MOUNT VERNON – Rushing for over 3,000 yards behind a giant offensive line was the formula last season for the Lions, so why not go back to it? Lynden racked up nearly 300 yards on the ground, and beat Mount Vernon 27-13 on Saturday.
Senior quarterback Baylor Ayres opened up the scoring with a 23-yard strike to junior wide receiver Kaleo Jandoc, but it ultimately was the power-run game of Ayres and senior running back Caleb Wheeler that ultimately wore down the Bulldog defense.
Wheeler rushed for a career-high 132 yards on 19 carries, while also scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and Ayres churned out 125 yards on 25 carries, with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.
The offensive line of James Sorenson (6-2 280), Christian Bethea (6-3 305), Matthew Furdyk (6-1 255), Gresham Assink (6-1 275) and Caelan Dietrich (6-2 275) did a fantastic job, and reminded the few fans allowed in attendance of last season’s run-heavy Lions.
The Lynden defense also pitched a shutout for the first three quarters, and was led by defensive lineman Carter Van Diest and linebacker Taivin Van Dalen.
The Lions (1-0) will travel to Ferndale (1-0) on Friday at 7:00 to take on the Golden Eagles.
Lynden 27
Mount Vernon 13
LYN 13 0 0 14 – 27
MV 0 0 0 13 – 13
LYN – Jandoc 23 pass from Ayres (kick failed)
LYN – Ayres 1 run (Petz kick)
LYN – Wheeler 4 run (Petz kick)
MV – 1 yard touchdown run (kick good)
LYN – Wheeler 9 run (Petz kick)
MV – 5 yard touchdown run (kick failed)
LYN MV
46-282 Rushing Att-Yards 38-123
6-15-1 Comp-Att-Int 12-21-1
57 Passing yards 147
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – LYN: Wheeler 19-132, Ayres 24-125, Slayton 3-25. MV: N/A.
PASSING – LYN: Ayres 6-15-1-57. MV: N/A.
RECEIVING – LYN: Jandoc 3-40, Wheeler 2-7, Slayton 1-10. MV: N/A.
