NOOKSACK - The Nooksack Valley football team couldn't have asked for a better beginning to their 51-16 homecoming win against Lynden Christian on Friday, Oct. 12.

Trey Handy returned the opening kickoff 92 yards and gave the Pioneers the early lead in the Northwest Conference game.

Lynden Christian tied the game shortly after on a 16-yard Levi Vander Yacht touchdown reception. The Lyncs recovered the onside kick and scored on a 25-yard Trevor Kamena field goal on the next drive.

Nooksack Valley would then score 36 unanswered points.

"We really have been out-physicaled the last two weeks and we wanted to set the tone," Nooksack Valley coach Robb Myhre said. "The first half we didn't get some of the breaks but we were always aggressive. In the second we were able to get things going, but we were trying to stay aggressive the whole time."

The Pioneer defense forced a punt, two interceptions and a fumble on Lynden Christian's next four drives to prevent the Lyncs from scoring again until the fourth quarter.

"Our defense picked it up," Nooksack quarterback Tanner Myhre said. "It was a great rebound game; We needed that."

Tanner had one interception on defense but had more of an effect on the Pioneer offense.

"He didn't pass a whole lot tonight but he ran the ball really hard," Robb Myhre said. "He lowered his shoulder and ran with power. It really built momentum and set the tone that we are gonna go hard."

Tanner was 19-158 with a touchdown and threw 5 of 13 for 61 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Lynden Christian scored their second touchdown with 6 minutes left in the game on a 15-yard reception by Truman Van Dalen.

"We just need to get better," Lynden Christian coach Galen Kaemingk said. "I don't even want to know how many penalties and turnovers we had, but I give Nooksack credit, they executed in the rain."

Lynden Christian had 75 yards in penalties and six turnovers.

The Pioneers improve to 4-3, 1-2 NWC and will play at Friday Harbor on Friday, Oct. 19, when Lynden Christian (3-4, 0-3 NWC) will play at Meridian.

Lynden Christain 10 0 0 6- 16

Nooksack Valley 7 6 8 27- 51

First quarter

NV - Trey Handy 92 kickoff return (Conner Beard kick)

LC - Levi Vander Yacht 16 pass from Isaac Reimer (Trevor Kamena kick)

LC - Edgar Zavala 25 FG

Second quarter

NV - Tanner Myhre 4 run (kick fail)

NV - Ethan Vinup 35 FG

Third quarter

NV - Levi Schram 14 run (Myhre run good)

Fourth quarter

NV - Bret Rediger 5 run (Beard kick)

NV - Handy 31 pass from Myhre (Beard kick)

NV - Bret Rediger 17 run (kick fail)

LC - Truman Van Dalen 15 pass from Daulton Hommes (pass fail)

NV - Tanner Klemann 1 run (Ethan Vinup PAT good)

LC NV

First downs 8 15

Rushing Att-Yards 28-44 38-302

Comp-Att-Int 9-24-4 7-15-1

Passing yards 112 84

Penalties-yards 12-75 8-58

Fumbles-lost 2-2 3-1

Individual leaders

RUSHING - LC: Josh Friberg 7-13, Isaac Reimer 3-(-9), Blake Mellema 7-13, Jordan Jansen 5-12, Dalton Biehle 6-15. NV: Tanner Myhre 19-158, Bret Rediger 7-75, Trey Handy 3-21, Levi Schram 4-24, Tanner Klemann 3-34, Joe McNeely 2-(-10).

PASSING - LC: Isaac Reimer 7-18-3-76, Daulton Hommes 2-6-1-36. NV: Tannder Myhre 5-13-1-61, Bret Rediger 2-2-0-23.

RECEIVING - LC: Levi Vander Yacht 2-23, Truman Van Dalen 2-20, Josh Hornstra 5-69. NV: Tanner Myhre 1-23, Curtis Handy 2-17, Joey Scheffer 1-2, Trey Handy 3-42.