LYNDEN (2) VS TUMWATER (1)
Time: 4 PM Saturday
Site: Sparks Stadium
Listen Here: KPUG – Pregame starts at 3:35
The State Championship. It’s the ultimate in high school sports. All of that weight lifting in the offseason, all of that preparation during the season, and all of that hard work and dedication on the practice field comes down to one final game.
Whatcom County has been blessed over the years, with numerous state championship appearances and a handful of state titles. But, Lynden has blessed the county more than others.
This will be the 13th time that the Lions play for a state title, and they are hoping to capture their eighth championship. To do that, they will have to topple the Goliath that is Tumwater.
What makes this Lynden squad so special? How do you pinpoint it? It’s simple, really. You don’t pinpoint it. You look at it as a whole. It’s the team, the coaches, the belief in each other and the love of the game.
The Thunderbirds have multiple star players that will play at the next level, and the Lions will have to combat that with top-notch team-play.
2021 Season Recap:
Game 1: Lynden 24, Hockinson 21 – In a week one thriller, the Lions opened the season up with a home win behind a huge game from senior Max Moore who rushed for 122 yards. Junior wide receiver Isaiah Stanley also caught a pair of touchdown passes, one from Moore and one from Kaedan Hermanutz.
Game 2: Ferndale 35, Lynden 25 – In Lynden’s only loss of the season, the Lions couldn’t contain Golden Eagle running back Isaiah Carlson who rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Lynden running back Lane Heeringa broke out with 95 yards and a touchdown, while Troy Petz returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
Game 3: Lynden 15, Squalicum 12 – In a wild and windy rainstorm, the two top NWC 2A teams battled until the very end. Djouvensky Schlenbaker ran for 100 yards, and scored both of the Storm touchdowns, but the leading rusher on this evening was Campbell Nolte, who finished with 106 yards.
Game 4: Lynden 38, Burlington-Edison 35 – It was another tremendous rivalry game, that came down to the final seconds. Troy Petz hit a short field goal with 10 seconds left in the game to secure the win in the first road game of the season. Lane Heeringa was the workhorse, carrying the ball 28 times for 148 yards. Campbell Nolte and Kaleo Jandoc each found the end zone twice.
Game 5: Lynden 51, Cedarcrest 21 – It was an overall team effort in this contest, with six different players scoring touchdowns. Cade Slayton returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown, on a pass that was deflected by Campbell Nolte. Nolte also ran for 100 yards, and Lane Heeringa scored twice.
Game 6: Lynden 42, Lakewood 19 – This may have been the breakout game that really vaulted the Lions into the next level. Kaedan Hermanutz threw five touchdown passes, and Kaleo Jandoc was on the end result of four of them while also putting up 168 yards receiving. Star linebacker Taivin VanDalen also had a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Game 7: Lynden 23, Sehome 7 – In this strong defensive performance, this was the game when the Lions unveiled its power package, going double-tight with two running backs and just one wide receiver. It harkened back to 90’s Lynden football, and behind it’s massive offensive line, the Lions were successful yet again.
Game 8: Lynden 38, Archbishop Murphy 14 – The Lions took advantage of short fields and a wounded Wildcat team, to take care of business in their final game of the season at Rollie DeKoster Field. Collin Anker returned a punt for a touchdown, while eight different players carried the ball, and seven different players caught a pass.
Game 9: Lynden 14, Sedro-Woolley 6 – Kaleo Jandoc’s kickoff return for a touchdown turned this game around, while the Lions kept the ball on the ground as they fed Lane Heeringa and Campbell Nolte a combined 33 times.
Game 10: Lynden 34, Fife 0 – Whew! It was time to breathe a little bit as the Lions earned a week 10 bye, and got ready for the state playoffs. This first round matchup was all Lynden as Lane Heeringa ate up 143 yards on the ground while Case Zweegman’s 55-yard touchdown catch was enough to get the entire county excited!
Game 11: Lynden 54, Prosser 20 – With the pass-happy Mustangs in town, Kaedan Hermanutz showed what he could also do behind center as he threw for 197 yards and four touchdowns while also leading his team on the ground with 85 yards and a score. Kaleo Jandoc had another monster game with five receptions for 156 yards and three touchdowns.
Game 12: Lynden 15, North Kitsap 10 – We’ll all remember that final drive, and for good reason, but the Lion defense showed everybody what it has been doing all season. The bend, but don’t break, attitude kept the Vikings out of the end zone for all but one play, and Taivin VanDalen’s efforts landed him the WIAA Athlete of the Week.
