BELLINGHAM – After starting out the season 7-0, the Mount Baker football team was upended last week at home against a powerful Lynden Christian team. On Friday night, the Mountaineers were back to their winning ways after defeating Meridian 43-21 at Trojans Field.
After forcing a Mount Baker punt to begin the game, the Trojans looked efficient on their opening drive, going 76 yards on 16 plays which ended with a one-yard touchdown plunge by senior quarterback Cameron Webster. The drive also took up the majority of the first quarter, but the Mounties used every bit of the second quarter.
Mount Baker exploded for 28 points in the second quarter, as junior quarterback Mason Jacoby displayed his downfield accuracy. He hit junior Ayden Rodriguez on a 35-yard touchdown pass to begin the quarter, and again on a 30-yarder just before half time. He also hit senior tight end Waylon Kentner on long distance passes that set up both of Toby Jefferson’s short touchdown runs in the quarter.
Jacoby had one of the finest passing games of his young varsity career with 176 yards through the air, completing 9-of-14 passes.
The third quarter saw Rodriguez run an end around for 6-yard touchdown, and senior running back Jason Lee scored on a 2-yard dive one play after Jefferson ripped off a 52-yard scamper. Jefferson finished with a game-high 123 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Sophomore linebacker Davin Beason led the defensive charge with nine solo tackles, four assisted tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack. Senior defensive tackle Cody Saulsbury registered a pair of sacks, and senior safety Mark Tikhonov chipped in with five solo tackles, a pass defended and an interception. He also had an electric 33-yard punt return.
The Trojans score two touchdowns in the final quarter. Webster found senior wide receiver Ryan Johnson in the end zone from seven yards out, and the two connected again as Johnson broke loose from the broken coverage and Webster found him downfield for a 49-yard touchdown. Webster completed 10-of-21 passes for 138 yards and also ran for 81 yards on 18 carries.
Mount Baker (7-1) will travel to Nooksack Valley (2-6) to take on the Pioneers on Friday, and Meridian (2-6) will travel to Lynden Christian (6-1) and do battle with the Lyncs on Thursday.
Mount Baker 43
Meridian 21
MB 0 28 15 0 – 43
MER 7 0 0 14 – 21
MER – Webster 1 run (Loya kick)
MB – Rodriguez 35 pass from Jacoby (Zavala kick)
MB – Jefferson 1 run (Zavala kick)
MB – Jefferson 3 run (Zavala kick)
MB – Rodriguez 30 pass from Jacoby (Zavala kick)
MB – Rodriguez 6 run (Jacoby run)
MB – Lee 2 run (Zavala kick)
MER – Johnson 7 pass from Webster (Loya kick)
MER – Johnson 49 pass from Webster (Loya kick)
MB MER
32-206 Rushing Att-Yards 33-161
9-14-0 Comp-Att-Int 10-21-1
176 Passing yards 138
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – MB: Jefferson 12-123, Lee 10-51, Rodriguez 3-24, Tikhonov 3-12, Paez 1-0, Jacoby 3-(-4). MER: Webster 18-81, Martin 10-45, Watt 3-20, Silves 2-15.
PASSING – MB: Jacoby 9-14-0-176. MER: Webster 10-21-1-138.
RECEIVING – MB: Kentner 4-67, Rodriguez 3-77, Smith 1-20, Lee 1-12. MER: Watt 3-16, Johnson 2-56, Gookstetter 2-15, Silves 1-50, Martin 1-1, E. Brooks 1-0.
