BELLINGHAM – After an evenly matched first half, Lynden Christian poured it on in the second half and defeated the Trojans 38-14 on Friday night.
Meridian’s ball control offense to begin the game limited the big-play ability of the Lyncs in the first half, and the Trojans ran 15 more plays for 40 more yards than LC in the first two quarters. Even though both teams scored on passing touchdowns, a 32-yard field goal by Lynden Christian’s Eli Den Bleyker game the Lyncs a 10-6 lead at the break.
With the extra-long half-time due to the Homecoming festivities, perhaps the Lyncs all-time winningest coach Dan Kaemingk had extra time to develop some wrinkles in the original game plan. I’m not exactly sure if that’s what happened, but LC looked like a different team after halftime.
Wide receiver Jackson Corkill scored on a one-yard end around for a touchdown to begin the third quarter. The touchdown was set up by a deep pass from Trajan Schouten to Tanner Feenstra. Corkill showed his big-time speed on the next possession when he ran a post-pattern from his slot position. There was no safety help over the top, and Corkill beat his one-on-one coverage as Schouten tossed it right between the 1 and the 3 on Corkill’s chest, and the senior speedster did the rest, and scored a 72-yard touchdown.
Corkill finished the game with four receptions for 128 yards, and four carries for 29 yards.
Senior running back Levi Korthuis scored on a 32-yard pass from Logan Dykstra, when the 6-foot-4 backup quarterback found Korthuis who had snuck out of the backfield and ran right down the middle of the field. Korthuis’ back up Cody Bajema then scored on a 21-yard touchdown run, on his first varsity career carry. Korthuis led the Lyncs in rushing last season, but a new role in 2019 has put him all over the field, including catching more passes and starting at defensive end.
Meridian quarterback Cameron Webster threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns, but was hindered by three interceptions. Senior running back Trent Martin led the Trojans in rushing with 62 yards on 11 carries, and senior wide receiver Ryan Johnson caught six passes for 74 yards.
The Lynden Christian pass rush was strong all game, with Zach Sipma and Grant Vander Velden combining for 4.5 sacks. Sipma also led his team in overall tackles and blocked an extra point. Will Faber, Jude Veltkamp and Cole Moorlag all had interceptions.
The Trojans were led defensively by senior outside linebacker Joseph Plagerman who was in on 12 tackles, and senior defensive end Jon Boger who registered a pair of sacks.
The Lyncs (4-1) will try to redeem their only loss of the season this Friday by traveling to Deming to take on Mount Baker (6-0). Meridian (1-5) will travel to Nooksack Valley (2-4) on Friday and battle the Pioneers.
Lynden Christian 38
Meridian 14
LC 3 7 14 14 – 38
MER 0 6 0 8 – 14
LC – Den Bleyker 32 FG
MER – Lanuza 20 pass from Webster (kick blocked)
LC – Bouwman 15 pass from Dykstra (Den Bleyker kick)
LC – Corkill 1 run (Den Bleyker kick)
LC – Corkill 72 pass from Schouten (Den Bleyker kick)
LC – Korthuis 32 pass from Dykstra (Den Bleyker kick)
LC – Bajema 21 run (Den Bleyker kick)
MER – Lanuza 20 pass from Webster (Webster run)
LC MER
28-164 Rushing Att-Yards 31-84
12-27-1 Comp-Att-Int 18-34-3
274 Passing yards 192
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – LC: Dykstra 6-48, Corkill 4-29, Da. Bootsma 3-25, Bajema 1-21, Schouten 6-19, Stremler 6-18, Moorlag 1-7, Korthuis 1-(-3). MER: Martin 11-62, Webster 16-24, Lanuza 2-0, Anderson 2-(-2).
PASSING – LC: Schouten 8-21-1-189, Dykstra 4-6-0-85. MER: Webster 18-33-3-192, Johnson 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING – LC: Corkill 4-128, Feenstra 4-61, Moorlag 1-32, Korthuis 1-32, Bouwman 1-15, Stremler 1-6. MER: Lanuza 7-73, Johnson 6-74, Martin 3-22, Watt 1-14, E. Brooks 1-9.
