Lynden Christian looks to take another step forward this fall

Now entering his fifth season as Lynden Christian’s football coach, Galen Kaemingk has improved his team each season.

From a two-win season, to a four-win season, to a six-win campaign, to last year’s six-win, .500-plus season, the Lyncs are ascending.

Could all that improvement manifest into a state playoff game that’s eluded Kaemingk since he’s taken over?

Time will tell, but there’s a lot reason to like Lynden Christian in 2015.

The Lyncs bring back eight seniors and 10 juniors, but the returners have quite a bit of starting experience, and it all starts with third-year quarterback Lucas Roetcisoender.

“If you do have one position where experience is good, that is one,” Kaemingk said of his QB situation.

Roetcisoender has progressed nicely each season, and the Lyncs will undoubtedly be relying on him, especially when it comes to moving the chains and protecting the ball.

“When we got in trouble last year was when we turned the ball over offensively, so if we can eliminate and cut down those turnovers (that will bode well),” Kaemingk said.

LC graduated key receivers, but Roetcisoender’s brother, Zach Roetcisoender, gives Lucas one of the better athletes in the Northwest Conference to throw to. Expect Tyson Cline, Nate Hielkma and Taiji Van Dalen to see targets, too.

Senior’s John-Mark Stromberg and Eric Vree headline an offensive line Kaemingk said has potential but lacks depth. Junior Kolton Korthuis returns varsity experience, and Joshua Jacobsen and Isaac Flluk could round out the Lyncs’ starting five.

LC graduated just about ever running back that logged a carry last season, so Kaemingk is hoping the trio of David Bladies, Gavin Mumford and Jordan Riddle can offer some needed production.

“We have to win the turnover battle, and we have to be able to run the ball,” Kaemingk said.

Defensively, Lynden Christian’s most talented grouping may be its linebacking corps, which is led by Lucas Roetcisoender, Nathan Wynstra and Bladies.

Bladies could emerge as a breakout player. Concussion issues prevented him from playing much last fall, but he’s big and fast and flashed his athleticism during track and field last spring.

Zach Roetcisoender highlights what will be a mostly reworked secondary, and Kyle Tiemersma, Stromberg, Vree and Korthuis solidify LC’s defensive line.

“Our defense has always done a good job of taking the ball away,” Kaemingk said.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Lynden Christian looks to take another step forward this fall."