BY MAKAYLA SPARKS – For Whatcom Preps
FERNDALE – After making it through one of the toughest schedules in Washington State 2A football, the only thing that stood between the Lynden Lions and a trip to the state tournament was the Bremerton Knights. The Lions took care of that Friday night on the field at Ferndale High School with a 41-14 victory.
The Lynden defense forced an early punt, and senior running back Alvaro Mendoza-Batey powered 16 yards for the first touchdown of the game, on Lynden’s fifth play from scrimmage.
A half-minute later, the Bremerton offense lost control of the ball, and Lynden junior linebacker, Landon Tolsma, scooped up the fumble recovery on the Bremerton 20-yard line. Junior running back Malachi Koenen carried the ball 15 yards for the second score of the game, and with seven minutes still to go in the first quarter, the Lions held a 14-0 lead.
Lynden was just getting started with the big plays, as shortly into the second quarter, senior defensive back Brody Price picked off a Knights pass attempt on the 48-yard line.
Three minutes later, junior quarterback Lukas Lalji charged into the endzone, expanding the lead to three scores.
Junior running back Dawson VanDalen added his name to the score sheet at the 4:23 mark of the quarter by scoring on a 10-yard carry.
Things went from bad to worse for the Knights on the next drive when their punt landed in the hands of junior wide receiver Gordy Bedlington. Bedlington made his way through blockers, running across the field to the near sideline before finding an open lane and racing 67 yards for a touchdown. With that score, the Lions entered the locker room up 34-0 at halftime.
A short kick from Bremerton allowed Lynden to start the second half with good field position, and it wasn’t long before the Lions found the endzone again. VanDalen crossed the goal line from two yards out, giving Lynden a 41-0 lead.
With a running clock activated, the Lion coaching staff took their foot off the gas and turned to their bench to finish out the game.
Bremerton snuck into the endzone twice in the fourth quarter, but Lynden had already done the damage they needed and held on to the win.
The Lions (8-2) will find out their next opponent after the state tournament bracket announcement on Sunday.
Lynden 41 Bremerton 14 BRM 0 0 0 14 - 14 LYN 14 20 7 0 - 41 LYN - Mendoza-Batey 16 run (Mal. Koenen kick) LYN - Mal. Koenen 15 run (Mal. Koenen kick) LYN - Lalji 11 run (Mal. Koenen kick) LYN - D. VanDalen 10 run (Mal. Loenen kick) LYN - Bedlington 67 punt return (run failed) LYN - D. VanDalen 2 run (Mar. Koenen kick) BRM - 23 yard touchdown run (kick good) BRM - 5 yard touchdown run (2pt pass good) BRM LYN 33-152 Rush Att-Yards 32-211 10-26-1 Comp-Att-Int 7-10-0 71 Passing Yards 82 Individual Leaders RUSHING - BRM: N/A. LYN: Mal. Koenen 4-45, Simanu 3-42, D. VanDalen 6-40, Lalji 5-34, Mendoza-Batey 2-31, Postma 2-12, Bedlington 1-7. PASSING - BRM: N/A. LYN: Lalji 6-8-0-74, Bedlington 1-2-0-8. RECEIVING - BRM: N/A. LYN: Bowler 3-39, Arango 1-22, Bedlington 1-12, Price 1-5, Mar. Koenen 1-4.
