BELLINGHAM – After surviving a scare from Sedro-Woolley last week, it was Sehome this week that gave Lynden everything it could handle, but the Lions did what they needed to do to come out on top 21-19 at Civic Stadium on Friday night.
The Mariners started strong, forcing a three-and-out on Lynden’s first possession, and then driving down the field and scoring the first touchdown, a 1-yard run by freshman quarterback Nolan Wright. The drive was highlighted by a 40-yard run by senior Tommy Funk, which was sprung by a key block from freshman guard Cole Turrell.
Funk led all rushers with 101 yards on 16 carries.
The two teams traded punts for the rest of the first quarter, and Lynden got its first big drive of the game in the second quarter, including it’s first first down. It was a time-consuming drive that drained most of the clock in the second quarter. It was also keyed by a 48-yard pitch and catch from sophomore Brant Heppner to senior Collin Anker. Heppner would score moments later on a 5-yard run. Troy Petz’s extra point put the Lions ahead 7-6.
Sehome was driving well on the following possession, but it ultimately ended as halftime approached.
Lynden’s defense forced the Mariners to go three-and-out to begin the third quarter, and Isaiah Stanley’s 18-yard punt return was able to give the Lions great field possession on Sehome’s side of the field.
A few plays later senior quarterback Kaedan Hermanutz sprinted to his left for a 41-yard gain, but fumbled the ball into the end zone, which was recovered by Sehome. Fortunately for Lynden, the official ruled Hermanutz had stepped out at the 1-yard line before the fumble. Senior running back Lane Heeringa scored on the next play, and the Lions were ahead 14-6.
The Mariners put together a great drive on their next possession, getting as close at the the Lynden 6-yard line, but sophomore defensive lineman Blake Holman was able to force a fumble, which was pounced on by junior defensive lineman Javier Zavala.
Sehome quickly forced a punt, which was caught by Andre Watson at his own 48-yard line. The slippery sophomore made a few moves, and then sprinted through the Lynden would-be tacklers to score his second special teams touchdown of the season. The two-point conversion try was no good, and the Lions held on to a 14-12 lead.
Mariner senior safety Jackson Dew then intercepted a pass on the following possession, and returned into Lynden territory, which brought the game into the fourth quarter.
Sehome was able to pick up a few first downs, but had to settle for a 30-yard field goal attempt from the right hashmark by sophomore Grady Evans. The kick had the distance, but it hooked too far to the left, and Lynden took over from its own 20-yard line.
The Lions then picked up some first downs, but ultimately stalled out and was forced to punt. Petz’s fourth punt of the game sailed 50 yards before Watson picked it up at his own 5-yard line, and he was swallowed up at the 10-yard line.
The field position was key, as Heeringa was able to intercept a pass a few plays later, and he returned it to the Mariner 24-yard line.
Still clinging to a 14-12 lead, now in the fourth quarter, Lynden was able to run some clock before setting up for 35-yard field goal by Petz. Or so, it appeared that way.
The Lions reached down into their bag of tricks, and executed a perfect fake field goal, with Petz carrying the ball off the right side of his line. He picked up the first down just before being pushed out of bounds by Watson. Heeringa then scored on the next play from nine yards away, and Lynden held a 21-12 lead with little time left.
Sehome marched down the field in an efficient way, and was able to score on a 12-yard fade into the left back corner of the endzone from Wright to Watson. Evans’ extra point made closed the gap to two points, 21-19.
Watson finished with a career-high seven receptions for 71 yards.
The Mariners attempted an onside kick, but it was recovered by Trey Smiley of Lynden, which ended the hard-fought contest.
The Lynden defense was led by senior linebacker Chris Elenbaas (10 tackles) and Heeringa (9.5 tackles and the interception). The Mariners were led defensively by senior outside linebacker Max Malo who finished with eight tackles, including a tackle for loss.
The Lions (5-0) will be back at home on Friday when they take on Archbishop Murphy (0-4) at 7:00, and at the same time Sehome (3-2) will be on the road to battle Anacortes (5-0).
Lynden 21 Sehome 19 LYN 0 7 7 7 - 21 SEH 6 0 6 7 - 19 SE - Wright 1 run (pass failed) LYN - Heppner 5 run (Petz kick) LYN - Heeringa 1 run (Petz kick) SE - Watson 52 punt return (pass failed) LYN - Heeringa 9 run (Petz kick) SE - Watson 12 pass from Wright (Evans kick) LYN SEH 32-154 Rush Att-Yards 32-156 2-12-1 Comp-Att-Int 19-32-1 52 Passing Yards 164 Individual Leaders RUSHING - LYN: Heeringa 12-56, Hermanutz 6-46, Heppner 9-36, Petz 1-9, Nolte 4-7. SEH: Funk 16-101, Neff 6-34, Wright 9-16, Watson 1-5. PASSING - LYN: Hermanutz 0-7-1-0, Heppner 2-5-0-52. SEH: Wright 19-32-1-164. RECEIVING - LYN: Anker 2-52. SEH: Watson 7-71, Duckworth 5-53, Neff 5-27, Malo 1-10, Funk 1-3.
