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GRAYS HARBOR BEARCATS
(2009 - 2017)

Aberdeen, Washington
Olympic Stadium



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The Bearcats originated as part of a large expansion of teams by Brandon Powell to bolster the lineup of a new North American Football League - Northwest Division in 2008, however, most of the advertised and proposed teams never came to fruition.  Grays Harbor did simmer during that 2008 season and following fruitless seasons of playing with the Washington Cavaliers, Don Orton and Chris Raffelson and a number of former members of the Cavs, took up the mantle and formed the Aberdeen-based team for the 2009 season.

The 'Cats combed the harbor area for the best coaches and high school players they could find and placed their entry into the NAFL Northwest Division playing it's second season.  The Bearcats won their season opener against a sliding King County Jaguar team 29-0 and winning an overtime matchup with the Snohomish County Vikings.  Opening the NAFL season, Grays Harbor defeated the Portland Raiders who a week earlier squeaked out a victory against many of the Bearcats former team in the Cavaliers.  

The high riding 'Cats were 5-0 until the Southern Oregon Renegades brought them crashing down with a 47-0 thumping on July 25.  It was the first of 3 losses to the Renegades including a playoff ouster on Oct 10 that ended the Bearcats season.  

In an early season contest for 2010, the Bearcats traveled "over the hill" to take on the Washington Football League's Yakima Mavericks.  The Bearcats proved they could hang with Eastern Washington's top teams winning 26-23.  

2011 was a competitve season for the Bearcats, however three straight losses to end the regular season bounced any hopes of a playoff run.   Frustrated from finish of the previous season Grays Harbor won 7 of their first 8 games and looked poised for a deep run in the playoffs, however the cards were dealt and Bellingham came up twice in the final three weeks of the 2012 season with the 'Cats losing both including the first round playoff to finish 8-3, it's best season since the inaugural 9-4 season.   Four offensive linemen led the way as eight players were named 1st Team All-Pacific League selections.

2013 was back to mid-level as the Bearcats beat who they should and couldn't quite get over the hump against other playoff caliber teams, getting bounced by the Monarchs in round one.  

In 2014 the wheels came off the bus completely as the Bearcats went 0-10 and being trounced regularly.  With 14 losses dating back to 2013, the Bearcats surpassed their 1930's counterparts in the record books for consecutive losses.  The Grays Harbor Indians tallied 13 straight defeats from 1937-1938.  

Thankfully, the Thurston County Mayhem coached by a former teammate of Bearcat owner Don Orton agreed to kickoff the season with his second-year squad or that losing streak would have catapulted the 'Cats to third all-time.  Instead, Grays Harbor enjoyed a season-opening victory over the Mayhem.  It would be the only win on a 1-9 season.  

Taking the 2016 season off, the Bearcats reorganized and returned to the field in 2017 facing a new schedule in a new league.  Results were much the same, after a blowout win over former 8-man team Washington Raptors, GH spun down the loss column 4 consecutive weeks before breaking through again with wins over the Outlaws and an old rival in the Vikings.  The Snohomish County game had to be called in the 3rd quarter due to player safety issues.  Grays Harbor would limp through the final two games, losing the finale to the Mayhem while sporting 18 healthy bodies.   Following the season, co-owner Raffelson was announced to be the new coach at his alma mater Ocosta High, where he graduated in 1993.

The franchise would not return in 2018, ending an 8-season run that started with large enthusiastic crowds and beer sold at games, to iron-man football as player numbers became a problem and only family members looking on.
 

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Team owners Chris Raffelson (58) and Don Orton (50) being presented a plaque from Foster Kids of Grays Harbor in 2012







2009
North American Football League - Northwest Division
Record: 9-4
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches Ted Hoiness, Jeremy McMillan, Dave Hinchen, Brad Russell, Ron Hoiness, Scott Oliver, Sandy Moiser, Ron Bennett, William Rabung, Paul Christensen


2009 Awards

Jeff Gates (RB) All-NAFL West 1st Team
Don Orton (OL) All-NAFL West 1st Team
Noah Naipo (OL) All-NAFL West 1st Team
Joel Brown (DL) All-NAFL West 1st Team
Brandon Johnson (DB) All-NAFL West 1st Team
Bryce Ogren (PK) All-NAFL West 1st Team
Robby Lisle (KR) All-NAFL West 1st Team
David Evans (QB) All_NAFL West 2nd Team
Jeremy Walker (WR) All-NAFL West 2nd Team
Joe Winther (TE) All-NAFL West 2nd Team
Matthew Barrie (OL) ALL-NAFL West 2nd Team
Daniel Brown (LB) All-NAFL West 2nd Team
Jake Early (DB) All-NAFL West 2nd Team


2010
North American Football League - Northwest Division
Record: 6-5
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches Ted Hoiness, Jeremy McMillan, Dave Hinchen, Brad Russell, Ron Hoiness, Scott Oliver, Sandy Moiser, Ron Bennett, William Rabung, Paul Christensen

