PREP FOOTBALL: Lynden falls at ATM

"The way the game started was really difficult for us," Lynden coach Curt Kramme said. "We got a three-and-out on our first series on defense and then we get the ball stripped away from us on the punt. Then we have a fourth down play that we don't get a stop on. That sort of set the tone for the first half."

The game was billed as a non-conference showdown between two of the better Class 2A teams in the state, but Lynden's early struggles getting its young offense moving took much of the suspense out of the contest. The Lions' Ryan Seto scored early in the third quarter after the Wildcats fumbled away a punt of their own, making it 19-8, but the Lions couldn't draw closer.

Archbishop Murphy built a 26-8 lead with a touchdown run late in the third by Alex Martinez. Seto added the Lions' final score of the night in the final minute of the fourth quarter on a 15-yard pass from Jordan Hastings.

Hastings finished 11 for 24 for 103 yards, two touchdowns, and an interceptions in his debut as the Lions' quarterback. David Gaylord paced Lynden with 54 yards rushing, but much of that came in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats had four rushers with 20 or more yards and finished with 211 yards on 48 carries.

"It wasn't the way we wanted to start the season," Kramme said. "But on the other hand, I did see some things that could lead to good things down the road. I think our defense was pretty solid for the most part. I think our special-teams play kind of put them behind the eight ball a couple of times. Our goal in coming down here was finding out what we need to work on. We know that now."

The Lions did show flashes of their potential in the second half. Lynden put together two long drives in the fourth quarter, one of which resulted in a touchdown, and allowed the Wildcats just one run of more than 10 yards in the second half.

Lynden opens Class 2A Northwest Conference play with Squalicum on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Civic Stadium.

"I've been telling the kids all along that this is an exciting night, but Squalicum is the night we're really building toward," Kramme said. "That's our league opener. Our focus all the time has been making sure we're ready for that first league game."

Reach Joe Sunnen at joe.sunnen@bellinghamherald.com or 756-2862.

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