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closeLUMMI — Last year, the Lummi football team averaged 59.3 points per game and tied a national eight-man high school single-game record by scoring 118.
This year, the Blackhawks’ scoreboard won’t be the only thing getting illuminated — so will the football field. In mid-September permanent lights are scheduled to be installed at Lummi’s on-campus football field, allowing for games to be played on Friday nights.
“We’ve played some night games on the road before, but never at home,” Lummi coach Jim Sandusky said. “It will be a whole different atmosphere for these guys when they get to play at home under the lights. I think it’s something this community is really going to get behind. I think we’ll get more people out to games.” The Blackhawks’ first home night game will be played at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, against Pacific Coast League rival Neah Bay. An Oct. 17 game against Highland Christian and a 6 p.m. Oct. 24 game against Clallam Bay will also be played on Friday nights.
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Sept. 5, at Highland Christian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13, Tri-City Prep, 2 p.m.
Sept. 19, vs. St. John (at Othello), 4 p.m.
Sept. 26, Neah Bay, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4, at Lopez, 2 p.m.
Oct. 11, at Crescent*, 2 p.m.
Oct. 17, Highland Christian*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24, Clallam Bay*, 6 p.m.
Oct. 31, at Neah Bay*, 5 p.m.
Nov. 8, Lopez*, 2 p.m.
*PCL game
Before now, Lummi has played its home games in the light of day, usually on Saturday afternoons.
“We’ve talked about what it will be like,” senior receiver/defensive back Ray Jefferson said. “It will be like we’re one of the bigger schools — ‘Friday Night Lights.’”
Make no doubt about it, these Blackhawks deserve to be under that kind of spotlight.
The team has advanced to the state semifinals in each of the past three years and is looking for a fourth trip this season. Last year ended with an 80-50 semifinal loss to Almira-Coulee-Hartline.
But getting back to Tacoma is not enough for the Blackhawks this year.
“We’re going for it all,” senior offensive lineman/linebacker Lonnie James said. “We want to take home that state trophy. We’re pretty sure everyone else (in the state) does, too. But we want it really bad after getting so close the last three years.”
“A state title is all that is acceptable this year,” senior receiver/defensive back Gale Jefferson said. The Blackhawks appear to have a team capable of reaching that goal.
“I’d say there are four or five teams in the state (in Class 1B) that have to be considered among the favorites,” Sandusky said. “We’re definitely in that mix.”
One of the main reasons for Sandusky’s optimism is the return of quarterback Dustin Tom from last year’s 11-2 team.
While splitting time under center with Isaac Finkbonner last season, Tom threw for 2,315 yards and 35 touchdowns and was inter-cepted only three times. As the primary quarterback this year, those numbers only figure to increase.
“Dustin can play for any team in the state — eight-man or 11-man,” Sandusky said. “He’s got great athletic ability, he’s got a strong arm and he’s got a good feel for our offense.”
Helping with that feel is the familiarity he has with receivers Gale Jefferson and Ray Jefferson, who are also back this season.
“Ray, he’s fast,” Tom said. “Gale can catch anything.”
Gale Jefferson led the Blackhawks with 975 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns, while Ray Jefferson was second with 536 yards and nine TDs.
“It’s going to be exciting playing with those guys again,” Gale said of the senior passing trio. “I grew up with (Dustin). He knows where I’m going to be and when I’m going to be there. It’s kind of like everybody’s family.”
The same cannot be said of the Lummi running game, which needs to replace its top three rushers from last season.
Tom is the top returning back with 275 yards and 10 TDs on 73 attempts last season.
Sandusky said he has three talented backs on the roster in Andre Revey, Michael James and Ronomus Revey. Between the three of them, only Andre Revey saw varsity action last year, rushing for 94 yards and two touchdowns on four carries.
“All three of them will play a pivotal role for us at running back,” Sandusky said. “We’ll just have to see what role each of them settles into.”
They’ll be running behind a line that includes senior Nelson Montenegro, whom Sandusky said came on late last year and played well during the playoffs.
“We know we can still put points on the board,” Sandusky said. “But this summer we’ve been focusing a lot on defense and trying to make sure we can get key stops when we need to.”
James, an all-state defensive end as a sophomore who is coming off a knee injury last year, and Tom, who also plays linebacker, will play a key role if the Blackhawks are able to improve defensively.
“Mostly, we’re just doing what we’re supposed to do on defense and hit as hard as we can,” James said. If they can continue that throughout the season, perhaps Lummi will win the first state title in school history.
“We’ve been knocking on the door,” Ray Jefferson said. “It’s about time we kick it down. We really want that state trophy.”
Reach David Rasbach at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com.
Three keys to the success
1. Improved defensive play
Though they scored nearly at will through most of the season, the Blackhawks allowed 30.7 points per game on defense. They surrendered 57.0 points per game in their two losses. Summer practices have focused heavily on getting defensive stops, Coach Jim Sandusky said. The return of Lonnie James — an all-state defensive end from two years ago — from knee injury, an experienced secondary and Dustin Tom at linebacker should help Lummi improve.
2. Quickly establishing a running game
With Tom returning at quarterback and the Jeffersons (Ray and Gale) back as primary receivers, the Blackhawks are set in the passing game. But after losing their top three running backs from last season, Lummi must quickly re-establish its ground attack. Sandusky feels he has a trio of talented backs and just needs to find our what role each will play in the offense.
3. Stay focused and healthy
Lummi should have the talent on its roster, but keeping it ready to play will be a key factor in determining how deep the Blackhawks go. James and the Jeffersons all said it will be up to the seniors to keep everybody focused on the team’s ultimate goal — claiming a state championship. After three straight seasons of making it to the Tacoma Dome, anything short of that lofty goal will be difficult for some of the seniors to accept.
Players to watch
Dustin Tom
Sr., QB/LB
The quiet leader will be take over the full-time quarterback duties and play a vital role in the middle of the Blackhawks defense.
Lonnie James
Sr., OL/DE
The former all-state performer is back after a knee injury interrupted his junior season. He will play a big part in any defensive improvement.
Gale Jefferson
Sr., WR/DB
Led the Blackhawks in receiving last year with 975 yards and 11 TDs. Will be asked to continue that and should be a leader in the secondary.
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