Squalicum standout QB Mason Binning brings a heritage to Friday’s clash with Sehome
When Squalicum standout Mason Binning tells the story of how his father convinced him he should play quarterback, the senior recalls his dad did not exaggerate his own playing days at the position.
“Dad told me he directed a pretty boring offense at Sehome,” Mason said with an ironic laugh.
To be sure, Mason Binning guides anything but a boring offense.
Binning works with receivers who give him a well above average passing game. Even better, he is blessed with one of the most explosive running backs in Whatcom County history, junior Ben Schlenbaker.
And “boring” is the last word anyone expects to use to describe the Storm’s game against Sehome on Friday night at Sehome’s new football stadium.
For the first time, Binning will get the chance to match both receivers and wits with fellow senior quarterback Jason Kaepernick, who has guided the Mariners (3-0) to the only unbeaten record in the Northwest Conference after just three rounds of the improvised eight-team Class 2A/3A schedule for this abbreviated winter pandemic season.
The Storm is 2-1 after a 9-6 loss to 2019 state semifinalist Lynden (2-1). But despite the score, Squalicum’s offense wasn’t boring in defeat. Schlenbaker rushed for 180 yards on a career-high 32 carries, but the Lions managed to keep him out of the end zone.
Binning struck paydirt with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Reed Richardson late in the third quarter to take a 6-3 lead. With Schlenbaker rushing so often, Binning was limited to 14 passes but completed eight for 74 yards with no interceptions.
Since Squalicum has returned to the Class 2A ranks after earning two consecutive 3A state tournament berths out of the Wesco South, this will be Binning’s only chance to beat Sehome.
“We feel we have a lot to prove,” said Binning in his modest style.
He also said he wants to give his parents, Ryan Binning and Wendy (Wright) Binning from Sehome‘s Class of 1997, a slight case of mixed emotions. Ryan was a two-year starter at quarterback and Shannon was a three-sport athlete.
“Dad helped me a lot in football (starting in fourth grade),” Binning said. “He’s the one who motivated me to play quarterback starting in fifth grade.”
Storm coach Nick Lucey, in his seventh season, couldn’t be prouder of the 6-foot-1, 185-pound three-sport athlete’s development. In Binning’s first year as a starter, he led the Storm to an 8-3 record in 2019, including a loss to eventual state champion Eastside Catholic in the 3A quarterfinals.
“Mason is an authentic servant leader,” said Lucey. “He genuinely likes to help people and he’s unselfish and caring. His teammates will follow him anywhere and they like to be around him.”
Binning has received an offer from the University of Puget Sound and Lucey feels he definitely can play in college.
“Mason has a great touch and a strong arm,” the coach said. “He has as good a grasp of the offense as any kid I’ve coached.”
Binning is remarkably accurate. In his first three games, throwing mostly to Kai Posey and Reed Richardson, he has completed 36 of 54 passes for 515 yards and six touchdowns, with one interception.
Last season, while Schlenbaker became the first sophomore in county history to rush for more than 2,000 yards, Binning completed better than 60 percent of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns to go with Schlenbaker’s 28 scores.
As we said, the Storm is not boring. But Sehome’s 10-5 win over Ferndale on Saturday showed what an effective defense the Mariners can present.
Together, Schlenbaker and Binning have produced more yards than any duo in the county this season. The elusive running back already has 510 yards and five touchdowns.
“Playing with so many talented teammates definitely opens up the passing game for us,” Binning said.
Even though Binning would love a final crack at the playoffs — there won’t be a postseason in order to provide two other short sports seasons — he views the Storm’s five-game schedule the typically positive attitude.
“It’s a lot better than being stuck at home,” said Binning, who plans to major in business administration in college.
GAMES OF THURSDAY, MARCH 11
(LOCAL RECORDS)
Granite Falls vs. Bellingham (1-2) at Civic Stadium, 7 p.m.
Burlington at Ferndale (2-1), 7 p.m.
Nooksack (1-2) at Blaine (0-3), 7 p.m.
Lynden (2-1) at Sedro-Woolley, 7 p.m.
Mount Baker (3-0) at Anacortes, 7 p.m.
Lynden Christian (2-0) at King’s, 7 p.m.
GAME OF FRIDAY, MARCH 12
Squalicum (2-1) at Sehome (3-0), 7 p.m.
