BY MAKAYLA SPARKS – For Whatcom Preps
LYNDEN – It was no surprise that Rollie DeKoster Field was packed full on Friday night, where the Lynden Lions faced the Anacortes Seahawks.
Coming into the game both teams were ranked top five in the state, had guaranteed playoff spots, and were undefeated in conference play. The game decided the conference champions and it would ultimately be the Seahawks who took home the title with a 15-8 victory.
Both the Anacortes and Lynden offenses have been known to put up points at times but on Friday night both teams were held to their lowest-scoring output of the season.
The first quarter was scoreless as Lynden worked time off the clock but was unable to put up any points. Lion sophomore Dani Bowler created the first defensive turnover of the game when he picked off an Anacortes pass mid-way through the first quarter.
Anacortes, however, erased the zero from their side of the scoreboard a minute and a half into the second quarter.
The touchdown came on a 17-yard pass completed deep into the corner of the east end zone.
Despite the defenses being the difference makers on the night, Anacortes had the only punt of the game late in the second quarter. Lynden continually made the decision to go for fourth down conversations throughout the night but struggled to convert successfully much of the first half, leading to a 7-0 advantage for the Seahawks as the half expired.
Lynden got on the board in the third quarter with senior backup quarterback Charlie Ayres, who went in for starting quarterback junior Brant Heppner who was battling an injury from the first half of the game.
The Lions received the ball with 10 minutes to go in the third quarter before putting together a 13-play 56-yard drive that ended when Ayres rushed into the end zone from two yards out.
A penalty in favor of Lynden on the following extra-point attempt helped in the decision-making process as the Lions decided to go for the two points. They did so successfully as Ayres rushed the ball in for the second time and Lynden took an 8-7 lead.
Lynden junior outside linebacker Isaiah Oudman picked off an Anacortes pass attempt to keep the score at 8-7 as the third quarter came to an end.
Anacortes scored with just over five minutes to go in the game on a two-yard run and converted the two points, giving the Seahawks a 15-8 advantage.
The Lions attempted to keep Anacortes guessing as they traded back and for between Heppner and Ayres at quarterback but an interception in the end zone was the nail in the coffin.
The Seahawks got the ball back with a minute and a half to go and went home with the 15-8 win.
Lynden’s defense got big contributions from senior safety Zach Welch and Ayres who each had a team-high eight tackles.
The Lions finished the regular season with a 7-2 record, and will be off next week as they await to see what seed they will receive for the 2A state tournament.
Anacortes 15 Lynden 8 ANA 0 7 0 8 - 15 LYN 0 0 8 0 - 8 ANA - 17 yard touchdown pass (kick good) LYN - Ayres 2 run (Ayres run) ANA - 1 yard touchdown run (2-pt pass good) ANA LYN 28-99 Rush Att-Yards 39-133 13-21-2 Comp-Att-Int 6-25-1 120 Passing Yards 70 Individual Leaders RUSHING - ANA: N/A. LYN: Ayres 19-72, M. Assink 14-41, Heppner 5-20, Human 1-0. PASSING - ANA: N/A. LYN: Heppner 6-22-1-70, Ayres 0-3-0-0. RECEIVING - ANA: N/A. LYN: Oudman 3-43, Elsner 2-17, Moore 1-10.
