Too many good Whatcom football teams, not enough playoff slots — Kansas tiebreaker ahead
While postseason bound Lynden and Ferndale celebrate league football championships and remarkable accomplishments with wins over unbeaten teams, Mount Baker, Lynden Christian and Nooksack Valley are assured their share of a league title. Yet only two will go to state in a quirky development.
Lynden’s 23-13 road win over Anacortes extended the Lions’ state-leading winning streak to 20 with their fifth consecutive Northwest Conference 2A title. Ferndale’s 34-28 road victory over Monroe gave the Golden Eagles their first overall Wesco 3A championship and a home game in the state Round of 32, in which they will face Seattle Prep (4-4-1) at Civic Field Friday night.
Meanwhile, Mount Baker’s 48-34 win over top-ranked Lynden Christian, spiced by a career-high six touchdowns by Marcquis George, along with Nooksack Valley’s 44-7 victory over Blaine, made it necessary to hold a three-way playoff Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Blaine. The Mountaineers, Lyncs and Pioneers all finished 3-1 in NWC 1A and were 1-1 against each other.
It’s quite possible that one of the most state-worthy 1A teams will not go to state, since space has been allotted for only two teams from the powerful NWC for the state Round of 16 in Week 11.
Instead of the tri-champions playing a half-game against each other, the sometimes all-too-brief Kansas Tie-breaker will be used. The winner between Mount Baker and Nooksack will go to state and the loser will face Lynden Christian for the other state spot.
In the Kansas tiebreaker, the ball is placed on the 25-yard line and each team is given the chance to earn first downs and scores for as many possessions as needed to determine a winner. That means a match-up may end in mere minutes or could last quite a while.
The Kansas Tiebreaker makes sense at the end of a full regular-season game, but it can result in freak deciding plays when used otherwise, the way the tiebreaker will be used Thursday.
The 2A tournament field, to be announced Sunday, Nov. 6, made room this season for a third NWC team, since many coaches consider the NWC’s 2A and 1A leagues perhaps the state’s best, top-to-bottom. Sedro-Woolley’s 42-3 win over Squalicum eliminated both the fifth-place Storm and fourth-place Sehome, a 32-11 winner over Lakewood.
It’s been a remarkable season in Whatcom County: Four of the county’s seven 3A, 2A and 1A teams will go to state; the county’s 11 teams have combined for 26 explosions of 40 points or more; and county teams are 40-21 against non-county opponents.
Friday’s games
MOUNT BAKER 48, LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 34: George, a remarkably elusive 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior, became one of the few 11-man players in state history to amass a total of 11 touchdowns and nearly 600 yards from scrimmage over a two-game span for the Mounties (5-4, 3-1). He gained 268 yards on 27 carries against the Lyncs (8-1, 3-1) and scored on runs of 17, 68, 2, 2, 44 and 2 yards in that order.
George’s final touchdown, his 19th, clinched the win with 1:48 to play. Quarterback Landon Smith, also an outstanding defensive back, set up George’s sixth score when Smith made a 22-yard interception return.
“We love Marcquis,” said two-way Baker line star Ethan Larson. “Marcquis is a beast!”
George has 19 touchdowns and more than 1,400 yards in only eight games (Baker has one win by forfeit). With LC ground-gaining and defensive star Kade Eldridge sidelined for the season in a late-week decision caused by a broken foot, the Lyncs turned to junior quarterback Jeremiah Wright for their firepower.
Wright responded with 20-for-40 passing for 372 yards under great pressure, including 11 passes for 181 yards to Tyler Sipma and touchdown passes of 49 yards to Lane Dykstra and 16 yards to Tyson Bajema. Dykstra caught four passes for 118 yards and Bajema grabbed four for 68. Wright also scored on scrambles of 6 and 13 yards in the first half, which ended with Baker up 28-21. Wright has 14 touchdown passes and more than 1,400 yards passing, plus 12 touchdown runs.
George, never one to say much about himself, stressed that “I couldn’t have done this without our line” — plus effective game-long blocking by senior fullback Brady West.
“I just love blocking for Marcquis and (fellow runner) Wilhelm Maloley,” said West, also a standout linebacker. It’s players like West who have given the Mounties a shot at their tenth consecutive post-season appearance.
LC coach Greg Terpstra credited Mount Baker “with playing better in every phase of the game. They were quicker.”
Baker coach Ron Lepper seemed overwhelmed by his team’s mental determination. Three weeks earlier in a non-league game against La Center, the Mounties allowed a 25-0 third-quarter lead to evaporate into a 26-25 loss, thanks to a number of odd developments.
“I’m just so proud of our kids and their effort,” Lepper said.
“We’re exactly where we wanted to be (after the loss to La Center).” Smith said. “Coach Lepper challenged our team by asking ‘Why not us?’ ”with a shot at state even though the Mounties lost four of the first seven games of a tough schedule.”
