LYNDEN – It was an abrupt season, and it ended quickly as well. There were a lot of question marks six weeks ago, but there was one question answered on Saturday night. Lynden Christian proved to be Whatcom County’s top team when it defeated Mount Baker 33-14.
The Lyncs and the Mountaineers each came into the game as the only two undefeated teams left in the county, and after splitting victories against each other in 2019, this was the ultimate test for both teams.
Nerves seemed to get to both teams early on as both teams threw interceptions and traded punts throughout the first quarter, but the Mounties were able to break through in the second quarter when senior running back Toby Jefferson scored from a yard out. Jefferson finished with 105 yards rushing on 29 carries.
The Lyncs answered back on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Logan Dykstra to tight end Kolin Sterk. It was a fantastic call, as Lynden Christian was in the wishbone formation, and hadn’t attempted a pass out of that formation in the few dozen times they had been in it over the past two seasons.
Mount Baker struck back later in the second quarter when senior wide receiver Garrett Smith beat double coverage to come down with a 38-yard pass perfectly thrown by senior quarterback Mason Jacoby for a touchdown.
However, the Lyncs did it again, and again from the wishbone formation as they handed to Caleb Ryan who had lined up at fullback and scored from a yard out. With the score tied at 14 going into halftime, it appeared to be one of those games that would come down to the last play, but LC had different plans.
The Lync defense was able to strengthen as the game wore on, and was able to halt the vaunted Mountaineer rushing attack. It forced Mount Baker to throw, which put the spotlight on the strength of Lynden Christian defense, it’s secondary.
Dykstra threw two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, both to senior Cole Moorlag, and senior running back David Bootsma also scored a touchdown from 17-yards out. Dykstra completed 16-of-30 passes for 289 yards, and Moorlag caught nine of them for 190 yards, both of which were career-highs.
Senior Shale Whittern led the LC defensive attack with 11.5 tackles, and a pass broken up. Usually a cornerback, Whittern played more of an outside linebacker, which added an extra player in the box against Mount Baker. Moorlag had 7.5 tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass broken up while senior Jackson Apol, who shadowed Whatcom County’s leading receiver Ayden Rodriguez the entire game, ended with eight tackles and two passes broken up.
Rodriguez finished the game with a team-high seven receptions for 100 yards.
Lynden Christian senior linebackers Cody Bajema and Kolin Sterk each had memorable games to end their careers. Both players ended with six tackles a tackle for loss, a sack and an interception.
Jacoby also had a big game from his safety position for Mount Baker as he intercepted two passes, and had a fumble recovery. Rodriguez also intercepted a pass in the game. Dykstra came into the game without throwing an interception all season.
The Lyncs finished with a 5-0 record, and Mount Baker closed out with a 5-1 record.
Mount Baker 14
Lynden Christian 33
MB 0 14 0 0 – 14
LC 0 14 12 7 – 33
MB – Jefferson 1 run (Zavala kick)
LC – Sterk 34 pass from Dykstra (Apol kick)
MB – G. Smith 38 pass from Jacoby (Zavala kick)
LC – Ryan 1 run (Apol kick)
LC – Moorlag 27 pass from Dykstra (kick failed)
LC – Da. Bootsma 17 run (kick failed)
LC – Moorlag 17 pass from Dykstra (Apol kick)
MB LC
40-91 Rushing Att-Yards 23-111
12-30-2 Comp-Att-Int 16-31-3
198 Passing yards 289
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – MB: Jefferson 29-105, Sande 6-19, Rodriguez 1-(-6), Jacoby 4-(-27). LC: Dykstra 12-68, Da. Bootsma 6-26, Apol 1-9, Moorlag 3-7, Ryan 1-1.
PASSING – MB: Jacoby 12-30-2-198. LC: Dykstra 16-30-2-289, Moorlag 0-1-1-0.
RECEIVING – MB: Rodriguez 7-100, G. Smith 3-71, Sande 1-19, Lee 1-8. LC: Moorlag 9-190, Apol 3-44, Ryan 2-3, Sterk 1-34, Sipma 1-18.
