ROYAL CITY – The Knights came into the game with a 36-game winning streak, and having not lost a game at home since 2011. The Lyncs came into Royal City with a 3-0 record, and a ton of determination, and they came away with a 21-14 victory over Royal at David Nielsen Field on Saturday.
After forcing a punt on the first drive, the Lyncs were able to put together a healthy drive behind some strong running between the tackles, which ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Jeremiah Wright.
The Knights answered right back 11 seconds later by returning the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, and Lynden Christian’s early lead quickly turned into a 7-7 tie.
Both teams battled for the rest of the first quarter, and into the second, with both teams turning the ball over in key moments.
Wright scored his second touchdown of the game with two minutes left until halftime. The Lyncs even got the back one more time before halftime, and after being aided with a tackle-busting 30-yard run by senior Kade Eldridge, Lynden Christian was able to attempt a 45-yard field goal just before the half. The kick by senior Braden Kuik, however, just fell short.
The Lyncs still looked to have the momentum going into the third quarter, especially with them receiving the ball to start the second half. The momentum was quickly shot down when a quick interception gave the Knights a short field, which they converted into a quick touchdown three plays later to tie the game at 14.
The rest of the third quarter, and the first half of the fourth quarter really showed how even the two teams were, as it was just a battle for field position.
It was a Royal fumble at the LC 40-yard line which was recovered by Lync junior defensive back Tyson Bajema that gave the Lyncs new life.
Lynden Christian then drove 61 yards on nine hard-fought plays, and Wright scored his third touchdown of the game on a 2-yard plunge over the right side of his offensive line with 20 seconds left in the game, and the game-winner.
Eldridge was the workhorse, carrying the ball 27 times for 146 yards, and to go along with Wright’s three touchdown runs, he completed 19-of-29 passes for 167 yards.
Bajema led his team in receiving with seven receptions for 67 yards, while Whatcom County’s leading receiver, Tyler Sipma, hauled in five passes for 46 yards.
Defensively, LC was led by senior safety Lane Dykstra who had five tackles, two interceptions and another pass broken up. Kuik had five tackles, including two tackles for loss, and Sipma posted 6.5 tackles, a pass broken up and an interception.
The Lyncs (4-0) will play their third Saturday game in a row this weekend when they travel to Renton (2-2) to take on the Redhawks at 7:00.
Lynden Christian 21 Royal 14 LC 7 7 0 7 - 21 ROY 7 0 7 0 - 14 LC - Wright 3 run (Kuik kick) ROY - 94 yard kickoff return (kick good) LC - Wright 5 run (Kuik kick) ROY - 9 yard touchdown pass (kick good) LC - Wright 2 run (Kuik kick) LC ROY 44-183 Rush Att-Yards 17-42 19-29-2 Comp-Att-Int 17-30-3 167 Passing Yards 176 Individual Leaders RUSHING - LC: Eldridge 27-146, Wright 17-37. ROY: N/A. PASSING - LC: Wright 19-29-2-167. ROY: N/A. RECEIVING - LC: Bajema 7-67, Sipma 5-46, Kuik 3-23, Eldridge 1-28, Blair 1-8, Stuit 1-(-1), D. Bouma 1-(-1). ROY: N/A.
