Lyncs Complete Comeback in Overtime

BY MAKAYLA SPARKS – For Whatcom Preps

BELLINGHAM – With the regular season nearing its end, the highly competitive 1A Northwest Conference is delivering quality games every week. On Friday night, the Lynden Christian Lyncs came back and defeated the Meridian Trojans in overtime 30-29.

The Trojans had marched down the field on the first drive of the game and scored when senior quarterback Jaeger Fyfe found the end zone on a one yard run.

Both defenses dug in for much of the first half, and after a few punts back and forth, Meridian sophomore receiver Kasey Brennan hauled in a long catch and took it 58 yards to the house. An interception by sophomore defensive back Trey Alexander put the half to bed with the Trojans up 14-0.

At the 4:46 mark of the third quarter, Meridian senior Kelley Gray powered three yards over the goal line on fourth down, and fellow senior running back Landen Downey raced in for the two point conversation.

There was less than a quarter and a half of football and Lynden Christian was down 22-0. From there, it was the Lyncs show.

Junior quarterback Eli Maberry connected with senior tight end Trey Bosman on a 30-yard pass to put their first points on the board.

Three seconds later, the Lyncs recovered an onside kick and the momentum was beginning to sway.

Maberry hooked up with junior receiver Boyce Robertson on a 10-yard pass for a touchdowns, and the backed up extra point attempt was good, bringing Lynden Christian within one touchdown, 22-14 going into the fourth quarter.

Only two and half minutes remained in regulation when the Lyncs scored their third touchdown of the game.

Maberry hit Bosman on a short slant from his tight end position, and the burly senior, who was fighting off an injured leg, scored his second touchdown of the game. Now down by two, the decision was easy, and LC lined up for the two-point conversion.

Sophomore running back Chris Kooiman leaked out of the backfield, through the line, and was briefly uncovered. It gave Maberry just enough time to find him for the all-important two points to tie the game at 22-22.

Lynden Christian was able to get the ball back again before the game ended, but Alexander stepped in front of a pass to collect his second interception of the game, preventing the Lyncs from scoring and forcing the game into overtime.

The Trojans received the ball first in the extra period, and lined at the 25-yard line in front of the west end zone.

Two plays later Fyfe called his own number and sprinted around the left side of his line and raced into the end zone from nine yards away. Downey’s kick was good, which gave the Trojans a 29-22 lead.

Lynden Christian would have to score a touchdown to stay alive. That they did.

Although LC had totaled just nine yards rushing all game, the two most important ones came when Kooiman took the handoff and scored in overtime.

It came down to one decision and one play. The Lyncs coaching staff opted to go for two points, making it do-or-die for their players.

Robertson ran a slant, which brought multiple Trojan defenders with him, and Bosman was left alone in the right side of the end zone. Maberry threw his pass to him, and immediately walked away with his hand in the air, confident that it just won the game. He was correct.

Lynden Christian will host Nooksack Valley on Friday for the 1A Northwest Conference Championship at 7:00. Meridian will travel to Blaine on Thursday to take on the Borderites at 6:00.

Lynden Christian     30
Meridian             29 (OT)

LC      0    0   14    8    8  -  30
MER     7    7    8    0    7  -  29

MER - Fyfe 1 run (Downey kick)
MER - Brennan 58 pass from Fyfe (Downey kick)
MER - Gray 3 run (Downey run)
LC - Bosman 30 pass from Maberry (Penner kick)
LC - Robertson 10 pass from Maberry (Penner kick)
LC - Bosman 7 pass from Maberry (Kooiman pass from Maberry)
MER - Fyfe 9 run (Downey kick)
LC - Kooiman 2 run (Bosman pass from Maberry)

LC                         MER
17-9    Rush Att-Yards     37-130
22-42-3 Comp-Att-Int       16-27-0
278     Passing Yards      207

Individual Leaders
   RUSHING - LC: Kooiman 7-13, H. Owen 4-3, Johnson 1-2, Maberry 5-(-9). MER: Downey 16-62, Gray 11-52, Fyfe 10-16.
   PASSING - LC: Maberry 22-42-3-278. MER: Fyfe 16-27-0-207.
   RECEIVING - LC: Robertson 5-70, Hintz 5-38, Bosman 4-68, Jay. Huleatt 4-64, Kooiman 2-24, H. Owen 1-19, Maberry 1-(-5). MER: Brennan 7-109, Hedahl 3-47, Alexander 3-27, Downey 2-22, Gray 1-2.