‘We just couldn’t stop their ground game’ — Ferndale steamrolls arch-rival Lynden
Lynden coach Blake VanDalen stressed how proud he was of his team’s effort, but he readily acknowledged that Ferndale dominated physically in the Golden Eagles’ 35-25 victory before a packed house at Rollie DeKoster Field.
“Our kids never quit and I’m proud of them, but Ferndale’s offensive and defensive lines were amazing,” VanDalen said about Ferndale‘s second consecutive victory in one of the state‘s legendary rivalries. “We just couldn’t stop their ground game.”
He got no argument from Ferndale coach Jamie Plenkovich.
“Our line played exceedingly well,” Plenkovich said. “And Blake’s kids did play really hard.”
The game left both coaches feeling like they have strong postseason shots — in the Wesco Class 3A North for Ferndale and in the Northwest Conference 2A for Lynden.
The Golden Eagles (2-0), with 90 points in their first two games, led 14-6 at halftime thanks to an 8-yard touchdown pass from Mark Schlichting to fullback Ryan Pelton and an 11-yard scoring throw from Schlichting to wingback Thomas Broselle.
Schlichting scored on a sneak in the third quarter and Isaiah Carlson wrapped it up with 28- and 47-yard scoring dashes for a 35-19 lead with about nine minutes to play. Plenkovich was gratified that Carlson — as usual for the power-running junior — finished with well over 100 yards rushing as the Golden Eagles never had to punt.
The Lions (1-1), who have 49 points in their first two games, scored the game’s final touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Kaedan Hermanutz with about three minutes remaining. He set up the play with a 29-yard pass to Isaiah Stanley following Campbell Nolte’s recovery of an onside kick by Troy Petz.
But Ferndale’s imposing ground game never let Lynden have the ball again, even though the Lions used all three timeouts.
Lynden’s first half touchdown was a 31-yard pass from Hermanutz to Nolte.
In the third quarter, Petz set a Lynden record with a 98-yard kickoff return, cutting Ferndale’s lead to 21-12.
“Troy had his back foot on the 1-yard line, but regardless of whether it should be called 98 or 99 yards, it’s a school record,” VanDalen said.
Lane Heeringa kept the Lions in the game with a 25-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter, pulling Lynden within 28-19.
Junior safety Collin Anker had what VanDalen called a “monster game” with 10 unassisted tackles, 21 assists and an interception.
“Thomas Broselle had an unbelievable game with how he gutted out a sprained ankle,” Plenkovich said. “Thomas had a great one-handed, sideline interception (at the Ferndale 40) at the end of the third quarter. Isaiah Carlson had two phenomenal runs for his touchdowns. And our fullbacks, Ryan Pelton and Elijah McCormick, both had strong efforts with a lot of help from our guys up front.”
Sophomore Jacob Mattingly kicked all five Ferndale conversions.
Saturday’s games
BLAINE 48, BAINBRIDGE ISLAND 14: The Borderites were originally scheduled to face Bellevue Christian, but COVID-19 forced a cancellation. Blaine coach Jay Dodd quickly scheduled Bainbridge and his Borderites (2-0) responded with five touchdown passes by Avery Dohner.
Dodd was excited that Dohner found Jaxon Kortlever at least three times for touchdowns. Dohner also threw a scoring pass to Scott Baldwin.
Larry Creasey and Gabe Cranford also rushed for touchdowns.
“It really was a great day for our kids,” said Dodd, whose team has 84 points in its first two games and has already doubled last season’s win total. “Our defense improved a lot. Bainbridge had one touchdown until the final 10 seconds.”
Dodd credited senior linebackers Danny Michaud and Spencer Dalry with outstanding efforts.
WENATCHEE 10, MOUNT BAKER 0: Baker (1-1) again came through with a strong defensive showing, but an interception for a touchdown and a field goal was enough for host Wenatchee.
Friday’s games
SEHOME 17, ANACORTES 0: Tommy Funk rushed for 139 yards and scored from the 2 after Carson Neff threw a 30-yard scoring pass to Luke Evans for Sehome’s first score. Meanwhile, the Mariners (1-1) dominated defensively.
“Our defense had a great team effort. Max Malo had a pick and Funk played real well at linebacker,” Mariners coach Kevin Beason said. “We’re real proud of our kids (after last week’s 9-7 loss to Nooksack).” The head coach credited defensive coordinator Jordan Chalfant and his staff with an excellent game plan.
