BY MAKAYLA SPARKS – For Whatcom Preps
LYNDEN – Thursday night at Rollie DeKoster Field started out solemn, but wouldn’t stay that way, as the Lynden Lions took down the Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks 42-21.
With the stands packed full, the evening began with a moment of silence, honoring fallen soldier, Corporal Kevin Antonio-Jose. Corporal Antonio-Jose graduated from Lynden in 2019 and was a member of the Lynden football program during his time there.
He passed away on September 11 of this year as an active duty United States Marine. Alongside the moment of silence, the American flag was flown at half mast in his honor.
After the emotional start, it was time for the two teams to get to work on the field and at the 4:26 mark of the first quarter it was tied 7-7.
The Tomahawks had used 12 plays and just over seven minutes to grab their first touchdown on a four yard run. The Lions, on other hand, needed just one play and 25 seconds to score their first touchdown.
Senior quarterback Brant Heppner aired one out to sophomore receiver Sam Arrango who barreled 52 yards down the field and into the end zone to tie the game.
Marysville-Pilchuck put together another strong drive before breaking a run off down the sideline. The Tomahawk running back outraced the Lynden defenders for a 44-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead with 1:45 to go in the first quarter.
However, just eight seconds into the second quarter, Heppner connect with senior tight end Isaiah Oudman for a 51-yard touchdown pass, tying the game yet again.
Similar to last week’s Lynden game, it was starting to feel like a rinse and repeat pattern for the two teams. The Tomahawks strung together yet another powerful drive and scored their third and final rushing touchdown, this time from 15 yards.
This was when things started to change. Lynden was unable to make something happen on their next drive but neither was Marysville-Pilchuck as junior Dani Bowler returned a punt into Tomahawk territory and hand the ball back to the Lion’s offense.
Lynden drove down the field eating time off the clock, and tied the game with a little under three minutes to go. Junior running back Max Assink powered into the end zone from a yard out which tied the game at 21-21 at the half.
The Lions have been known to make some valuable halftime adjustments as they proved in week one and yet again on Thursday night.
Coming into the second half, the Lynden defense turned it up a notch and wouldn’t allow the Tomahawks to score another point.
The Lynden offense received the ball to the start the half and pushed down the field, scoring on another Assink rushing touchdown just over three minutes into the quarter.
In the special teams shining moment of the night, Lynden sophomore kicker Malachi Koenen delivered on an onside kick that the he recovered himself, handing them back the ball.
For the first time in the night, it felt like one team had finally taken control of the momentum and unfortunately for the Tomahawks, it was in the hands of the Lions.
With six minutes to go in the third quarter, Heppner would complete a hat trick of passing touchdowns, hitting Oudman on a short two yard route for the 35-21 lead.
After the Lions got the stops they needed on defense, the action finally slowed down, but the Lion offense wasn’t quite done yet. Assink capped off his own hat trick of touchdowns, powering into the end zone at the 4:43 mark of the fourth quarter and sealed the deal on a 42-21 victory for the Lions.
Lynden (3-0) will face the undefeated, returning state champion, Anacortes Seahawks next Friday on the road at 7:00.
Lynden 42 Marysville-Pilchuck 21 M-P 14 7 0 0 - 21 LYN 7 14 14 7 - 42 MP - 4 yard touchdown run (kick good) LYN - Arango 52 pass from Heppner (Mal. Koenen kick) MP - 44 yard touchdown run (kick good) LYN - Oudman 51 pass from Heppner (Mal. Koenen kick) MP - 15 yard touchdown run (kick good) LYN - Assink 1 run (Mal. Koenen kick) LYN - Assink 12 run (Mal. Koenen kick) LYN - Oudman 2 pass from Heppner (Mal. Koenen kick) LYN - Assink 3 run (Mar. Koenen kick) M-P LYN 51-341 Rush Att-Yards 27-137 1-2-0 Comp-Att-Int 13-17-1 6 Passing Yards 197 Individual Leaders RUSHING - M-P: N/A. LYN: Assink 19-110, Heppner 8-27. PASSING - M-P: N/A. LYN: Heppner 13-17-1-197. RECEIVING - M-P: N/A. LYN: Oudman 6-106, Bowler 4-24, Arango 3-67.
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