Thriller in the rain: Long zig-zag run highlights battle between Lynden and Squalicum
Campbell Nolte provided the sizzle and fellow junior Lane Heeringa came through with the stability in a thriller that featured the weather and the intensity of a November state playoff game.
Nolte shocked himself with a zig-zag 74-yard touchdown run and junior quarterback Kaedan Hermanutz scored on a 2-point conversion near the end of the third quarter for the game’s final points in Lynden’s 15-12 win over Squalicum in torrential rain and heavy wind Friday.
Squalicum (2-1) came into the Northwest Conference Class 2A opener ranked second in the state among 2A teams and Lynden (2-1) came in third.
While Lynden’s potential-packed juniors came through intriguingly well, the biggest news from the league standpoint was injuries to two of the area’s finest seniors — Squalicum running back/linebacker Ben Schlenbaker and quarterback Leyton Smithson.
Storm coach Nick Lucey replied “maybe” when asked if Schlenbaker — who was helped off with an ankle injury shortly after scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 12-7 lead — and Smithson might be available for the home game Friday against Lakewood.
Lucey said Smithson sustained “an upper-body injury.”
“This game was a gut check. This was a win our guys will never forget,” said Lynden coach Blake VanDalen, whose team rebounded nicely from a 35-25 loss to Ferndale. “This game was for all the players and all the assistant coaches, because they all made great efforts in practice this week and in the game. I can’t tell you how proud I am of them.”
“To be honest, I had no idea,” said Nolte, who scored his first varsity touchdown against Ferndale with a 31-yard dash. “I was just looking for blocks from my brothers. I was shocked (to go that far).”
Heeringa, in the best game of his career, gave Lynden ball control with 18 carries for 63 yards and was in on 14 tackles, including nine solo.
Heeringa’s defensive numbers were phenomenal, considering that Lynden limited the Storm to 35 offensive plays from scrimmage for 140 total yards, including 20 runs for 101 yards by Schlenbaker.
The Lions drove 80 yards on 14 plays to score on the opening series with a 16-yard pass from Hermanutz to Kaleo Jandoc, followed by Troy Petz’s conversion kick.
What made that play remarkable was that the touchdown followed four penalties against the Lions after they advanced to the 7-yard line. Nolte, who finished with eight carries for 95 yards, helped set up the the score with an 11-yard run.
On Lynden’s final series of the first half, Jandoc reversed direction after taking a long pass by Hermanutz, but Kaleb Hawkinson tackled Jandoc at the 2-yard line. The Storm limited Lynden to minus-one yard on the next four plays combined.
“I thought that goal-line stand had given us a lot of momentum,” said Lucey.
Four and one-half minutes into the second half, Schlenbaker returned a fumble 36 yards to score but Lynden’s Luke Winterberg blocked the conversion.
On Lynden’s ensuing series, Squalicum’s Kai Posey blocked a punt at the 7-yard line and the Storm immediately responded with Schlenbaker’s scoring run for a 12-7 lead, but the conversion pass failed.
After Schlenbaker was injured, the Storm did not gain another first down.
The Lions held the ball for 17 plays and more than nine minutes to open the fourth quarter. Lynden did not score but Lions defensive back Ryan Kleindel wrapped up the win with an interception with 2:05 left. Heeringa ran three times to end the memorable struggle.
Lynden’s other varsity quarterback, Max Moore, reinjured his shoulder on the game’s second possession after missing the Ferndale game.
Lynden next plays Friday at Burlington-Edison, which played a scoreless non-league tie with Mount Vernon.
“Our guys played their butts off,” said Lucey, whose team next faces Lakewood at Civic Stadium on Friday. “Bryson Lamb was huge for us.”
FERNDALE 18, ARLINGTON 17: In one of the best comebacks of coach Jamie Plenkovich’s long career, the Golden Eagles (3-0) overcame six turnovers, including two in the final four minutes, in a dramatic matchup of Wesco 3A North contenders.
Senior quarterback Mark Schlichting threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Conner Walcker with 40 seconds left, not long after the pair hooked up for 30 yards.
Ferndale rushing leader Isaiah Carlson, who had several key fourth-quarter runs, then won it with a two-point conversion burst.
“We took over on our 20 after they missed a field goal,” Plenkovich said. “This was after Arlington (2-1) recovered a fumble on their 1-yard line and marched 99 yards to score to take the lead at 17-10. Then we fumbled the kickoff, but we had some luck when they missed the field goal.
Ferndale drove 80 yards in 50 seconds with no time outs, thanks to the Schlichting-Walcker combination. Standout senior receiver Thomas Broselle was not available because of a severe ankle sprain suffered against Lynden.
Elijah McCormick scored Ferndale’s first touchdown with a 3-yard catch, followed by his two-point conversion.
Defensive lineman Landon Hatchett clinched the win when he intercepted a tipped pass. Ferndale’s first two points came came on a safety in the first half.
BLAINE OUT: The Borderites (2-0) had to cancel against Anacortes because of COVID-19 exposure, coach Jay Dodd said. Previously established protocol will determine if Blaine can play Friday at South Whidbey.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 40, CEDARCREST 14: First-year starting quarterback Will Colwell threw four touchdown passes for the second consecutive game and the Lyncs (1-2) turned in a solid defensive performance, led by linebacker Matt Burrows and defensive lineman Roman Meenk, who returned from an injury.
