When Western Washington University eliminated its football program in 2009, the number of college football programs in Washington state shrunk to seven.
The Whatcom County Vikings, a new Bellingham minor league developmental football team, is looking to offer a different opportunity for local athletes this spring, with an opening game slated for April 5 in Everett.
“I have been wanting to do a team up here for several years,” Vikings owner Jorge Rentas said. “We tend to get overlooked in Whatcom County. In the past few years, we have made more noise and I just wanted to give the other guys another opportunity.”
The Vikings are one of seven teams in the West Coast Pacific Minor League, which is heading into its second season, running from March through June. The team that wins the league travels to Las Vegas to play for the Pacific National Championship.
“It’s going to be interesting where this thing goes because these guys played football at the high school level and have the basics,” offensive coordinator Craig Jackson said.
Whatcom Vikings offensive coordinator Craig Jackson talks to the team in January before a practice at Phillips 66 Soccer Park in Bellingham. The new minor league football team will begin its first season in the West Coast Pacific Minor League in April. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)
The formation of the Vikings
Rentas created the new Vikings from a team that was folding: the Snohomish Vikings. The team began practicing in early January at Phillips 66 Soccer Park with about 30 players with plans to play games at Civic Stadium.
Rentas is still trying to recruit players, coaches and sponsors.
“It has been a headache,” Rentas said. “There are so many things that are involved that aren’t seen as far as setting up business and bank accounts, getting insurance, player registration and putting money down for fields. We are trying to start a business.”
[ Read more: Minor league football history in Whatcom County ]
Rentas has already built an experienced coaching staff. Jackson has coached at several high schools, including his most recent stop at Bellingham High. He also was a coach for previous minor league teams: the Eagles, Avalanche and Bulldogs.
“I heard somebody say there is a team coming back in Bellingham,” Jackson said. “This will be a little different because we are getting a new crop of players, and hopefully we can help somebody go to college and get some film.”
Rentas also brought in defensive coordinator Orlando McCarty, who coaches for the Langley Rams Junior Football and previously coached for the Blitz. Head coach is Will Morrison, who was a member of the Bulldogs and Royals organizations.
Goals of the program
When Rentas formed the Vikings, his mindset was to get players the opportunity to compete at a higher level. Vikings’ left tackle Jesse Harward graduated from Bellingham High in 2024 and said he would love to play at the next level if he gets an opportunity.
Whatcom Vikings gear on the turf during practice. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)
“A lot of these guys around here work after high school and this is a great opportunity for them to go back to college or play higher-up sports,” Harward said.
Jarrod Mohr, 26, is from Phoenix but moved to Lynden in October 2023 and is looking to continue his passion for the game.
“There was a stint where I traveled the world and opened my mind and picked up skills,” Mohr said. “It has been three years since I played football, but I am ready to hone back in.”
Mohr previously played for the Phoenix Outlaws, a minor-league football team in Arizona. He was planning to play for the Outlaws again until he heard about the Vikings.
Vikings defensive coordinator Orlando McCarty talks to players during a conditioning drill. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)
“Being around Lynden, I know football is the talk of the town,” Mohr said. “Everybody knows what is going on in high school sports and I love it. When I saw this tryout and realized I could stay in the area and play football. It was a dream come true.”
Although the Vikings’ first game isn’t until April in Everett, they are excited to bring back developmental football to the county.
“At the end of the day, it is football,” Rentas said. “It is an opportunity for these kids to get film or the old guys to relive the glory days.”
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.