Lynden quarterback Brant Heppner is putting up numbers unmatched in school history
Brant Heppner is so fond of football that the Lynden junior quarterback studies film and writes a comprehensive game plan to compare with that scripted by coach Blake Van Dalen.
“I love that about Brant, really enjoy talking about our game plan ideas,” Van Dalen said. “He’s always willing to do whatever it takes. He really knows the game.”
When a coach from Montana State recently visited the school to talk with Heppner, Van Dalen was impressed with his quarterback’s unselfishness.
“Brant brought over our exceptionally fast sophomore wide receiver, Dani Bowler, and told the coach, ‘This is a guy you’ll want to get to know.’ ” Van Dalen said. “Brant is just a great kid.”
Heppner, at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, likely will continue to attract the interest of numerous college football and basketball coaches.
“I haven’t made up my mind about which sport I will play,” he said. “I’m not really thinking about college now. I do think I’d like to play in the West, somewhere my family can see me play. For now, I’m just enjoying being with my teammates and my coaches.
“And I really feel lucky to grow up in this community. I will always remember how much our youth coaches have helped us, and how much our community supports us.”
Heppner, a third generation Lynden High School basketball standout, became one of the few sophomores in state history to play major roles in state championships in both of his sports. Now he wants to repeat and, as a junior, also can dream of a personal three-peat.
“You know, the more intense and pressure-packed a situation gets, the calmer Brant gets,” Van Dalen said.
Heppner attracted major college interest as a sophomore. That especially developed when he guided the Lions 80 yards on 19 plays in eight minutes, setting up his own game-winning touchdown with a minute to play — his third of the game — in Lynden’s 31-24 win over North Kitsap in last year’s Class 2A championship game.
Everyone was also intrigued Sept. 22 when he completed 10 of 13 passes for 89 yards in the last 2:12 to win 29-28 at Sedro-Woolley in a crucial Northwest Conference game. He found Brady Elsner for a 2-yard touchdown pass with no time left and threw a perfect pass to Bowler for a game-winning two-point conversion.
“I always try to stay calm,” Heppner said, stressing the importance of that quality.
“Brant can make all the throws, but where’s he’s really strong is in making good decisions,” Van Dalen said.
Heppner feels he’s been extremely fortunate to have two football-playing brothers at Lynden: Bret, a lineman who last played in 2016 as a senior, and Brock, a quarterback/receiver who ended his career in 2019 and now coaches at Lynden.
“I just love those Xs and Os,” Heppner said of his fondness for game plans and tactics.
Heppner’s father, Brian Heppner, graduated from Lynden in 1991 and is now an assistant basketball coach. He played hoops at Seattle Pacific University and Skagit Valley College. Heppner’s mother, Sally, is a member of Lynden Christian’s Class of 1992 and was an outstanding three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball.
The Heppner family has a huge fan in grandfather Howard Heppner, a 1962 Lynden graduate who earned All-American basketball honors at Seattle Pacific.
Brant appreciates what an imposing well of advice they all offer in both sports.
Heppner appreciates the depth of Lynden’s offensive line. Bennett Roorda and Kuyper Assink started on both the 2021 and 2022 state championship teams. (Brant played on the C team two years ago but was inspired to suit up as a freshman for the state playoffs.)
Blake Holman, a 270-pound junior, has contributed greatly this season. In all, because of injuries, the seven offensive linemen who have started also include junior Ryan Van Berkum, sophomore Carter Vrieling, freshman Zach Dykstra and sophomore Logan Ostry.
Brant set the offseason tone in the weight room, Van Dalen said, and threw all summer in informal workouts among friends to Bowler and much-improved senior receivers Elsner, Cooper Moore, Isaiah Oudman and Weston Van Dalen. All five played key pass-catching roles in the game-winning drive against Sedro-Woolley.
“Everyone worked hard in the off-season,” said Heppner, who threw Elsner’s first six career touchdown catches in a three-game span.
“Brady doesn’t shy away from big moments,” Heppner said, while adding that is true of all his receivers.
Heppner is on pace to pass for more yards and produce more touchdowns than anyone in Lynden history. While splitting time last season with graduated Kaedan Hermanutz, Heppner passed for 966 yards, completing 56 of 87 passes for 966 yards and 10 touchdowns while also running for 10 scores. In the first six games this season, he is 72 for 140 for 14 touchdowns and his only three interceptions in 19 career games. He has run for eight scores, giving him 42 touchdowns produced in two seasons.
“I see myself as a passer but I’m also a willing runner,” Heppner said.
Heppner also now receives tips from former Lions quarterback Baylor Ayres, who last month suffered a season-ending injury at Orange Coast College in Southern California. He is now a Lynden volunteer coach.
If Lynden (5-1) beats Burlington-Edison on Saturday and Lakewood in Week Eight, and if Anacortes wins its next two games against Squalicum and Burlington, the Seahawks and Lions will play at Lynden in Week Nine for the title. Because Lynden and Anacortes hold all the tiebreakers, Van Dalen noted that if both teams win this week, they will be assured of the league‘s two playoff spots. Those two teams will be assured byes in Week Ten to rest up for the state-opening Round of 16 in Week Eleven.
WEEK SEVEN
Friday
Mount Baker at Nooksack Valley, 7 p.m.
Mount Vernon at Ferndale, 7 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Meridian, 7 p.m.
Bellingham at Blaine, 7 p.m
Squalicum at Anacortes, 7 p.m.
Archbishop Murphy vs. Sehome at Civic Stadium, 7 p.m.
Quilcene at Lummi, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Burlington-Edison at Lynden, 7 p.m.
