BY MAKAYLA SPARKS – For Whatcom Preps
ANACORTES – For the last two years, the Anacortes/Lynden match-up has been one of the best in the state at the 2A level. This year was no different with fans from both teams packing the stands at Anacortes High School. The Seahawks came out on top of the contest, as the Lions received their first loss of the season, 35-21.
Anacortes got a stop early and scored on a 33-yard pass for its first points. With around five and a half minutes to go in the first quarter, the Seahawks scored again on an eight-yard run to double their lead to 14-0.
Just before the quarter expired, Lynden senior quarterback Brant Heppner connected with sophomore wide receiver Sam Arango in the corner of the north end zone. The 11-yard touchdown reception and successful point after attempt from sophomore kicker Malachi Koenen made the score 14-7 for the Seahawks entering the second quarter.
The Lynden defense made some noise to start the quarter, stopping a fourth-down conversion attempt by the Anacortes. However, it was all for not, when the Seahawks powered in for a four-yard touchdown on their next drive.
When the Lions got the ball back only 44 seconds remained in the first half. But, they would only need 25 seconds as Heppner found Arango yet again. Arango scurried into the end zone for a 29 yard touchdown reception and cut the Anacortes lead to 28-14.
Arango finished the game with five receptions for 129 yards.
The Seahawks struck first in the second half, scoring on a 17-yard pass with 8:43 to go in the third quarter.
The Lion defense, which had allowed just one touchdown in the second halves of their first three games, didn’t allow Anacortes into the end zone for the rest of game, finally halting the Seahawk offense.
The Lynden offense found the end zone for the last score of the night late into the fourth quarter when Heppner hit senior tight end Isaiah Oudman in the end zone on a 23 yard pass to make the score 35-21.
The Lions were unable to recover the onside kick and Anacortes wore off the last three minutes on the clock to cement its 35-21 win.
Lynden (3-1) will host Sehome (3-1) at 7:00 on Friday.
Anacortes 35 Lynden 21 LYN 7 7 0 7 - 21 ANA 14 14 7 0 - 35 ANA - 33 yard touchdown pass (kick good) ANA - 8 yard touchdown run (kick good) LYN - Arango 11 pass from Heppner (Mal. Koenen kick) ANA - 21 yard touchdown run (kick good) ANA - 4 yard touchdown run (kick good) LYN - Arango 29 pass from Heppner (Mal. Koenen kick) ANA - 17 yard touchdown pass (kick good) LYN - Oudman 27 pass from Heppner (Mal. Koenen kick) LYN ANA 18-60 Rush Att-Yards 47-221 13-33-1 Comp-Att-Int 18-28-0 270 Passing Yards 265 Individual Leaders RUSHING - LYN: Assink 14-50, Heppner 4-10. ANA: N/A. PASSING - LYN: Heppner 13-33-1-270. ANA: N/A. RECEIVING - LYN: Arango 5-129, Oudman 3-96, Bowler 3-30, Price 1-8, Jorgensen 1-7. ANA: N/A.
