Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009

PREP FOOTBALL: Hastings brings toughness to Lions

Like the rest of the Lynden football team, senior quarterback Jordan Hastings was crushed when the Lions' bid at an undefeated season ended almost before it even began this year.

Three months after that 34-20 loss to Archbishop Murphy at Qwest Field in Seattle during Week 1, that defeat still stings. And Hastings is sure the defending Class 2A state champions are better for it.

"This program has won state championships but it's never had an undefeated season," Hastings said in a phone interview. "I think that's something we all wanted to do for coach this season. When we lost our first game we were all disappointed, but I think it's something we needed. I think that really focused us. We're a close team, but I think it brought us even closer. That's something we've been able to feed off of."

Lynden gets another crack at the Wildcats at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, in the Tacoma Dome. It's the second time in the last two years the two have met in the state semifinals and the second time that game has been a rematch of the season opener for both teams. Last year the Lions dropped their opener to ATM only to knock them off in the postseason.

This season, Lynden is hoping for a similar journey.

"We're hoping things turn out the same as they did last year," Hastings said. "There are a lot of similarities between this year and last year. They are a good team, but we're not afraid of them or anything."

Picking out one leader on a Lions team loaded with talented seniors - along with some outgoing personalities - is a tough task. Brett Bajema has provided the inspiration with his passionate speeches and never-say-die attitude. Blair Bomber brings the swagger. The offensive line is the grit. But when it comes to toughness, there's Hastings and then there's everybody else.

"Jordan is probably the toughest person I know," Bomber said after the first Archbishop Murphy game. "He was just getting pounded when we were running the ball."

Toughness can be hard to quantify, especially when it comes from a quarterback. It doesn't show up in the statistics the way touchdown passes and interceptions do. It doesn't hang from a lithe-bodied athlete like Hastings the same way it would a hulking lineman.

It has shown up, however, at the end of nearly every one of Hastings 110 carries this season and in many of his 798 rushing yards. It was on display last week when the Lions turned to Hastings to help lift them to a 31-0 win over Sequim on a rainy, windy night.

The toughness is there when he takes a big hit - and he's been involved in more than a few big collisions this season - shakes himself off and makes his way back for the next play.

"I've really tried to finish runs this year," Hastings said. "Last year we had David Gaylord and he was so hard to bring down. The last few weeks I've carried the ball a lot because the weather has been bad and I've tried my best to fill that role. I'm looking forward to playing in the Tacoma Dome and getting our passing game going a little bit."

When Lynden gets both phases of their offense going, they are next to impossible to stop. The problem is, at least in the Lions' eyes, it has not happened as frequently as they would like. Hastings has always been a very good passer, and this season he's thrown for 20 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards. But when the passing game has been working, the running game has been a little off. Other times it is turnovers or red zone miscues that have slowed the Lions.

"We're still waiting to have that game where everything is clicking," Hastings said. "We have so much talent on offense, but we haven't really been able to get in the flow of things."

Hastings is also hoping for one more game after this weekend. As much as he would enjoy winning another state title, that's hardly a concern at this point. Right now he's just trying to soak in what precious little time he has left with his senior teammates and possibly playing football.

"I'm just not ready for it to end yet," Hasting said. "Not any of it. This senior class is so close and I just can't imagine not being around them and around football. Coming into this year, I wasn't sure I wanted to play any more after this season. Now that it's almost over, I can't imagine not playing again."