VANCOUVER, B.C. – Last season was a different story for the Lynden Christian football team, which had numerous first-year starters, as it lost to Vancouver College at home to begin the season. The Lyncs made sure not to repeat the same mistake, as they traveled up north and defeated the Fighting Irish 42-16 at O’Hagan Field on Saturday afternoon.
After forcing a three-and-out to start the game, Lynden Christian promptly drove down the field and scored the first touchdown of the game, a 1-yard run by senior quarterback Eli Maberry.
Maberry then connected with his favorite target, and All-State wide receiver from last season, Boyce Robertson on a 12-yard touchdown pass, and the Lyncs led 13-0 after one quarter of play.
A powerful, 17-yard touchdown run up the middle by senior running back Treyson Johnson up the middle gave Lynden Christian a three-touchdown lead, and moments later it was Johnson making a huge play again as he blocked a punt, which set up another touchdown, this time a pass from Maberry to senior wide receiver Jaxon Huleatt from 12 yards out.
Vancouver College did score the final 10 points of the half on a 65-yard touchdown pass and a 25-yard field goal, but went into halftime down 28-10.
Maberry found junior tight end Kaden Veldman for a 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Johnson had one more big play left in him as he intercepted a pass from his inside linebacker spot, and returned it 33 yards. It set up Maberry’s fourth touchdown pass of the day, this time he found Huleatt once more on a 10-yarder.
It was the third time in Maberry’s career that he has thrown four touchdown passes in one game.
It wasn’t a complete air raid, however, as junior running back Chris Kooiman picked up 119 yards on 16 carries.
The Fighting Irish scored one last touchdown on a 68-yard interception return.
The Lynden Christian defense played a great overall game, and was led by Veldman who had seven tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble. Senior safety Gunner DeKoster also registered seven tackles, and senior outside linebacker Hayden Herwerden was in on four stops behind the line, including two quarterback sacks.
The Lyncs (1-0) will host North Kitsap (1-0) on Friday at 7:00.
Lynden Christian 42 Vancouver College 16 LC 13 15 14 0 - 42 VC 0 10 0 6 - 16 LC - Maberry 1 run (Yun kick) LC - Robertson 12 pass from Maberry (kick failed) LC - Johnson 17 run (Robertson pass from Maberry) LC - Huleatt 12 pass from Maberry (Yun kick) VC - 65 yard touchdown pass (kick good) VC - 25 yard field goal LC - Veldman 5 pass from Maberry (Yun kick) LC - Huleatt 10 pass from Maberry (Yun kick) VC - 68 yard interception return for a touchdown (kick failed) LC VC 30-138 Rush Att-Yards 27-20 14-25-3 Comp-Att-Int 13-30-1 201 Passing Yards 190 Individual Leaders RUSHING - LC: Kooiman 16-119, Johnson 4-17, VanLoo 4-3, Blankers 1-0, Maberry 5-(-1). VC: N/A. PASSING - LC: Maberry 14-23-1-201, Blankers 0-2-2-0. VC: N/A. RECEIVING - LC: Veldman 5-73, Huleatt 3-72, Robertson 3-24, Kooiman 2-23, DeKoster 1-9. VC: N/A.
