Petz ready to do all he can for team to win as Lynden meets Anacortes Friday
Troy Petz has a football goal that only one of the most versatile players in Whatcom County history could have.
“What I’d really like to do (to help the team) is to score as many ways as possible,” said the remarkable senior, who has been a vital contributor during defending state 2A champion Lynden’s state-leading 19-game winning streak.
That explains why Petz can be listed as a kicker - punter - wide receiver - cornerback.
He has scored with field goals, extra points, receptions, a long run and a kickoff return (a school-record 98-yarder last year against Ferndale).
That leaves a punt return, an interception return (he has two pass thefts this season), a fumble return, a two-point conversion catch and a two-point conversion run. Purists might add a tackle in an opponent’s end zone for a safety. Perhaps a touchdown pass should be mentioned, as well.
Petz is realistic enough to know that to chalk up all 12 ways to score is highly unlikely. But if it will help the team, he’ll do whatever he can. He scored 77 points in Lynden’s first eight games.
After all, he never gets bored with field goals (three this season and five last year) and extra points (32 in 34 attempts this year). He’s also grateful to have too many talented teammates to make all 12 ways to score unlikely for any one Lynden player, no matter how versatile.
For now, when Lynden plays at Anacortes on Friday in Week Nine for the Northwest Conference 2A title in a battle of unbeaten teams, Petz is just focused on winning. Both teams are guaranteed state berths, and will have byes in Week 10.
“Troy is fun to have as a teammate,” coach Blake VanDalen said. “He doesn’t take life too seriously, but he takes kicking, punting and being an athlete seriously. He’s a unique ‘five-tool’ player (a baseball term), so to speak.”
As a junior, he was the only county athlete to play for a state football champion and to win an individual title in track and field. His 22-2 in the 2A long jump was nearly a foot better than the 21-4 life best he came into the season with. (His best last season was 22-9 at sub-regionals.)
“What an athlete!” VanDalen has been saying for three seasons. Even so, with all of Lynden’s talent, Petz waited his turn to play first-string at receiver and cornerback.
“Well, I sure can’t go around boasting at home,” said Petz. “They keep me humble because my family has a lot of state track titles. My sister Mary Carbee won two at Sehome and so did my mother Brandi Stevenson at Sehome. Mom was also an All-American in the (seven-event) heptathlon at Western. My father Jacob Petz was a state champion in the 4x100 at Pullman and his brothers Justin and Anthony were state champions, too.”
Troy, an adept conversationalist, likes track and field but acknowledges that “football is my favorite sport.”
In fact, he sought out former NFL punter Michael Koenen from Ferndale High and Western Washington University for kicking tips.
“Coach VanDalen put me in contact with him. Michael is just amazing with how much he knows,” said Petz, who acknowledges he will do everything he can to get a shot at the NFL. He has been contacted by Washington, Washington State, Oregon and Oregon State, among others, and hopes to be offered an NCAA Division I scholarship.
“I want to play D1. I probably won’t sign until February (the first Wednesday is national signing day) but if I get an offer I can’t refuse, I might sign (early) in December,” said Petz, whose GPA is 3.5.
Petz’s 43-yard field goal is his best this season — his others were both 40 yards — and his punting average is 40.6 yards.
“I’ll do whatever my college team asks,” said Petz, indicating he would be willing to place kick and punt if needed.
“Here we have probably the best punter in the state and we have seldom punted this season,” VanDalen said in a testimony to his team’s multitude of talent.
Petz has 4.42 speed in football’s classic timing distance, 40 yards. It’s one of the best times in Lynden history and is phenomenal for a kicker — except perhaps some of those guys who arrived in America after playing Australian rules football.
Petz feels no story about him would be complete without a mention of fellow seniors Campbell Nolte, an outstanding running back who also plays long snapper, and Isaiah Stanley, who is an outstanding receiver as well as Petz’s holder on place kicks.
“Isaiah has great hands,” Petz said of Stanley’s skill as a holder while also noting Nolte‘s exceptional skills. “And (on passes) Isaiah will catch anything he can get his hands on. He’s that good.”
Without pads, Petz’s best kick in practice is 60 yards. He has booted 55 yards in workouts with pads. He would welcome the chance in a game, if his team needed him that much.
“I like to think I have more confidence in myself than anyone else has,” he said with a laugh. He meant it but it also shows his sense of humor.
Petz plans to major in business and may follow his father into the real estate business.
WEEK NINE
Thursday, Oct. 27
Squalicum vs. Sedro-Woolley at Civic Stadium, 7 p.m.
Sehome at Lakewood, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28
Lynden Christian at Mount Baker, 7 p.m.
Blaine at Nooksack Valley, 7 p.m.
Lynden at Anacortes, 7 p.m.
Meridian vs. Bellingham at Civic Stadium, 7 p.m.
Lummi at Neah Bay has been canceled.
Ferndale at Monroe, 7 p.m.
