LYNDEN - Before a late-season offensive surge in their final three games of the 2011 season, the Lynden Christian football team averaged just a little more than a touchdown (7.3 points) in their first seven games.
"Last year, we didn't have many weapons," coach Galen Kaemingk said. "We'd come up to the ball, and there'd be nine guys right there, waiting for us to snap it. We couldn't get the ball to the outside. We could throw a little bit, but we just couldn't get the ball outside. They weren't worrying about us running to the outside or anything like that."
Opponents better start worrying in 2012.
Not only are the Lyncs reacting quicker in the second season under Kaemingk, there is just a lot more speed on the roster.
"We have a big sophomore group," Kaemingk said. "Last year as freshmen, they kind of took their lumps because they had to play a lot of JV teams. This year, I think we're going to get a lot of help from those kids, because they have a lot of speed and they've been working hard. The whole group has been working hard. Overall, I think we have a lot better team speed."
LC returns its top two receivers in Truman Van Dalen and Levi Vander Yacht. Starting quarterback Isaac Reimer also is back, and he's bigger, stronger and should be a bigger factor in the run game.
Reimer will be joined in the backfield by junior Josh Friberg and sophomores Dalton Biehle, Jordan Jansen and Nathan Rusnak and senior fullback Will Scholten.
"The backfield and the receivers - we have plenty of talent and a lot more speed," Kaemingk said. "There is plenty of speed and some good depth, which will allow us to rotate guys and keep them fresh to play defense too."
Depth, unfortunately, is not a strong suit on the offensive line, though, and neither is size. Blake Te Velde is the only returning senior starter, though Wyatt Jansen is a senior that moves up from JV and Joe Kooiman played quite a bit as a sophomore last year.
"We're smaller, but we're quicker on the line," Kaemingk said. "We have a couple guys that are working really hard to get their bodies in condition, and we're going to need that so that they can go both ways, and we can't afford injuries. ... I wouldn't even say we need to dominate up front. They can just get in people's way, and we'll have enough speed to move the ball around."
Speed should also help the Lyncs improve on special teams and defense, where the linebacking crew should be a strength with guys like Reimer, Jansen and Blake Mellema. Van Dalen, Vander Yacht and Daulton Hommes also should be strong in the secondary.
"I feel more comfortable this year, and I think the kids feel more comfortable," Kaemingk said. "A lot of these kids got used to having success on the basketball court, and now we want to have some success this fall."
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
LEVI VANDER YACHT
Sr. WR/DB
Vander Yacht led the Lyncs with 460 yards receiving and three TDs last year, and will be a big part of their speedy resurgence this year.
ISAAC REIMER
Sr. QB/LB
Reimer has plenty of quick targets this year and should factor into the running game a little more with his bigger, stronger frame.
BLAKE TE VELDE
Sr. OL/DL
The only returning senior starter up front for the Lyncs, Te Velde will be asked to help a younger, smaller group mesh together and work hard to stay in top condition.
THREE KEYS TO THE SEASON
1. Crank it up offensively
Last year, the Lyncs were shut out twice and held to single digits three other times in the first seven games. With more speedy weapons, their offensive output should improve.
2. Tighten things up defensively
The improved speed also should help on defense, where injuries forced LC to shuffle its lineup a number of times and the Lyncs allowed an average of 40.5 points per game.
3. Stay healthy
Yes, it can be said for just about any team, but it's particularly important for Lynden Christian with only 44 players out and a lack depth and size up front.
2012 SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 at Omak 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Friday Harbor 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 14 Coupeville 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 Anacortes 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Blaine* 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 Mount Baker* 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Nooksack Valley* 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Meridian* 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 Friday Harbor* 6 p.m.
*NWC 1A game
2011 RESULTS (2-8, 0-5 NWC, 1-5 NWC 1A)
Sehome L 34-14
at Lakewood L 48-3
Nooksack Valley* L 40-0
at Meridian* L 52-6
at Friday Harbor* L 40-20
at Nooksack Valley* L 42-8
Meridian* L 47-0
Friday Harbor* W 36-35
CLASS 1A NORTHWEST DISTRICT PLAYOFFS
at Nooksack Valley L 39-23
NON-PLAYOFF CROSSOVER
Chimacum W 30-28
*NWC 1A game
2011 STATS LEADERS
RUSHING Att. Yards Avg. TD
Caleb Park 93 466 5.0 8
William Kok 70 147 2.1 1
Will Scholten* 35 123 3.5 1
PASSING Cmp. Att. Yards TD Int.
Isaac Reimer* 91 183 1,306 7 14
RECEIVING Rec. Yards Avg. TD
Levi Vander Yacht* 36 460 12.8 3
Truman Van Dalen* 21 367 17.5 2
Chad Heerspink 13 243 18.7 2
*Returning player
2012 ROSTER
No. Player Yr. Pos.
1 Brady Havey Sr. WR/DB
2 Taiji Van Dalen Fr. WR/DB
8 Trevor Kamena Jr. K
9 Daulton Hommes So. QB/DB
10 Truman Van Dalen Sr. WR/DB
11 Levi Vander Yacht Sr. WR/DB
12 Ty Vander Yacht So. WR/DB
15 Lucas Roetcisoender Fr. QB/LB
16 Zach Roetcisoender Fr. RB/LB
17 Tanner Kope Fr. QB/DB
19 Isaac Reimer Sr. QB/DB
20 Josh Friberg Jr. RB/LB
22 Nathan Rusnak So. RB/DB
24 Kaden Bratt So. WR/DB
26 Tanner Bouma Fr. WR/DB
28 Dalton Biehle So. RB/DB
31 Jordan Jansen So. RB/LB
32 Colby Bouma Jr. WR/DB
33 Jake Van Berkum So. RB/LB
35 Josh Hornstra Jr. TE/DL
43 Conor Nordstrom Sr. WR/DB
48 Will Scholten Sr. RB/LB
50 Daniel Doucet Fr. OL/DL
51 Joe Kooiman Jr. OL/DL
52 Nolan Greenough Fr. OL/DL
54 Cole Stump So. OL/DL
56 Dillon Carhuff Sr. OL/LB
58 Jeff Hamstra So. OL/DL
60 Sebastian Canfield So. OL/DL
62 Eric Vree Fr. OL/DL
65 Sam Vander Griend So. OL/DL
68 Brandon Brockmeyer So. OL/DL
71 Terrel Brown So. OL/DL
73 Blake Te Velde Sr. OL/DL
76 Sam Mumford So. OL/DL
77 Wyatt Jansen Sr. OL/DL
78 Anthony Anker Jr. OL/DL
80 Alex Vander Velden So. WR/DB
82 Nate Hielkema Fr. TE/DL
84 Josh Heutink So. TE/DL
86 Blake Mellema So. QB/LB
87 Jake Poag Fr. TE/LB
88 Kyle Tiemersma Fr. RB/DL
89 Jevin Holleman Fr. RB/LB
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
