Welcome to the semifinals 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 Tim Goering for being our guest picker this week! A 1989 graduate of Lynden, Goering was a tremendous quarterback for the Lions. As a sophomore, he was thrown into action, and ended up completing 13 passes for 192 yards and four touchdowns. He didn’t play very much at quarterback as a junior, but he did catch a touchdown pass against Mount Baker and also booted 19 extra points and helped Lynden get to the state championship game against Ephrata. He took over at quarterback in his senior year, and he put together an amazing season. He was named All-League 1st Team, and was voted as the Whatcom County League Offensive Player of the Year. He completed 87-of-185 passes for 1336 yards, and became the first player in Whatcom County history to throw 20 touchdown passes in a season, and he threw 22. He led the Lions all the way to the state semifinals, but lost a 21-14 heartbreaker to Castle Rock. Goering went on to be named All-State 1st Team at quarterback, the first quarterback in school history to do so. Lynden has produced many great All-State quarterbacks since then, but Goering will always be the first. He was also the last quarterback coached by the legendary Rollie DeKoster.
Now… onto the semifinal game previews.
DEER PARK (10-0) AT LYNDEN CHRISTIAN (10-1)
Time: 1 PM Saturday
Site: Everett Memorial Stadium
When Deer Park has the ball: I’m not entirely sure what kind of offense the Stags run, but the Lync defense has seen it all this season. Two weeks ago it was the undefeated team with the amazing passing attack. Last week it was the undefeated team with the amazing running attack. LC destroyed both teams, and is hungry for this next undefeated team to arrive. Safety Cole Moorlag is improving every week, and is becoming a major difference maker in the playoffs
When Lynden Christian has the ball: It took a few drives to figure out the Lightning last week, but once offensive coach Jon Van Hulzen found a few things that worked, the Lyncs couldn’t be stopped. Easton Stremler supplies the power running game, while Jackson Corkill shows his speed on the outside runs. The added ingredient of Jackson Apol has been awesome for Lynden Christian, and the big guys up front: Davis Gatterman, Levi Libolt, Will Faber, Kase Lautenbach and Erik Veening, have been awesome all season.
Player to watch: Senior quarterback Trajan Schouten. His accuracy alone might be enough to win this game. He doesn’t get rattled, he makes great decisions and he’s a winner.
LYNDEN (9-2) AT STEILACOOM (10-2)
Time: 3 PM Saturday
Site: Mount Tahoma High School
When Lynden has the ball: It’s no secret. The Lions want to pound the ball between the tackles. And why not do it again, just a few months after Steven DiLorenzo ran for a school record 320 yards against this same defense. The Sentinels have improved greatly since that instant classic game, and they will be keying heavily on DiLorenzo. The combination of Baylor Ayres and Brock Heppner has been a joy to watch, and you can bet the Steilacoom is aware of their greatness.
When Steilacoom has the ball: Fireworks. Excitement. Steilacoom has some amazing athletes on this side of the ball, headlined by junior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. If the Lions pay too much attention to the future Division 1 star, junior quarterback Chance McDonald has plenty of other options. The Lions have their work cut out for them, but the emotion that they are playing with… a togetherness unlike most teams around the state, and the knowledge that they can beat these guys… it could go a long way.
Player to watch: Senior offensive weapon/outside linebacker Brock Heppner. He hasn’t put up huge numbers, but when you see a Lynden game in person, he stands out. Always praising his teammates, always fighting for the extra yard and always giving every single thing that he has.
