All-Whatcom state semifinal football game is a first since 1991 and both teams want 1st state title
Perhaps Colton Lentz feels so comfortable as an energetic sophomore leader at Nooksack Valley because, as he says, “It seems like I’ve had a football in my hands practically every day since I was born.”
That’s not such an exaggeration, since he began playing the game he loves with flag football in pre-school. In fact, he can’t remember when he and his father, Nooksack assistant coach Britt Lentz, weren’t throwing a little kid’s ball around.
Now Colton is what junior quarterback Joey Brown calls “a fundamental part of our team, a difference maker, our anchor” and what junior guard John Stremler dubs “our hype guy who really brings the energy.”
Lentz says that “I love to be loud and turn my nervousness into energy” in pre-game preparation from the time he puts on his uniform.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound running back/linebacker hopes to have more energy than ever when he and the No. 3 seeded Pioneers (9-1) meet No. 10 and surging Mount Baker (7-4) at 1 p.m. in the state Class 1A semifinals Saturday at Civic Stadium.
It will be a historic local state semifinals doubleheader at Civic. Defending state 2A champion and No. 1 seed Lynden (11-0) will put its state-leading 22-game win streak on the line against No. 4 Enumclaw (12-0) at 5 p.m.
Lentz calls it “just amazing” that he and the vastly improved Pioneers will be participating in the first state semifinals match-up of Whatcom County schools since the two Lynden schools met in 1991. Both the Mountaineers and Pioneers are bidding for a shot at their first state title since the playoffs began in 1973.
Not that he lacked faith in his teammates.
“I felt we had a good shot at this,” he said. “We have a lot of young talent and we‘re really focused.”
With only three seniors who start from scrimmage — Ryan Hughes, Thomas Abell and Bennett DeLange — the Pioneers may be as young or younger than any state semifinalist.
“Colton has always been a selfless workhorse,” said Nooksack coach Craig Bartl.
Lentz has played up to such praise, rushing for 335 yards and six touchdowns in Nooksack’s wins in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals — 37-13 over Riverside and 34-24 over Cashmere.
Yet he is surrounded by a quarterback, runners and receivers who have amassed another 619 yards for a two-game playoff total of 954.
“Against Cashmere, the holes were just massive,” said Lentz, who had 187 yards on a season-high 34 carries and three touchdowns. “Our linemen were so effective that they made me think my 30-something carries were more like 15.”
The lineman respect him in return.
“Colton is really mature. He hangs out with us. He always thanks the offensive linemen after every game” said Stremler, who starts along with fellow guard Duke Halaapiapi, tackles Brady Ackerman and Dalton Hickey and center Cian Coppinger-Carter. Adlei Whitworth, a 215-pound sophomore, also sees action on the line.
“Those guys are awesome,” Lentz said. “They’re some of my best friends.”
Lentz and Brown have combined to account for 40 of Nooksack’s 50 touchdowns. Brown has 22 scores combined passing and running and Lentz has 18 touchdowns, including 17 by rushing and one on defense. Lentz is the most productive sophomore in Nooksack history with more than 1,400 yards.
“I feel truly blessed with both my family and my teammates,” said Lentz, the son of Ella and Britt Lentz and the brother of Nooksack senior Taylor Lentz and fourth-grader Kensley Lentz. Taylor recently helped the Pioneers claim the fifth-place trophy at state 1A volleyball as a middle blocker.
“Kensley might turn out to be the best of us,” her big brother said, with the same expression of pride he shows in his teammates.
Colton started at linebacker as a freshman. He provided a hint of what was to come this season with an 85-yard touchdown run in Nooksack’s 15-14 opening win over Mountain View.
He has rushed for more than 100 yards in every game except the 81 he logged in Nooksack’s 30-7 loss to Lynden Christian in Week Six, when the Lyncs were ranked No. 1 in the state. But in the historic three-way 1A Kansas Tiebreaker playoff among tri-champions for two 1A state spots allotted to the Northwest Conference, Nooksack rebounded from a 6-0 loss to Mount Baker to eliminate Lynden Christian 3-0.
Saturday’s game has to be considered a toss-up. Baker has won four in a row since succumbing 28-20 to Nooksack and Lentz’s 204 yards rushing in Week Seven, including the Mountaineers’ impressive 35-20 win over previously unbeaten Lakeside Nine Mile Falls on the road in the quarterfinals.
“The players know each other and we have a lot of respect for Baker,” Lentz said. In fact, among the few county skill players rivaling Lentz and Brown are Baker running back Marcquis George and quarterback Landon Smith, along with an ever-improving line and backfield support on both sides of the ball.
Lentz, also a varsity basketball regular at forward, leaped like he does for rebounds when he nabbed his first interception of the season against Cashmere.
Lentz credits former Nooksack standout Tyler Perry and his Kadoo Athletics for providing the training he needs. Lentz’s father played at Nooksack, graduating in 1994, and spent four years at middle linebacker for Eastern Washington University.
“Dad and I talk football a lot and I love watching film with him. He really helps me understand what‘s going on and I learn so much,“ Lentz said. “My dream is to play college football. I would love to be able to play for a Division I team.”
STATE SEMIFINALS
(Divisions with Whatcom County teams)
All games Saturday, Nov. 26.
1A
No. 3 Nooksack Valley vs. No. 10 Mount Baker at Civic Stadium, 1 p.m.
No. 12 Freeman vs. No. 1 Royal at Lions Field, Moses Lake, 3 p.m.
2A
No. 1 Lynden vs. No. 4 Enumclaw at Civic Stadium, 5 p.m.
No. 3 North Kitsap vs. No. 2 W.F. West at Tumwater, 4 p.m.
3A
No. 3 O’Dea vs. No. 2 Eastside Catholic at Seattle Memorial Stadium, 1 p.m.
No. 9 Kennewick vs. No. 1 Yelm at Art Crate Field, 1 p.m.