Landen Hanstead’s interception at the goal line and 36-yard return began a 13-play, 64-yard drive capped by Smith’s 2-yard scoring sneak and Tanyen Staton’s third of six extra points for a 21-all tie. West’s 15-yard punt return enabled the Mounties to begin a 32-yard drive on the way to their 28-21 halftime lead. Alex Maloley’s 11-yard sack from the Baker 3 on the final play of the first half kept the Mounties ahead.
Sipma’s interception on the final play of the third quarter set up his own touchdown when he stripped the ball and returned it 13 yards to score for his 11th touchdown, creating a 34-all tie with 10:14 to play. Then came George’s fifth and sixth touchdowns.
“It just comes naturally,” George said to explain his multitude of moves.
“Our kids felt that George was a much tougher match-up than anyone else we have faced,” said Terpstra. “He’s the toughest to bring down. He‘s patient and he spots his holes well.”
Terpstra, though, was far from discouraged.
“Our kids rallied as best they could (given the situation),” he said “When they would come off the field, they were coaching each other even before we could coach them.”
FERNDALE 34, MONROE 28: Isaiah Carlson rushed 26 times for 184 yards and three scores, including a 94-yard touchdown about midway through the fourth quarter for a 34-21 lead. The fourth-year running back has a county-leading 23 touchdowns and more than 1,100 yards.
Immediately before Carlson’s long score, Ferndale (7-2, 7-0) capped its best defensive game with three stops at the 1-yard line against Monroe (8-1 overall) followed by a fumble recovery by sophomore Talan Bungard. Camden Raymond, Jake Mason, Landen Hatchett and Jacob Gandy all impressed coach Jamie Plenkovich on the defensive stand.
“Our defense was awesome, a lot better than the score shows,” said Plenkovich, who won his appeal of a one-game suspension caused by his ejection last week in the final minute of the first half against Stanwood.
“We have work to do on special teams,” said Plenkovich, who saw Monroe score on kickoff returns of 97 yards by Beau Pruett and 92 yards by Mason Davis, who also scored on a 78-yard trick play pass from Kody Edelbrock with one minute left in the game.
Junior Conner Walcker scored on a 25-yard reverse from sophomore Zach Nielsen, who rushed for 153 yards in the previous game. Carlson’s 2-yard touchdown made it 21-all at the half and junior quarterback Bishop Ootsie threw a 20-yard pass to Walcker for a 28-21 advantage in the third quarter. Walker finished with 130 yards running and receiving and Ootsie avoided any interceptions and went 6 for 9 for 104 yards.
“They had 13 net yards passing,” said Plenkovich of Monroe, which suffered two interceptions by Walcker and one each by Bungard (off a tip by Nielsen) and Damien Toney.
“We played our best defense against two teams that came in undefeated against us,” said Plenkovich.
Dylan Moore’s 30-yard run set up Carlson’s first score. Carlson broke Casey Locker’s Ferndale career touchdown record of 49, according to historian Tyler Anderson.
LYNDEN 23, ANACORTES 13: The Lions (9-0, 7-0) limited the Seahawks (8-1, 6-1) to a season point low while holding a team that came in averaging more than 40 points to one touchdown from scrimmage.
The Lions scored on an 18-yard pass from sophomore Brant Heppner to Isaiah Stanley, on a 2-yard run by Lane Heeringa for his 12th touchdown, on a 1-yarder by Kaedan Hermanutz, and on a 25-yard field goal by Troy Petz, who set up his kick with an interception in the end zone. It was Petz’s fourth field goal this season and ninth in a two-season span and gave him 82 points.
Lynden’s 20-game streak is second only to its 33 in a row from 2012 to 2014.
Heeringa made 12 tackles while fellow senior linebacker Chris Elenbaas had nine and junior safety Kobe Baar had eight, plus an intercepion that set up Heppner’s TD pass — the 13th score the 6-foot-6 sophomore has produced while alternating with Hermanutz at quarterback. Heppner has not thrown an interception.
Brady Beaner’s 5-yard run gave Anacortes a 7-0 lead on its first possession, but otherwise the Seahawks scored only on Hayden John’s 95-yard interception return for a 13-7 halftime lead.
Coach Blake VanDalen was pleased by Lynden’s offensive line and a balanced rushing game, with 86 yards on 13 carries by Heppner, 75 on nine by Campbell Nolte, 56 on nine by Hermanutz, and 55 on 14 by Heeringa. Hermanutz went 4 for 7 passing for 86 yards and Heppner was 2-for-3 for 54 yards as the Lions maintained their 72 percent season effectiveness. Stanley caught four passes for 85 yards.
Lynden will learn Sunday, Nov.6, details on its first-round home state playoff game in Week 11 after a bye. Anacortes also will have a bye.
