BELLINGHAM – The Lions spread the wealth, as five different players scored touchdowns in the 34-0 win over the Trojans on Saturday night at Civic Stadium in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs.
Lynden went 52 yards on seven plays on its first drive of the game, and capped it with a powerful 14-yard touchdown run by running back Lane Heeringa. The junior finished with a team-high 143 yards rushing on 20 carries.
Junior Campbell Nolte scored from a yard out in the second quarter, and when Fife’s 45-yard field goal attempt fell just short seconds before halftime, the Lions went into the locker room with a 14-0 lead.
Following a stalemate third quarter, the Lions scored three straight touchdowns in the final period.
The first was a 2-yard plunge from senior Cade Slayton, who lined up as the wildcat quarterback, which culminated a 16-play 94-yard drive.
After forcing a three-and-out, Lynden had another strong drive that ended with a 55-yard scoring strike from junior quarterback Kaedan Hermanutz to senior tight end Case Zweegman.
It was the first reception of Zweegman’s stellar high school career, who switched jersey numbers earlier in the season so he could play tight end. The last time that Hermanutz through a ball to Zweegman in a game was last spring during baseball when Zweegman was at first base holding the baserunner on, and Hermanutz attempted a pickoff from the pitching mound.
After an immediate turnover that game the Lions great field position, Lynden scored it’s final touchdown on a 5-yard run by Hermanutz, who finished the contest completing 11-of-16 passes for 149 yards, while also picking up 69 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Defensively, Lynden was led by Zweegman who had nine tackles, including three tackles for a loss. The Lions also had multiple stops behind the line of scrimmage by Slayton, Trey Smiley, Luke Winterberg and Javier Zavala.
Lynden will host Prosser this weekend. The time and location is yet to be determined.
Fife 0 Lynden 34 FIFE 0 0 0 0 - 0 LYN 7 7 0 20 - 34 LYN - Heeringa 14 run (Petz kick) LYN - Nolte 1 run (Petz kick) LYN - Slayton 2 run (Petz kick) LYN - Zweegman 55 pass from Hermanutz (run failed) LYN - Hermanutz 5 run (Petz kick)
FIFE LYN 40-147 Rush Att-Yards 42-270 1-5-0 Comp-Att-Int 11-16-0 2 Passing Yards 149 Individual Leaders RUSHING - FIFE: N/A. LYN: Heeringa 20-143, Hermanutz 10-69, Nolte 7-36, Elenbaas 2-11, Ayres 1-6, Human 1-3, Slayton 1-2. PASSING - FIFE: N/A. LYN: Hermanutz 11-16-0-149. RECEIVING - FIFE: N/A. LYN: Stanley 5-31, Antypas 2-36, Jandoc 2-24, Zweegman 1-55, Nolte 1-3.
