THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Quarter by quarter recap

First quarter recap

Lynden receives the opening kickoff, and Josh Kraght hits John Shine on a slant route for 16 yards on a third-and-8, then Zach Vis for 17 yards on the next play to Tumwater's 47. Luke Christianson takes a carry around the left end for 17 yards down to the Thunderbirds' 13-yard line, but a sack by Tumwater's David Durden forces Lynden's Alex Otano-Guenther to make a 36-yard field goal that gives the Lions an early lead. Tumwater quarterback Jayden Croft hits Andrew Brown for a 37-yard pass, moving the ball to Lynden's 35, but on a fourth-and-4, the Lions stuff T-Birds' running back Tyrus Snow for no gain. On the first play after the turnover, Kraght connects with Vis on a go-route for a 71-yard touchdown strike. Tumwater running back Christian Cummings runs 16 yards around the right end to the T-Birds' 49, but the drive stalls and Tumwater punts. The Thunderbirds get on the board when Durden intercepts a Kraght slant pass from his linebacker position and returns it 20 yards for a touchdown. Kraght runs 16 yards to Lions' 49 on their first set of downs after the turnover, but Tumwater forces a Lynden punt the following series. On the first play of Tumwater's drive, Brown fumbles a handoff exchange, and Kraght jumps on the loose ball to give the Lions possession at the Thunderbirds' 18. Lynden moves the ball to Tumwater's 9 to end the quarter.

Lions' first-quarter star: Zach Vis, senior, wide receiver/defensive back

Vis hauled in Lynden's touchdown - a 71-yard catch and run down the left sideline to put the Lions up 10. He finished the quarter with two catches for 88 yards.

Second quarter recap

The Lions can't put the ball in the end zone and settle for an Otano-Guenther 29-yard field goal on fourth-and-goal from the Tumwater 11 to give Lynden a 13-7 lead. The Thunderbirds go three-and-out on their ensuing possession, and the Lions take over on their own 30. Kraght runs up the middle for 13 yards to Lynden's 43, then hits Dak Shagren for five yards to the Lions' 48 before Vis hauls in a 34-yard pass that takes the Lions down to Tumwater's 19. On a fourth-and-3 from the T-Birds' 12, Kraght connects with Shagren on a 4-yard out pattern for a first down. Kraght plunges in from the 1 to complete a 10-play, 70-yard drive, putting Lynden up 20-7. Lynden tries an onside kick after a Tumwater penalty during the PAT moved the kickoff to Tumwater's 45, but the onside attempt fails. A defensive facemask cancels out a Brown fumble and Shagren recovery on the first play of the drive. Andrew Brown catches a 12-yard pass from Croft to give Tumwater its first first down since early in the first quarter, moving the ball inside to the Lions' 46. On a fourth-and-7 from the Lynden 44, Vis makes a bone-jarring hit on Tumwater receiver Gabe Gleizes to give the ball back to Lynden. The Lions take over on their own 44. Kraght caps off a five-play, 56-yard drive with an 11-yard middle screen pass to Vis for his second TD of the game. Lynden leads 27-7. Tumwater manages one first down on its next possession, but the Lions' defense forces another punt. Shagren can't hang on to a Kraght pass down the middle in the final minute of the half, as the Lions are driving and the pass is intercepted. Tumwater takes a knee to end the half.

Lions' second-quarter star: Jaremy Martin, junior, tight end/linebacker

Lynden's defense held Tumwater scoreless in the first half, holding star running back Andrew Brown to four yards rushing. Martin recorded a team-high five solo tackles and one assisted tackle. The Thunderbirds averaged 2.47 yards per carry in first two quarters.

Third quarter recap

Tumwater receives the opening-half kickoff, and goes three-and-out after a big hit by Jose Martinez creates a fumble and a 10-yard loss. Lynden takes over at its 20, and Kraght finds Shine down the right sideline on the first play for a 45-yard reception. On a third-and-18, Kraght connects with Vis for an 18-yard completion down to Tumwater's 25 to keep the drive alive. After a holding penalty backs the Lions up, Kraght passes to Trent Postma for 24 yards, and Postma runs for 16 on the next play to take the ball to the Thunderbirds' 2. Kraght hits Shagren for a 2-yard TD pass. Lynden pushes its lead to 34-7, and it's all Lions to start the third. Tumwater begins on its own 27, and moves the ball to Lynden's 29 after a 13-yard catch by Brown and a 15-yard penalty. Shine puts a halt to the drive by intercepting a pass from Croft in the end zone. He returns it to Lynden's 6, and the Lions take over. After a 9-yard run by Postma, Kraght goes deep to Vis again - this time netting a 56-yard pass play. Vis is up to 244 receiving yards. On a fourth-and-8 from the Tumwater 27, Kraght connects with Vis on a post pattern for his third TD of the game. Lynden leads 41-7 with 1:51 left in the third. The Thunderbirds take over at their 20 and move the ball to Lynden's 41 before the quarter ends.

Lions' third-quarter star: John Shine, senior, receiver/defensive back

Shine caught a key 45-yard pass from Kraght, which highlighted an 80-yard scoring drive. The senior also intercepted a pass from Croft in the end zone to preserve the defensive shutout.

Fourth quarter recap

Tumwater moves the ball to the Lions' 23, but a sack by Gabe Kaemingk puts the Thunderbirds behind the chains, and on a fourth-and-21, the T-Birds turn the ball over on downs. Lynden takes over at its own 34. Kraght leaves the game to a loud ovation from the Lynden crowd, and quarterback Cameron Wainwright comes in to replace the senior. Postma takes a couple carries for 5 yards, and Wainwright scampers for 2 before the Lions are forced to punt. Brown returns the ball 30 yards to the Lions' 33-yard line. The Thunderbirds methodically drive to the Lions' 9 and, on a fourth-and-1, Tumwater tight end Jamie Bryant drops a pass in the end zone. Lynden takes over on downs. The Lions substitute a lot of their No. 2s, and Lynden slowly works the ball down the field and eventually runs out the clock to end the game. The Lions capture their fifth state title in seven years and send off Lynden's seniors with another state title.

Lions' fourth-quarter star: Cameron Wainwright, quarterback

Wainwright gave Lynden a glimpse of what's in store for next season. The junior signal caller impressed, running the Lions' offense predominantly with back-ups in. He completed several nice passes.

Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.