LYNDEN – It was a game of experienced upperclassmen against a lot of first-year varsity players, and it showed, as Lynden Christian remained undefeated on the season by beating Blaine 41-0 at home on Friday night.
The Borderites sustained a long drive to open the game, which took most of the first quarter, but were turned away in the redzone when they couldn’t convert on fourth down.
The Lyncs came back with a run-heavy drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown run by junior Chris Kooiman. It was the first of four touchdowns that Lynden Christian would score in the second quarter.
Senior quarterback Eli Maberry found senior wide receiver Boyce Robertson on an 11-yard touchdown pass, and on the play Robertson became the first player in school history to surpass 1,500 career receiving yards, one week after becoming the first player in school history with 20 career touchdown receptions.
Kooiman then plunged in from eight yards out, and Maberry and Robertson hooked up again just before halftime on a 55-yard pitch and catch.
The second half began with a strong 40-yard run by LC senior Treyson Johnson, which elated his teammates on the near sidelines. Two Johnson runs later and the 225-pound running back bowled into the endzone.
Senior cornerback Jaxon Huleatt intercepted a pass later in the third quarter and returned it 58 yards, which set up another touchdown pass by Maberry, this time on a 4-yard out to Huleatt. It was Maberry’s 49th career touchdown pass, which broke the school record of 48, which was held by Lucas Roetcisoender and stood for 10 years.
Lynden Christian’s defense was led by junior outside linebacker Kaden Veldman who had 6.5 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one pass broken up, he was joined by senior defensive lineman Judah Calvin who had six tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks.
Blaine’s defense was led by junior outside linebacker Peyton Bouma who had seven tackles and a pass broken up.
The Lyncs (5-0) will face a huge test on Friday when they host Sehome (3-2) at 7:00. The Borderites (1-4) will be back home on Friday night to take on Nooksack Valley (2-3) at 7:00.
Lynden Christian 41 Blaine 0 BLA 0 0 0 0 - 0 LC 0 28 13 0 - 41 LC - Kooiman 15 run (Yun kick) LC - Robertson 11 pass from Maberry (Yun kick) LC - Kooiman 8 run (Yun kick) LC - Robertson 55 pass from Maberry (Yun kick) LC - Johnson 4 run (kick failed) LC - Huleatt 4 pass from Maberry (Yun kick)
BLA LC 28-24 Rush Att-Yards 21-190 13-28-2 Comp-Att-Int 11-14-0 130 Passing Yards 162 Individual Leaders RUSHING - BLA: C. Brown 19-17, Kerwin 8-7, Heer 1-0. LC: Kooiman 9-103, Johnson 5-61, Hintz 5-23, VanLoo 2-3. PASSING - BLA: C. Brown 13-28-2-130. LC: Maberry 9-11-0-147, Hintz 2-3-0-15. RECEIVING - BLA: Kerwin 5-41, P. Bouma 3-23, Candanoza 2-50, L. Brown 1-13, I. Bouma 1-9, Heer 1-(-6). LC: Robertson 4-101, Kamphouse 4-42, Herwerden 1-10, Penner 1-5, Huleatt 1-4.