2010 Awards

Robbie Lisle (CB) NAFL American Conf All-Star 1st Team
Joel Brown (LB) NAFL American Conf All-Star 1st Team
Chris Raffelson (DT) NAFL American Conf All-Star 1st Team
Robbie Chicano (FB) NAFL American Conf All-Star 1st Team
Aaron Zepp (MLB) NAFL American Conf All-Star 1st Team
Alex Todak (QB) NAFL American Conf All-Star 1st Team
Jeff Gates (RB) NAFL American Conf All-Star 1st Team
Jeremy Walker (WR) NAFL American Conf All-Star 1st Team
Don Orton (OL) NAFL American Conf All-Star 2nd Team
Dusty Sturgeon (OL) NAFL American Conf All-Star 2nd Team
Todd Hoiness - NAFL American Conf All-Star Coach
Paul Christianson - NAFL American Conf All-Star Coach

2011
Pacific Football League
Record: 5-6
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches Ted Hoiness, Jeremy McMillan, Dave Hinchen, Brad Russell, Ron Hoiness, Scott Oliver, Sandy Moiser, Ron Bennett, William Rabung, Paul Christensen


2011 Awards

Joe Winther (TE) GNFA All-Region Hon Mention
Shane Dayton (OL) GNFA All-Region Hon Mention
Chris Cook (FB) All-League 1st Team
Joe Winther (TE) All-League 1st Team
Shane Dayton (OL) All-League 1st Team
Noah Naipo (OL) All-League 1st Team
Don Orton (OL) All-League 1st Team
Dusty Sturgeon (OL) All-League 1st Team
Joel Brown (DL) All-League 1st Team
Justin Shumate All-League 2nd Team
Jadon Carrasino All-League 2nd Team



2012
Pacific Football League
Record: 8-3
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches Ted Hoiness, Jeremy McMillan, Dave Hinchen, Brad Russell, Ron Hoiness, Scott Oliver, Sandy Moiser, Ron Bennett, William Rabung, Paul Christensen


2012 Awards

Jeff Gates (RB) GNFA All-Region 1st Team
Ron Strozyk (DE) GNFA All-Region 1st Team
Joel Brown (LB) GNFA All-Region 1st Team
Robbie Lisle (DB) GNFA All-Region 2nd Team
Joe Winther (TE) GNFA All-Region Hon Mention
Don Orton (OL) GNFA All-Region Hon Mention
David Evans (QB) GNFA All-Region Hon Mention
Jason Carrosino (PK) GNFA All-Region Hon Mention
Joel Brown (LB) PFL Defensive MVP
Chris Jackson (KR) PFL Special Teams MVP
Jeff Gates (RB) All-League 1st Team
Joe Winther (TE) All-League 1st Team
Don Orton (OL) All-League 1st Team
Chris Cook (DL/UT) All-League 1st Team
Ron Strozyk (DL) All-League 1st Team
Joel Brown (LB) All-League 1st Team
Robbie Lisle (DB) All-League 1st Team
Chris Jackson (KR) All-League 1st Team
David Evans (QB) All-League 2nd Team
Shane Dayton (OL) All-League 2nd Team
Justin Shumate (OL) All-League 2nd Team
Jadon Carrosino (PK) All-League 2nd Team



2013
Pacific Football League
Record: 6-6
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches Ted Hoiness, Jeremy McMillan, Dave Hinchen, Brad Russell, Ron Hoiness, Scott Oliver, Sandy Moiser, Ron Bennett, William Rabung, Paul Christensen


2013 Awards

Shane Dayton (OL) All-League 1st Team
Chris Cook (DL) All-League 1st Team
Joel Brown (LB) All-League 1st Team
Joe Winther (TE) All-League 2nd Team
Chris Jackson (WR) All-League 2nd Team
Don Orton (OL) All-League 2nd Team



2014
Pacific Football League
Record: 0-10
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches Ted Hoiness, Jeremy McMillan, Dave Hinchen, Brad Russell, Ron Hoiness, Scott Oliver, Sandy Moiser, Ron Bennett, William Rabung, Paul Christensen



2015
Pacific Football League
Record: 1-9
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches Ted Hoiness, Jeremy McMillan, Dave Hinchen, Brad Russell, Ron Hoiness, Scott Oliver, Sandy Moiser, Ron Bennett, William Rabung, Paul Christensen



2016
NO SEASON
Record: 0-0
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches


2017
Western Washington Football Alliance
Record: 3-6
Sponsor: Don Orton, Chris Raffelson
Coaches




Schedules and Results
Date Opponent Score
2009 June 6 King County Jaguars 29-0
2009 June 13 @ Snohomish County Vikings 26-20 OT
2009 June 27 @ Portland Raiders 21-7
2009 July 11 Langley Longhorns W FFT
2009 July 11 Washington Cavaliers 36-14
2009 July 18 @ East County Blackshirts 15-7
2009 July 25 @ Southern Oregon Renegades 0-47
2009 Aug 1 Yakima Mavericks 31-13
2009 Aug 8 Portland Raiders 30-7
2009 Aug 22 West Sound Saints 48-12
2009 Sep 12 @ Yakima Mavericks W FFT
2009 Sep 19 Southern Oregon Renegades 3-6
2009 Sep 25 East County Blackshirts 31-6
2009 Oct 3 @ Renton Ravens (FWFA Northwest Bowl) 3-20
     