“I was more excited about the 14 than the 40,” said LC coach Dan Kaemingk, whose 1A team gave up 83 points to strong 2A competition in two losses.
Caleb Ryan’s 3-yard fumble return and Colwell’s 24-yard pass to Jamison Hintz were LC’s first two scores.
Colwell finished 17 for 25 for 230 yards with no interceptions and also threw scoring passes of 42 yards to Hintz, 5 yards to Ryan and 24 yards to Kade Eldridge. Colwell rushed five times for 76 yards including a 28-yard touchdown.
LC mounted a solid ground game with 23 carries for 146 yards, with 11 for 39 yards for Isaac Paxton and 4 for 24 yards by Zac Owen.
Lucas VanHofwegen went 4 for 6 on conversion kicks.
MERIDIAN 34, GRANDVIEW 15: Senior quarterback Tucker Harrison threw to scoring passes apiece to Daniel Short and Hunter Jones, giving him nine scoring throws in a two-game stretch for the Trojans (2-1).
Short scored the game’s second touchdown on a 99-yard pass-run and tallied the last on a 46-yard catch. Jones, who also had two interceptions, caught 15- and 50-yard passes and had a 7-yard scoring run.
“Short caught a long -pass down the sideline and avoided a lunge by the defender,” said Meridian coach Patrick Ames, whose team took a 21-0 halftime lead on Jones second score with two seconds left in the half.
Eli Jensen went 4 for 4 on conversions and had another try blocked.
“We started three freshmen on the offensive line,” said Ames, who had one of the NWC 1A League’s youngest teams.
Harrison also had an interception.
BELLINGHAM 28, SOUTH WHIDBEY 6: Johnny Twedt scored on a 50-yard pass from Max Rasset and on a 35-yard reverse, coach Robb Myhre noted as a highlight of the Bayhawks’ first win.
Rasset scored on a 1-yard keeper and Logan Steev tallied the final touchdown from 5 yards out.
Much-improved senior defensive end Jordan McCormack had a sack, plus two other tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Jimmy Quinlan made a key second-quarter interception to help preserve a 14-6 halftime advantage.
“Jordan has really come a long way,” Myhre said. “With each game, our kids have shown improvement. They took another step forward.”
LUMMI 28, QUILCENE 22: In a non-league eight-man game at Lummi, the Blackhawks (3-0) scored on a 3-yard run by Tucker Rawlins to end a drive of about 70 yards with five minutes remaining. William Elzey scored on a 10-yard run and a 70-yard reception from Rawlins and Duncan Toby had a 50-yard scoring sprint.
With 55 seconds to play at Lummi’s 18-yard line, in heavy wind and rain, Sammy Bumatay sacked the Quilcene quarterback and Nigel Hillaire recovered to clinch the win.
No other statistics were available because the video did not work for most of the eight-man game.
Lummi is scheduled to play Friday at Neah Bay at 5 p.m.
ARCHBISHOP MURPHY 20, SEHOME 10: The Mariners (1-2) were nails on defense with a scoreless first half, but Archbishop took a 13-3 lead with an 83-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.
Aidan Andrews kicked a 22-yard field goal for Sehome 15 seconds before the long pass.
The Mariners pulled within 13-10 with a 2-yard touchdown run byTommy Funk and Andrews’ conversion.
Archbishop quarterback Colton Johnson scored the game’s final points on a 1-yard burst with 7:12 to play.
“Our guys gave a great effort. We were very pleased with our defense,” said Sehome coach Kevin Beason. “Untimely penalties and three turnovers (all interceptions) hurt.”
The Mariners will next play Friday at Sedro-Woolley, which shocked 2A contender Lakewood 44-0.
SEATTLE PREP 28, MOUNT BAKER 22: The Mounties (1-2) scored all 22 points in the fourth quarter against starters on Davin Beason’s first two touchdowns at quarterback and a score by Jesse Sande, but fourth-ranked 3A state playoff contender Seattle Prep (3-0) scored a touchdown and a conversion in every period.
Beason, All-NWC 1A at linebacker and center, took over at quarterback with the first two signal-callers out with injuries. He scored on two short runs.
Wyatt Pettigrew made one of his two interceptions to set up Baker’s second score. A two-point conversion by Sande, who rushed for more than 100 yards, but Seattle Prep’s lead to 21-15 but Seattle Prep responded with its final score to make it 28-15
Baker running back Marcus George helped set up the touchdowns with a strong night, Baker coach Ron Lepper said.
“Our kids played their butts off and really went after it,” Lepper said. “They played Mount Baker football and really played hard.”
Baker now has five starters out with injuries. Hoquiam was scheduled to host Baker on Friday, but the Grizzlies have been sidelined by COVID exposure. Lepper said Baker was trying to find an opponent.
NOOKSACK VALLEY VS. RAINIER BEACH: Information was not available at deadline for this story.
WEEK FOUR
Friday’s games
Lynden at Burlington, 7 p.m.
Bellingham at Meridian, 7 p.m.
Ferndale at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at Kings, 7 p.m.
Squalicum vs. Lakewood at Civic Stadium, 7 p.m.
Sehome at Sedro-Woolley, 7 p.m.
Lummi at Neah Bay, 5 p.m.
Mount Baker vs. opponent TBD.
Lynden Christian vs. opponent TBD.
Blaine at South Whidbey, depending on COVID protocol for Blaine.
This story was originally published September 20, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
