LYNDEN – The Lions knew that being defending state champions, that they were going to get everyone’s best shot. They got one heck of a shot against the Cubs, but a 1-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Brant Heppner with 54 seconds left in the game secured the 24-21 Lynden victory over Sedro-Woolley on Friday night at Rollie DeKoster Field.
The two old-school teams provided one of the closest games in recent history. The Lions had 284 yards, and the Cubs had 279. Both teams completed over half of their passes, but neither team threw a ton. Both teams also had an interception, but Lynden senior kicker Troy Petz’s 43-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference in a very even matchup.
The Lions scored the first two touchdowns of the game, both on short runs by senior running back Lane Heeringa and the 6-foot-6 Heppner.
Sedro-Woolley scored on a 16-yard pass near the end of the second quarter, and Lynden led 14-7 at halftime. The Cubs also opened up the third quarter with a touchdown run to tie the game at 14.
Petz’ field goal came early in the fourth quarter to give Lynden a 17-14 lead, but Sedro-Woolley’s creative rushing attack with inside handoffs, dives and quarterback keepers led the Cubs down the field one last time, as junior quarterback Carsten Reynolds scored his second touchdown of the game with 5:21 left in the game.
This set up the 15-play 65-yard game winning touchdown drive, which was highlighted by a 4th-and-1 power run by Heppner at the Sedro-Woolley 45-yard line, and a 13-yard run by senior Campbell Nolte with the offensive line pushing him through the Cub defense for the final eight yards.
Sedro-Woolley’s final chance at the end was nullified when Reynolds’ pass was tipped by senior defensive back Cody Postma, and intercepted by Petz.
Lynden senior linebacker Chris Elenbaas led his team with 13.5 tackles, and Heeringa totaled 9.5 tackles and a sack.
The Lions (4-0) will try to remain undefeated when they travel to Sehome (3-1) this Friday to take on the Mariners at 7:00.
Lynden 24 Sedro-Woolley 21 SW 0 7 7 7 - 21 LYN 7 7 0 10 - 24 LYN - Heeringa 1 run (Petz kick) LYN - Heppner 2 run (Petz kick) SW - Lee 16 pass from Reynolds (kick good) SW - Reynolds 7 run (kick good) LYN - Petz 43 FG SW - Reynolds 4 run (kick good) LYN - Heppner 1 run (Petz kick) SW LYN 47-222 Rush Att-Yards 45-189 6-10-1 Comp-Att-Int 8-11-1 57 Passing Yards 94 Individual Leaders RUSHING - SW: N/A. LYN: Heppner 12-57, Heeringa 12-56, Hermanutz 10-42, Nolte 7-34. PASSING - SW: N/A. LYN: Hermanutz 5-7-1-57, Heppner 3-4-0-37. RECEIVING - SW: N/A. LYN: Stanley 4-66, Heeringa 2-14, Nolte 1-8, Petz 1-6.