     
2010 May 8 @ Yakima Mavericks 26-23
2010 June 5 Eastside Xtreme 38-0
2010 June 19 Kitsap County Bears 32-29
2010 June 26 Bellingham Bulldogs 6-30
2010 July 10 @ Portland Raiders 35-14
2010 July 17 @ Eastside Xtreme W FFT
2010 July 24 Southern Oregon Renegades 0-13
2010 July 31 @ Kitsap County Bears 15-25
2010 Aug 7 @ Bellingham Bulldogs 10-28
2010 Aug 14 Portland Raiders 57-18
2010 Aug 21 @ Southern Oregon Renegades 24-3
2010 Sep 18 @ Kitsap County Bears (Playoff) 20-28
     
     
2011 Apr 9 Washington Cavaliers 38-6
2011 Apr 23 South Sound Shockers 34-17
2011 Apr 30 @ Vancouver Vipers 31-38
2011 May 7 @ South King County Colts 29-33
2011 May 14 Snohomish County Vikings 28-25
2011 May 21 Kitsap County Bears 24-30
2011 June 4 Springfield Buzzards 38-6
2011 June 11 @ Rogue Warriors 53-20
2011 June 18 Yakima Mavericks 32-42
2011 June 25 @ Bellingham Bulldogs 34-41
2011 July 9 @ South Sound Shockers 34-37
     
     
2012 Apr 7 Washington Cavaliers 42-19
2012 Apr 14 Portland Monarchs 6-41
2012 Apr 21 Clark County Vipers 41-27
2012 Apr 28 @ Portland Raiders 42-12
2012 May 5 @ Southern Oregon Renegades 24-21
2012 May 12 @ Snohomish County Vikings 38-0
2012 May 19 South King County Colts 26-13
2012 June 2 South Sound Shockers Cancel
2012 June 9 @ Yakima Mavericks 28-21
2012 June 16 Bellingham Bulldogs 10-26
2012 June 23 Pierce County Bengals 79-8
2012 June 30 @ Bellingham Bulldogs (Playoff) 20-30
     
     
2013 Apr 6 Renton Ravens 35-12
2013 Apr 13 @ Clark County Vipers 22-7
2013 Apr 20 Portland Raiders 44-18
2013 Apr 27 @ South Lane Buzzards 0-36
2013 May 5 Kitsap County Bears 31-6
2013 May 11 @ Portland Monarchs 28-22
2013 May 18 @ Bellingham Bulldogs 20-42
2013 June 1 Southern Oregon Renegades 30-21
2013 June 8 @ South King County Colts 12-43
2013 June 15 Yakima Mavericks 20-37
2013 June 29 Seattle Stallions 27-62
2013 July 13 @ Portland Monarchs (Playoff) 15-26
     
     
2014 Apr 5 Portland Monarchs 0-12
2014 Apr 19 Portland Raiders 7-60
2014 Apr 26 Yakima Mavericks 14-17
2014 May 3 @ Bellingham Bulldogs 7-35
2014 May 10 @ South King County Colts 3-38
2014 May 17 Seattle Stallions 0-66
2014 June 7 Bellingham Bulldogs 6-33
2014 June 14 @ Yakima Mavericks 0-63
2014 June 21 @ Seattle Stallions 6-24
2014 June 28 South King County Colts 14-42
     
     
2015 Apr 4 Thurston County Mayhem 20-12
2015 Apr 11 Renton Ravens 12-18
2015 Apr 18 Portland Pitbulls 35-36
2015 May 2 @ Portland Raiders 8-52
2015 May 9 South Sound Nighthawks 9-16
2015 May 30 @ Southern Oregon Renegades 12-31
2015 June 6 @ Seattle Stallions 6-60
2015 June 20 South Lane Buzzards 7-30
2015 June 27 @ Bellingham Bulldogs 0-28
     
     
2016 NO SEASON  
     
     
2017 Apr 22 Washington Raptors 67-2
2017 Apr 29 South Sound Nighthawks 13-20
2017 May 13 Kitsap Storm 20-28
2017 June 3 Cowlitz County Cobras 13-38
2017 June 10 @ Spokane Wolfpack 0-45
2017 June 17 Puget Sound Outlaws 38-12
2017 June 24 Snohomish County Vikings 36-0
2017 July 8 Clark County Vipers 8-14
2017 July 15 @ Thurston County Mayhem 24-26
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Original Concept Logo by Brandon Powell 2008
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
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