NOOKSACK VALLEY 44, BLAINE 7: Sophomore Colton Lentz ran for 256 yards on 25 carries and scored two touchdowns for the young Pioneers (7-1, 3-1)
Junior quarterback Joey Brown scored on a 53-yard run and threw touchdown passes of 17 yards to Evan Bravo and 10 to Cory Olney while going 7 for 9 for 76 yards. Brown ran for 121 yards while his sprained ankle improved to what he called “99 percent.“ Skyler Whittern scored the other touchdown with a 6-yard run and Jorgen Vigre went 6 for 6 on conversions.
“I’m still looking for the extra one percent,“ quipped Brown, who has produced 18 touchdowns running and passing.
“Colton broke the school record for a sophomore rusher of 1,005 yards,” said Brown. Lentz has more than 1,100 total yards and 11 touchdowns.
Blaine (1-8, 0-4) tied the game 7-7 with an 11-yard pass from Kael Evinger to Conner Dalry. Evinger surpassed 1,000 yards for the season.
MERIDIAN 35, BELLINGHAM 7: Meridian (5-4), continuing to play for a winning record, pulled away from a 14-7 halftime lead with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter at Civic Stadium. They were runs of 53 and 35 yards by Josh Elmer, who ran for a personal best 206 yards on 14 carries and improved his TD total to nine, along with Landen Downey’s 41-yard pick six.
Sophomore quarterback Jaeger Fyfe threw touchdown passes of 29 yards to Hunter Jones, his sixth, and 3 yards to Eli Jensen, who kicked all five conversions. Marcus Castaneda ran for 84 yards and Downey for 79
Logan Steeves gained 104 of the 131 yards rushing for Bellingham (3-6), which scored early on an 18-yard pass from Gabe VanHofwegen to Lucas Cousens, who had an interception along with Isaac Bates.
Terry Frost, Bellingham’s promising sophomore rusher and linebacker, sustained a concussion after leading the defense, as usual. He had a combined 26 tackles in his last two games.
“No. 9 (Steeves) ran very well for Bellingham, and I thought our offensive line played very well,” said Meridian assistant coach Webster Kurz.
Thursday’s games
SEHOME 32, LAKEWOOD 11: The Mariners (6-3, 4-3) continued to show they are one of the strongest teams not to make the 2A playoffs as senior co-captain Tommy Funk gained 161 yards on 21 carries to surpass 1,000 yards and scored on a 13-yard run.
Sophomore Andre Watson caught touchdown passes of 31 and 7 yards from freshman Nolan Wright and Carson Neff scored on runs of 25 yards. Watson, who caught six passes for 71 yards, has eight scoring catches and 12 touchdowns in all, along with a school sophomore receiving record. Wright surpassed 1,000 yards passing and increased his touchdown pass total to 12 with 7 for 11 accuracy for 87 yards.
Sehome had interceptions by Watson (his seventh), Max Malo and Kai Swanson to help the Mariners stay ahead after they jumped to a 14-0 first-quarter lead.
Sehome will play Cascade of Everett in a non-league game Friday at 5 p.m. at Civic Stadium.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY 42, SQUALICUM 3: Jason Retz recovered a fumbled punt to set up a 34-yard field goal by Kai Sonnon with the Cubs (7-2, 5-2) up 21-0 in the second quarter, but the Storm (4-5, 3-4) could come no closer.
Sedro limited Squalicum to 198 yards on a night with steady rain at Civic Stadium, including 94 passing by Josh Leonard and 66 rushing by Marcus Nixon, who left with an injury early in the second half.
The Cub amassed 380 yards, including 137 yards with touchdowns of 30 and 4 yards by Chance Supler, and 86 with scores of 1 and 2 yards by Austin Crossen. Junior quarterback Carsten Reynolds went 7 for 7 passing for 87 yards, with six to Jadyn Lee for 72 yards and a 25-yard score. Reynolds also scored on a 10-yard run and was not sacked.
“I was proud of how Mason Myers did some good things and (fellow senior) Nick Watt gave us all he had, as he always does,” Storm coach Nick Lucey said.
Lucey said Squalicum want to play a non-league game to end the season Friday or Saturday, but their opponent has not been announced.
WEEK 10
Tuesday, Nov. 1
La Conner at Lummi, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 3
Three-way 1A playoff at Blaine, 5:30. Two state spots will be determined: Mount Baker will play Nooksack Valley, with the winner to state and the loser to face Lynden Christian for the other spot.
Friday, Nov. 4
Sehome vs. Cascade of Everett at Civic Stadium, 5 p.m.
Ferndale vs. Seattle Prep in State Round of 32 at Civic Field, 8 p.m.
Cedar Park Christian at Blaine, 7 p.m.
Meridian at South Whidbey, 7 p.m. (could be switched to Thursday).
Bellingham at Sultan, 7 p.m.
Friday or Saturday, to be determined.
Squalicum seeks a game.
Saturday, to be determined.
Mount Baker or Nooksack will play, depending on Thursday playoff results. If Lynden Christian does not advance, its season is over.
Byes — Lynden and the two survivors of Thursday’s 1A playoff.
This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Too many good Whatcom football teams, not enough playoff slots — Kansas tiebreaker ahead."
