BY MAKAYLA SPARKS – For Whatcom Preps
POULSBO – All good things must come to an end. After dominating in the playoffs for the past two years, the fifth-ranked Lynden Lions were bested by the fourth-ranked North Kitsap Vikings in a rematch of last year’s 2A state title game.
The game was stretched into overtime but the Lions ultimately fell to the Vikings 34-28 on Saturday afternoon at North Kitsap Stadium.
Both 2A powers struggled to get things going early. The first plays of significance came on traded turnovers just over halfway through the first quarter.
Lynden senior safety Zach Welch intercepted a North Kitsap pass but the Vikings recovered a fumble forty seconds later and regained possession. Two minutes later, they scored on a five-yard pass, taking a 7-0 lead.
The Lions were quick to respond as junior quarterback Brant Heppner connected with senior wide receiver Brady Elsner who abandoned his defender and raced 62 yards into the end zone, tying the game at 7-7.
Lynden senior cornerback Cooper Moore picked off another Viking pass attempt to give his team the ball heading into the second quarter. The ensuing drive concluded with a one-yard rushing touchdown from Heppner and the Lions took their first lead of the game, 14-7.
North Kitsap continued to battle with the Lynden defensive unit as Lion senior linebacker Charlie Ayres grabbed a Viking’s pass and set his team up to score for a third time in the first half. Heppner found sophomore wide receiver Dani Bowler deep in Vikings territory and Bowler took the ball 74 yards to the house.
North Kitsap managed to score on a 10-yard pass with 11 seconds to go into the first half and the two teams headed into the locker rooms with Lynden out in front 21-14.
After blocking a Lion punt, the Vikings tied the game up at 21-21 on a nine-yard passing touchdown midway through the third quarter.
The Lions responded by going deep yet again. Bowler hauled in a pass from Heppner and bolted 65 yards for a touchdown. Lynden regained the lead, 28-21.
The Vikings scored early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 28-28 and an interception stalled the Lion offense, forcing the teams into overtime.
North Kitsap received the ball first and managed to score, but left the door open on a missed extra point attempt. However, the glimpse of hope was quickly diminished when the Vikings intercepted Lynden’s passing attempt and ended the game with the Lions trailing 34-21.
The Lynden Lions concluded their season with an 8-3 record.
North Kitsap 34 Lynden 28 LYN 7 14 7 0 0 - 28 NK 7 7 7 7 6 - 34 NK - 5 yard touchdown pass (kick good) LYN - Elsner 62 pass from Heppner (Koenen kick) LYN - Heppner 1 run (Koenen kick) LYN - Bowler 74 pass from Heppner (Koenen kick) NK - 10 yard touchdown pass (kick good) NK - 9 yard touchdown pass (kick good) LYN - Bowler 65 pass from Heppner (Koenen kick) NK - 6 yard touchdown run (kick good) NK - 2 yard touchdown run (kick failed) LYN NK 26-79 Rush Att-Yards 37-108 15-25-2 Comp-Att-Int 20-29-3 336 Passing Yards 214 Individual Leaders RUSHING - LYN: Heppner 12-35, M. Assink 10-33, Ayres 4-11. NK: N/A. PASSING - LYN: Heppner 15-25-2-336. NK: N/A. RECEIVING - LYN: Elsner 6-126, Bowler 5-171, Moore 3-34, Ayres 1-5. NK: N/A.
