BY MAKAYLA SPARKS – For Whatcom Preps
BELLINGHAM – It was a surprisingly warm afternoon on Saturday at Civic Stadium where the crowd wasn’t limited to just enjoying the nice weather, but also an action-packed football game. The high-scoring affair ended with the Sehome Mariners defeating the Lynden Christian Lyncs 47-25.
After the Lyncs punted to start the game, the Mariners looked at a fourth down just outside the red zone.
Junior quarterback Nolan Wright threw the ball up for senior receiver Andre Watson, who charged into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown reception and the game’s first score. Wright scurried into the end zone for the two-point conversation and Sehome held an early 8-0 lead.
The Mariner defense then forced a turnover on downs and Wright did it again. He again found Watson, this time on a 41-yard touchdown pass as the first-quarter clock ran out.
LC responded, moving quickly down the field before junior quarterback Eli Maberry connected with junior receiver Boyce Robertson on a 21-yard touchdown reception. The extra point was good and the Lyncs shrunk the scoring gap to 15-7.
As the LC defense halted the Sehome offense near its end zone, the Mariners sent in senior kicker Grady Evens to attempt a 31-yard field goal. The ball skimmed through the corner of the goalposts and another three points were added to Sehome’s total.
A little over two minutes later, Wright powered into the end zone from a yard away for the only rushing touchdown from either team, and the Mariners were ahead 25-7.
Sehome junior safety, Hudson Neff stepped in front of a deep Lyncs pass attempt, picking it off as the half ended.
Having not actually gained possession on the previous interception, the Mariner defense started where they had left off, picking off another LC pass. This time, Evans was the recipient of the Lyncs turnover.
Sehome, however, was unable to convert the interception into points and LC would score first in the second half. Senior Mick Owen received the carry and he rumbled 20 yards to the house to make the score 25-13 in favor of Sehome.
With just under a minute to go in the third quarter, Wright connected with 6-foot-4 junior Theo Quiggle for a 13-yard touchdown pass and a 32-13 lead.
The Lyncs answered back 18 seconds later. Mayberry linked up with Robertson for a 65-yard touchdown pass and closed the score to 32-19 with 36 seconds left in the third quarter.
Shortly into the final quarter of play, Wright found Watson for their third touchdown connection of the game and they linked up again on the two-point conversion, tacking another eight points to their lead.
Watson finished the game with nine receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns, and he now stands alone as Whatcom County’s all-time leader in receptions, with 168.
Maberry and Robertson hooked up on one last Lyncs touchdown a minute and 11 seconds later. Robertson hauled in the pass and took it 35 yards to the end zone, upping the LC side of the scoreboard.
However, with three and a half minutes left in the game, Wright completed his fifth touchdown pass of the game, this time to Quiggle. The 15-yard pass put Sehome in front 47-25, which is what the scoreboard read when the final buzzer went off.
The Mariners (4-2) will battle Bellingham (1-5) on Friday at Civic Stadium, and the Lyncs (3-3) will host Mount Baker (4-2) on Friday at 7:00.
Sehome 47 Lynden Christian 25 LC 0 7 12 6 - 25 SEH 15 10 7 15 - 47 SEH - Watson 22 pass from Wright (Wright run) SEH - Watson 41 pass from Wright (Evans kick) LC - Robertson 21 pass from Maberry (Penner kick) SEH - Evans 31 FG SEH - Wright 1 run (Evans kick) LC - M. Owen 20 run (kick blocked) SEH - Quiggle 13 pass from Wright (Evans kick) LC - Robertson 65 pass from Maberry (run failed) SEH - Watson 31 pass from Wright (Watson pass from Wright) LC - Robertson 35 pass from Maberry (run failed) SEH - Quiggle 15 pass from Wright (Evans kick) LC SEH 24-110 Rush Att-Yards 34-114 17-26-2 Comp-Att-Int 19-33-0 272 Passing Yards 322 Individual Leaders RUSHING - LC: H. Owen 8-38, Kooiman 2-22, M. Owen 3-21, Johnson 7-17, Maberry 4-12. SEH: McAlister 13-53, Wright 7-30, Smith 11-25, Watson 1-1. PASSING - LC: Maberry 17-26-2-272. SEH: Wright 19-33-0-322. RECEIVING - LC: Robertson 8-162, Bosman 3-31, Penner 3-27, Hintz 2-15, Jay. Huleatt 1-37. SEH: Watson 9-159, Quiggle 8-129, Goodman 1-28, Evans 1-6.
