Lynden Christian gets help from unexpected sources in run to 1A state title game
Zach Sipma has discovered he can play well pretty much anywhere he’s needed.
Bryce Bouwman has learned he loves contributing at positions besides quarterback.
Eli DenBleyker has found that football offers more than the lifelong soccer standout could have dreamed of.
The three seniors are all major — and unselfish — factors in Lynden Christian’s first drive to a state championship game in 22 years.
They’re also among the highest number of talented skill-position players the Lyncs have ever fielded.
The seventh-seeded Lyncs (11-1) face top-seeded Royal (13-0) in the state high school Class 1A title game at noon Saturday, Dec. 7, at Lakewood’s Harry Lang Stadium.
Royal, which lost in last year’s semifinals, is bidding for its fourth unbeaten season in five years.
Sipma ‘just absolutely loves to play football’
Sipma, at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, has amazed pretty much everyone but his teammates and coaches with his speed and moves on offense as well as his expected sheer muscle on the defensive line, which has helped the Lyncs limit opponents to only 12 offensive touchdowns.
“Put Zach anywhere and he would do a good job,” LC coach Dan Kaemingk said. “He just absolutely loves to play football. And he has really put the work in.”
Bouwman, an acknowledged team leader who plays in the defensive backfield and at wide receiver after serving primarily as a quarterback, said Sipma has amazed him.
How many athletes could not only play on the defensive line, but also serve as an effective wide receiver, running back and as a noteworthy rookie long snapper?
“Zach just moves so well,” Bouwman said. “He’s stronger than he looks, and he looks strong.”
DenBleyker, for one, said he could not be more grateful for Sipma.
DenBleyker adds more than just kicking
After answering the call to try out for kicker from special teams coach Mike Apol along with numerous other coaches and players, DenBleyker, a three-year varsity soccer starter, found he had the help he needed in second-year holder Preston VanderVeen and Sipma.
The trio has executed so well that DenBleyker is 51 for 51 on conversion kicks. He has five field goals and did not miss a kick until hitting the left upright during LC’s 14-7 win over previously unbeaten Deer Park in Saturday’s semifinals.
DenBleyker said he also takes pride in the five tackles he has made on kickoffs along with his punting.
“Going into the season, I did not really have expectations,” DenBleyker said. “Now I wish I had turned out for football earlier.”
Multi-dimensional Bouwman
As for Bouwman, Kaemingk said he really is like a coach on the field.
When Trajan Schouten — who has thrown 22 touchdown passes as a senior and displayed plenty of promise as a junior — was injured part of last season, Bouwman stepped in at quarterback and started three games.
Bouwman switched positions before the season, however, not only because coaches wanted to maximize his value, but also because heir apparent Logan Dykstra, a junior quarterback and a starting linebacker, showed he could benefit from immediate experience behind center.
“I really like watching film and picking up cues,” Bouwman said. “And I’m all in at wide receiver. I’d rather play wide receiver than be the backup quarterback.”
“You tell Bryce something one time and he always remembers it,” Kaemingk said. “He would make a great coach.”
Bouwman, who also plays on most special teams, is part of a defensive backfield that also features standouts Jude Veltkamp, Shale Whittern, Jackson Apol and Cole Moorlag.
Deer Park completed only three of 12 passes for 25 yards against them and finished with 64 total yards.
“None of us (regular wide receivers Jackson Corkill, Tanner Feenstra and Bouwman) caught a pass but all we cared about was winning,” Bouwman said.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 5:00 AM.