PUYALLUP – When 6-foot-6 sophomore quarterback Brant Heppner scored on his third touchdown from a yard out with one minute to go in the game, it broke a 24-24 tie and secured a state championship for the Lions who defeated North Kitsap 31-24 at Carl Sparks Stadium on Saturday night.
However, it was numerous big plays that led to Heppner’s touchdown, including three fourth-down conversions, all on passes from Heppner to senior wide receiver Isaiah Stanley, on the final drive that lasted 19 plays and traveled 80 yards.
“I love these kids, they’re amazing,” an elated Blake VanDalen said immediately following the game. “13-0 tells you that we know how to get it done when it’s time to answer the bell.”
Indeed, as Lynden, along with Napavine (2B) and Yelm (3A), were the only three teams in the entire state that finished the season without a loss.
The Vikings had all the momentum early as they recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff, and eventually settled for a 19-yard field goal by senior Diego DeLuna. Just three plays from scrimmage later, North Kitsap junior Logan Sloman intercepted a pass, and the Vikings were in business once again.
Lynden kept its composure, and regained the momentum quickly when senior Collin Anker flew off the edge on the Vikings’ second field goal attempt of the game to block the kick. It bounced once on the turf and right into the hands of Lynden senior Troy Petz who outraced everyone 67 yards for a touchdown.
Petz then hit on a 23-yard field goal early in the second quarter to give the Lions a full touchdown lead.
Lynden then drove 89 yards to end the first half, which culminated with a 1-yard touchdown run by Heppner as the first half expired.
The Vikings came out inspired in the second half, and put together a strong scoring drive the ended with a 4-yard touchdown run by senior Benen Lawler.
On the ensuing kickoff it was Petz that showed his amazing speed once again as he scored on a 99-yard kickoff return, but a block in the back nullified the touchdown and Lynden took over at the Viking 17-yard line. Three plays later Heppner connected with Stanley to get down to the 1-yard line, and Heppner punched it in on the following play to give the Lions a 24-10 lead.
North Kitsap scored once again as its passing game began to click a little bit, and Lawler’s second touchdown of the game closed the gap to 24-17. The Vikings then clamped down on defense and forced Lynden to punt it away, and North Kitsap regained the ball to begin the fourth quarter down by a touchdown.
Strong runs by Lawler, coupled with dynamic receiving plays by Sloman, got the Vikings to the Lion 5-yard line. North Kitsap then tied the game on a looping swing pass to the left side from quarterback Cole Edwards to Lawler, who danced into the end zone for his third touchdown.
That set up the heroic Lynden drive to close out the game. The Lions converted on 4th-and-4 from their own 46-yard line, 4th-and-10 from the North Kitsap 46-yard line, and on 4th-and-5 from the Viking 28-yard line. The run-heavy Lions, as previously noted, converted all of them on passes to Stanley who finished the game with seven receptions for 70 yards. Stanley also finished his tremendous career with 108 catches, tied for 15th most in Whatcom County history.
The Lynden defense was led by inside linebacker Lane Heeringa who had eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and a half tackle for loss. The Lions also got a huge contribution from senior outside linebacker Gabe Oudman who chipped in with five tackles, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
Lynden 31 North Kitsap 24 NK 3 0 14 7 - 24 LYN 7 10 7 7 - 31 NK - DeLuna 19 FG LYN - Petz 67 blocked field goal return (Smiley kick) LYN - Petz 23 FG LYN - Heppner 1 run (Petz kick) NK - Lawler 4 run (DeLuna kick) LYN - Heppner 1 run (Petz kick) NK - Lawler 1 run (DeLuna kick) NK - Lawler 5 pass from Edwards (DeLuna kick) LYN - Heppner 1 run (Petz kick)
NK LYN 35-106 Rush Att-Yards 39-88 15-23-0 Comp-Att-Int 15-22-1 159 Passing Yards 176 Individual Leaders RUSHING - NK: N/A. LYN: Heeringa 17-51, Heppner 13-31, Nolte 8-9, Hermanutz 1-(-3). PASSING - NK: N/A. LYN: Heppner 15-21-0-176, Hermanutz 0-1-1-0. RECEIVING - NK: N/A. LYN: Stanley 7-70, Petz 3-66, Nolte 3-10, Moore 2-30.
