PUYALLUP – State-wide experts predicted a defensive, low-scoring affair. Lynden played great defense, and shut the Trojans out 31-0 at Sparks Stadium on Saturday.
Fife was able to control the ball for most of the first half, but struggled inside the red zone. The Lions made great use of their time with the ball, scoring on a pair of dynamic plays just before half time. The first on a 50-yard sprint straight up the middle by senior quarterback James Marsh. His speed was unmatched, as he cut straight through the Trojan defense. Marsh finished with a game-high 120 yards rushing.
Moments later it was junior quarterback Brock Heppner finding senior wide receiver Kobe Elsner on a deep, 74 yard touchdown pass down the right sideline.
Fife had a good drive going to begin the third quarter but junior linebacker Bodie Human deflected a pass which was then intercepted by senior safety Brendan Kleindel, who returned it 34 yards. That would set up a 15-yard touchdown pass from Marsh to a diving Elsner in the right corner of the end zone. Elsner finished with three receptions for 132 yards.
Heppner then scored on a 1-yard plunge over the left side of his offensive line moments after the fourth quarter began. Senior corner back Grant VanderYacht intercepted a pass on the following drive and the Lynden dominance continued. Junior kicker Marko Samoukovic nailed a 28-yard field goal to close out the Lion scoring.
The Lynden offense was extremely balanced, rushing and passing for over 200 yards each.
The defense also flexed its muscles with Heppner getting a sack and a tackle for loss. Lynden also got tackles for loss from Kleindel, Marty Karb and Matthew Furdyk.
This will be the 13th trip to state championship game for the Lynden football team, and the first trip since 2014. The Lions (12-0) will faced top-ranked Hockinson (14-0) at 1pm on Saturday at the Tacoma Dome. If you are not able to make it to the Tacoma Dome, you can listen to the broadcast on The Doug Lange Network.
Lynden won state championships in 1980, 1991, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Lynden 31
Fife 0
LYN 0 14 7 10 – 31
FIFE 0 0 0 0 – 0
LYN – Marsh 50 run (Samoukovic kick)
LYN – Elsner 74 pass from Heppner (Samoukovic kick)
LYN – Elsner 15 pass from Marsh (Samoukovic kick)
LYN – Heppner 1 run (Samoukovic kick)
LYN – Samoukovic 28 FG
LYN FIFE
43-230 Rushing Att-Yards 48-190
11-13-0 Comp-Att-Int 3-10-2
204 Passing yards 10
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – LYN: Marsh 12-120, Melendez 10-53, Wheeler 7-33, Heppner 7-21, Slayton 3-8, Moore 1-4, Ayres 3-(-1). FIFE: N/A.
PASSING – LYN: Marsh 6-7-0-52, Heppner 4-5-0-120, Ayres 1-1-0-32. FIFE: N/A.
RECEIVING – LYN: Elsner 3-132, VanderYacht 2-39, C. Bode 2-26, Marsh 1-3. FIFE: N/A.
