BY MAKAYLA SPARKS – For Whatcom Preps
LYNDEN – If you had watched the first quarter of Lynden Christian’s home matchup against Lakeside-Nine Mile Falls on Saturday and seen just six points scored, the last thing you would be expecting was a 34-6 score at the half. But, if there was one consistency in this game, it was expecting the unexpected as the Lyncs downed the Eagles, 49-14.
After getting an early stop on defense, Lynden Christian marched down the field and scored first. Senior running back Mick Owen scurried into the end zone from four yards out with just over seven minutes of play to go in the first quarter.
The Eagles didn’t let the score go easy, faking a punt at midfield on their next drive. The fake punt turned into a rushing play that collected enough yards to convert the first down and sway the momentum.
Lakeside continued to move down the field and on yet another fourth down, they aired one out for their receivers in the corner of the end zone. The ball, however, would fall to the ground and the Lyncs gained possession with no damage done.
As the second quarter began, it felt like this game was going to be a slow one for action but little did the crowd know, the Lyncs were just getting started. Senior safety Jayden Huleatt stepped in front of an Eagles pass attempt to grab what would be the first of three LC interceptions in a three and half minute span. A minute and half later, Owen rushed into the end zone from 23 yards out for 12-0 Lync lead.
Less than 20 seconds later, junior linebacker Gunnar DeKoster grabbed the second interception. Under a minute later, Owen scored on another rush, this time from six yards away.
Another 50 seconds later, junior defensive back Jacob Penner hauled in the ball for the last of the trio of interceptions.
With the action seemingly slowing down again, junior quarterback Eli Maberry found senior tight end Trey Bosman for a 34 yard touchdown pass.
With just a minute and half left to go in the first half, Lakeside mishandled the ensuing kickoff and LC recovered it. A mere eight seconds after the clock had stopped for his previous touchdown pass, Mayberry threw one up for junior receiver Boyce Robertson, who took it to the house on a 40-yard touchdown reception.
The Eagles scored their first touchdown of the game with 36 seconds left in the first half but a blocked kick on the extra point attempt, limited them to just six points, making the halftime score 34-6.
The Eagles prevented the Lyncs from scoring to start the third quarter. But after gaining possession of the ball, a quarterback sack by sophomore outside linebacker Kaden Veldman on 3rd down resulted in a 4th-and-22 near their own goal line.
The snap on the following play was mishandled by the punter and junior Treyson Johnson powered through the Lakewide blockers and swatted the ball away and out of the back of the end zone. The play was ruled a safety and LC added another two points to their side of the scoreboard.
Four minutes later, Maberry connected with Huleatt for a 12 yard passing touchdown and a 43-6 lead in favor of the Lyncs.
Maberry completed 24 passes in the game, which resulted in a new school record for pass completions in a single game.
The Lakeside finally got a positive play as the returned the subsequent kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, ending the scoring in the third quarter.
Lynden Christian sophomore running back Chris Kooiman powered into the end zone with under three minutes to go in the game for a final Lyncs touchdown. Moments later, junior cornerback Jaxon Huleatt forced and recovered a fumble on defense to secure his team the 49-14 victory.
The Lyncs (2-2) will open up conference play on the road this Friday when they take on Blaine (4-0) at 7:00.
Lynden Christian 49 Lakeside-NMF 14 LAK 0 6 8 0 - 14 LC 6 28 9 6 - 49 LC - M. Owen 3 run (kick failed) LC - M. Owen 23 run (pass failed) LC - M. Owen 6 run (Robertson pass from Maberry) LC - Bosman 34 pass from Maberry (Penner kick) LC - Robertson 40 pass from Maberry (Penner kick) LAK - 18 yard touchdown pass (kick blocked) LC - Safety, ball fumbled through back of end zone LC - Jay. Huleatt 12 pass from Maberry (Stipkala kick) LAK - 92 yard kickoff return touchdown (2pt run good) LC - Kooiman 6 run (kick blocked) LAK LC 26-11 Rush Att-Yards 39-138 12-27-3 Comp-Att-Int 24-30-1 140 Passing Yards 280 Individual Leaders RUSHING - LAK: N/A. LC: M. Owen 21-74, Kooiman 7-36, Larson 4-20, Johnson 1-5, Stamps 1-3, Maberry 5-0. PASSING - LAK: N/A. LC: Maberry 24-30-1-280. RECEIVING - LAK: N/A. LC: Robertson 6-133, Blair 6-41, Jay. Huleatt 3-22, Bosman 2-54, M. Owen 2-19, Jax. Huleatt 2-10, Larson 1-4, Penner 1-(-1), Johnson 1-(-2).
