger, behind the scenes plan to reach out and deal with the social ills effecting the community. Good luck to the volunteers, parents, and community leaders in solving "the issues" facing this part of Whatcom County.
