Welcome to the quarterfinals of the state tournament!
Again, I am joined by my colleagues: Eric Trent of the Lynden Tribune, Ryland Spencer of Cascadia Preps and local broadcaster Jeff Bearden.
I would like to thank Jordan Wittenberg for being our guest picker this week! A 2016 graduate of Lynden, Wittenberg is one of the best wide receivers in Whatcom County history. He was a big part of the 2013 state championship team as a sophomore. He started tearing it up in the playoffs, and caught eight passes for 97 yards in the state championship win against Tumwater. As a junior, he caught 87 passes for 1476 yards, both are still Whatcom County records. He was named All-League 1st Team at both wide receiver and defensive back, as well as All-State 1st Team at wide receiver. He had another big season as a senior, again being named All-League 1st Team on both sides of the ball, and was named All-State 2nd Team at wide receiver and defensive back. He ended his career with 159 receptions for 2619 yards and 23 touchdowns, and his Lions went 22-6 in games where he caught a pass. He’s quite possibly the best player in Whatcom County history to wear jersey #1.
Now… onto the week quarterfinal game previews.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (9-1) AT LA SALLE (11-0)
Time: 2 PM Saturday
Site: Zaepfel Stadium
When Lynden Christian has the ball: Quarterback Trajan Schouten is on top of his game (1554 yards, 20 TD, 7 INT) and his favorite target, Jackson Corkill (41 rec – 690 yds – 10 TD), could go down as LC’s greatest receiver. Five other players have at least 10 receptions, and five total players have rushed for at least 100 yards this season. It’s about as well-rounded, and deep a team, that the 1A classification has.
When La Salle has the ball: The Lightning are averaging over 50 points per game, and senior quarterback Kieran Kershaw is one heck of a player. I’m not entirely sure if he’s seen a defense quite like Lynden Christian’s. Defensive tackle Zach Sipma’s combination of strength and quickness could make it a very long day for Kershaw. The secondary, led by senior Jude Veltkamp, played tremendous last week.
Player to watch: Senior running back/defensive end Levi Korthuis. He was the workhorse last season, but his overall game this season (rushing/receiving/blocking) has proven to be incredibly valuable.
MOUNT BAKER (10-1) AT CONNELL (9-3)
Time: 1 PM Saturday
Site: Lions Field in Moses Lake
When Mount Baker has the ball: The backs (Jason Lee, Toby Jefferson and Ayden Rodriguez) have combined for 37 touchdowns this season. They are the real deal, and if you try to take them away, quarterback Mason Jacoby can look to a pair of 6-foot-3 receivers in Waylon Kentner and Garrett Smith. Each of whom has 21 receptions on the season. It’s been a special year for the Mountaineers, and the Cody Saulsbury-led offensive line has been a huge reason why.
When Connell has the ball: The Eagles are averaging 27 points per game, and the Mounties are allowing just 11.2 points per game. Not too bad, considering the schedule that Mount Baker has played. Sophomore linebacker Davin Beason is Whatcom County’s leading tackler (51 solo, 74 assisted), while Kentner has 11.5 tackles for loss and junior defensive tackle Phil Paez has totaled 10 sacks.
Player to watch: Junior wide receiver/defensive end Garrett Smith. The athletic Smith has been playing his best football lately, with 80 yards receiving and a quarterback sack last week.
WASHOUGAL (7-4) AT LYNDEN (8-2)
Time: 2 PM Saturday
Site: Civic Stadium
When Washougal has the ball: After a tight 14-13 victory over Clarkston in the opening round of the state playoffs, the Panthers are riding a hot streak. Senior linebacker Bodie Human is a man on a mission right now, and fellow senior safety Elijah Diacogiannis can cover a lot of ground. Sophomore outside linebacker Cade Slayton has brought great pressure off the edge.
When Lynden has the ball: Senior running back Steven DiLorenzo is having one of the best seasons in school history (1348 yards – 12 touchdowns). Junior quarterback Baylor Ayres has been tremendous as a dual threat (771 passing yards – 631 rushing yards), and offensive weapon Brock Heppner has gotten into the end zone 18 times. The consistency of the offensive line has been awesome, and line coach Ed Bomber has them peaking.
Player to watch: Senior kicker Marko Samoukovic. The left-footer is already one of the best kickers in Whatcom County history, and his next field goal will break the Whatcom County career record.
