FOOTBALL
1975 Season
As a junior, he was already one of the most dominating players on his own team.
Starting at both offensive and defensive line, he led the Trojans through the season, but it was a season that he’d likely want to forget.
Meridian began the season at home against Blaine, and were shut out 12-0.
The Trojans then had hard fought battles on the road that resulted in one-score losses to Mount Baker and Lynden Christian.
A 27-14 loss at home against Nooksack Valley was then followed up by a 49-0 drubbing by the hands of Lynden.
The season was half complete, and it was time to go through the Whatcom County League gauntlet a second time.
Meridian played the Borderites tough on the road, but lost 18-12.
It didn’t go well after that, as the Trojans scored just one touchdown the rest of the season, and finished the year 0-10.
Hemnes was still recognized as one of the best players in the county, and was named All-WCL 2nd Team at both offensive line and defensive line.
1976 Season
In his senior season, the Trojan football season didn’t have a ton of expectations, especially because of the prior season.
However, the Trojans began the season by walloping Blaine 20-0 on the road.
They then lost a tight on at home, 10-8, against Mount Baker, but rebounded with a 21-0 win over Lynden Christian at home.
The shutout over LC helped start a winning streak that the fans of Meridian had never seen the likes of before.
A six-game winning streak ensued, which included four shutouts, and they had five on the year.
Prior to the season, the Trojans had never even won six games in a season before, and they were entering week nine with a 7-1 record.
They lost the final two games, and barely missed the playoffs, but finished in second place in the WCL.
It was one of the biggest turnarounds, from season to season, in Whatcom County League history.
At season’s end, Hemnes was awarded by being named All-WCL First Team at offensive line, as he led the way for an amazing 10 different Trojans to score a touchdown that season.
Football Career
He should always be remembered as one of the great initial lineman in Meridian history, on a team that changed the fortunes of Trojan football. In 2014 he was named #387 on the list of Whatcom County’s Top 500 football players of all time.
BASKETBALL
1975-76 Season
As a junior, he provided size off the bench.
The Trojans were in in until the very end, but a late-season loss to Nooksack Valley ended Meridian’s chances of playing in the district tournament.
1976-77 Season
He started out his senior year with a sprained ankle, due to football.
A few weeks into the season he scored a season-high nine points to help aid the Trojans in a 62-54 triumph over Blaine on the road.
He was able to contribute throughout the rest of the season, and used his 6-foot-2 195-pound frame to out-muscle his opponents.
After placing fourth in the Whatcom County League, the Trojans were out to prove that they belonged in the prestigious Northwest District Tournament.
They were defeated in the district opener against an immensely strong Lakeside team 62-49.
The loss sent the Trojans to the consolation bracket, where they then beat Granite Falls, 52-44, to keep their season alive.
A few days later, Meridian beat Darrington, 62-56, and the Trojans were on the doorstep of making the state tournament for the first time in school history.
In a battle for the final berth to state, Meridian upended the defending state champion Lynden Christian Lyncs 56-34, and the party was on.
In the state opener, the Trojans were beat by much taller Montesano, 63-50.
Meridian bounced back in the second round of the state tournament by eliminating Kiona-Benton by a score of 48-42. Coming into the game, the Trojans had a sub-.500 record, and the Bears were 19-5.
The season ended the next day, as the Northwest District Champion Lakeside Lions beat Meridian, 70-42.
The Trojans finished with a record of 11-14, but to that point, it was the most successful boys basketball team in school history.
Basketball Career
Much like in football, he helped improve his team greatly from one season to the next. His overall toughness exemplified the Trojan basketball team, especially during its magical run in the late winter of 1977.
