BELLINGHAM – Even though Lynden Christian gave up points for the first time in 42 days, the Lyncs walked away with a 49-18 victory over Tenino at Civic Stadium on Saturday.
The Beavers used their heavy run game to go 95 yards on eight plays to begin the game, and eventually scored on a 52-yard scamper, but Lynden Christian was able to answer back by scoring two touchdowns of it’s own in the first half.
The first was a 5-yard pass from Will Colwell to Caleb Ryan, and the second was a 12-yard run by junior Kade Eldridge.
Eldridge then scored to open up the second half, this time from 16 yards out, and the play made on the ensuing kickoff gave the Lyncs all the momentum in the world. Ryan was able to stand up the Beaver kick returner, and rip the ball out of his hands, and return it nine yards. Moments later Colwell threw his second touchdown of the game, this time on a deep pass down the left sideline to senior Jamison Hintz from 30 yards out.
Now down 28-6 early in the third quarter, Tenino was able to break another long touchdown run, but LC wouldn’t lose momentum as Eldridge countered by ripping off a 66-yard touchdown run. the 240-pound tailback finished with a career-high 194 yards on just 12 carries.
The Beavers stayed with the ground attack, and was able to score again on a 61-yard touchdown run, but speedy senior Zac Owen returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown. It was Owen’s second special teams touchdown of the season.
Tenino ran the ball 70 times for 416 yards, and only attempted two passes. One knocked into the air by Eldridge and intercepted by sophomore defensive end Jeremiah Wright, and the other was batted away by Hintz.
Lynden Christian backup running back Isaac Paxton took his only carry of the game 55 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring for the Lyncs.
Defensively, senior linebacker Matthew Burrows led his team with 14.5 tackles, while Eldridge and Andrew Jewell each had two stops behind the line of scrimmage.
The Lyncs will travel this weekend to take on Eatonville. The location, date and time are yet to be determined.
Tenino 18 Lynden Christian 49 TEN 6 0 12 0 - 18 LC 7 7 28 7 - 49 TEN - 52 yard touchdown run (run failed) LC - Ryan 5 pass from Colwell (VanHofwegen kick) LC - Eldridge 12 run (VanHofwegen kick) LC - Eldridge 16 run (VanHofwegen kick) LC - Hintz 30 pass from Colwell (VanHofwegen kick) TEN - 20 yard touchdown run (run failed) LC - Eldridge 66 run (VanHofwegen kick) TEN - 61 yard touchdown run (run failed) LC - Owen 83 kickoff return (VanHofwegen kick) LC - Paxton 55 run (VanHofwegen kick)
TEN LC 70-416 Rush Att-Yards 27-315 0-2-1 Comp-Att-Int 7-12-1 0 Passing Yards 122 Individual Leaders RUSHING - TEN: N/A. LC: Eldridge 12-194, Paxton 1-55, Colwell 10-45, Owen 3-10, Sipma 1-11. PASSING - TEN: N/A. LC: Colwell 7-12-1-122. RECEIVING - TEN: N/A. LC: Ryan 3-76, Hintz 1-30, Sipma 1-12, Penner 1-5, Eldridge 1-(-1).