Aiden Andrews kicked a 31-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead in the third quarter and booted both extra points.
Sehome’s Northwest Conference 2A opener will be against potential title winner Archbishop Murphy at 8 p.m Friday at Civic Stadium.
NOOKSACK VALLEY 49, HOQUIAM 14: Senior running back Jordan Silva rushed for a career-high four touchdowns and finished with well over 100 yards for the host Pioneers (2-0), coach Craig Bartl said.
The Pioneers’ other touchdowns were a pass from sophomore quarterback Joey Brown to Dawson Kimball, a 40-yard run by freshman Evan Bravo for his first varsity touchdown, and a pick six by Caleb Kingma.
Kingma scored even more points on conversions, making all seven before a loud home crowd.
“I thought we played very well as a team,” said Bartl. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a 2-0 start.”
MERIDIAN 55, EVERGREEN 6: Senior quarterback Tucker Harrison threw five touchdown passes for the Trojans (1-1) and passed for well over 300 yards at Highline Stadium, coach Patrick Ames said.
Harrison threw for two scores to Hunter Jones and two more to Daniel Short. Freshman running back Landen Downey scored twice on runs.
Harrison also ran for a score and a two-point conversion, giving him responsibility for 38 points, including a 50-yard scoring pass to Bryce Johnson.
Eli Jensen went 5 for 5 on extra point kicks along with one block.
“Tucker had all five touchdown passes with 10 for 12 passing and 274 yards by halftime,” Ames said. “We finished the game with nine freshmen on the field.”
LUMMI 52, NASELLE 20: Tucker Rawlins threw five touchdown passes, scored once on a 65-yard run and gained well over 300 yards through the air at Chief Leschi Stadium in Puyallup, coach Jim Sandusky said.
The Blackhawks (2-0) have scored 106 points and allowed 38.
Duncan Toby and Richie Wilson both accounted for more than 100 yards receiving and caught two scoring passes each. Caleb Tom caught Rawlins’ other touchdown pass.
Desmond Bailey returned an interception 60 yards for Lummi’s first touchdown after defensive end Samson Bumatay blocked a pass. Bumatay knocked down four passes. Wilson also had an interception of a pass blocked by Bumatay.
Wilson caught a pair of two-point conversions and Rawlins, Toby and William Elzey had one two-point run apiece.
LAKEWOOD 43, LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 30: The Class 1A Lyncs (0-2) took a 28-22 lead late in the third quarter when Will Colwell threw his fourth scoring pass. But Lakewood, a contender in the NWC 2A, scored the game’s final three touchdowns to negate a fine day of receiving by LC’s Caleb Ryan, who caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown to support fellow receiving standout Jamison Hintz.
Colwell completed 17 of 37 passes for 242 yards and ran for 60 yards.
Quarterback Justice Taylor gave Lakewood (2-0) the lead with an 85-yard touchdown run and finished with 194 yards passing and 60 rushing. Riley Maggard extended Lakewood’s lead with touchdowns of 12 and 63 yards..
WEST SEATTLE 34, BELLINGHAM 6: Daniel Reyes scored on a pass from Max Rasset for the Bayhawks’ touchdown as Bellingham fell to 0-2 at Civic Stadium.
“We definitely walked away feeling our kids had gotten better,” coach Robb Myhre said.
SQUALICUM 2, SNOHOMISH 0 (forfeit): The Storm (2-0) originally had been scheduled to visit Sequim, but COVID-19 exposure forced Sequim out. Storm coach Nick Lucey said Snohomish agreed to play Friday but then decided not to play, after all.
WEEK 3 GAMES
Friday
Squalicum at Lynden, 7 p.m.
Ferndale vs. Arlington at Blaine, 7 p.m.
Mount Baker vs. Cleveland at Seattle Memorial Stadium, 8 p.m.
Sehome vs. Archbishop Murphy at Civic Stadium, 8 p.m
Blaine at Anacortes, 7 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Cedarcrest, 7 p.m.
South Whidbey vs. Bellingham at Civic Stadium, 5 p.m.
Quilcene at Lummi, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Meridian at Grandview, 1 p.m.
Nooksack vs. Rainier Beach at Seattle Memorial Stadium, 5 p.m.
