BELLINGHAM – Cascade Christian came into the game averaging 300 yards passing and 250 yards rushing per game this season. The Cougars, though, were without starting quarterback Parker Johnson, and the Lync defense help Cascade Christian to just 59 yards rushing and 65 yards passing as Lynden Christian beat the Cougars 20-0 at Civic Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first shut out by the Lyncs in a state playoff game since the shout Foster out 35-0 in the first round of the 2001 state playoffs.
Senior Michael Gurr was inserted at quarterback for Cascade Christian, and after completing his first two passes the LC defense made passing an extreme difficulty for him. His next 12 passes were incomplete, and one was intercepted by junior strong safety Bryce Bouwman.
The interior pressure from defensive tackles Dylan Kaemingk and Zach Sipma rushed Gurr in the passing game, forcing errant passes, but the Cougar defense was strong, too. The Lycns were able to put a strong drive together in the second quarter, and junior running back Easton Stremler scored the first touchdown of the game from 15 yards out.
The score would remain 7-0 all the way into the fourth quarter. The size and strength of the Lyncs line wore down Cascade Christian up front, and a methodical drive of short passes by Trajan Schouten and tough running by Stremler and Levi Korthuis got LC to the 2-yard line. Senior Sam Faber, who usually lines up as an H-back, was inserted at fullback in the wishbone formation, and scored a powerful two yard touchdown to give the Lyncs a little breathing room.
Lynden Christian junior defensive back Jude Veltkamp intercepted a pass, and the Lyncs were looking to put the game away in the fourth quarter. But, a fourth-down play from the Cascade Christian 12-yard line caused coach Dan Kaemingk to call a timeout. After multiple runs, trying to run the clock down, it was Schouten going to the air on fourth down, and he found junior wide receiver Tanner Feenstra in the end zone. It was a terrific grab by Feenstra as both he and the defender caught the ball, but Feenstra was able to wrestle it out of his hands before the whistle blew in the end zone.
Junior linebackers Davis Gatterman and Will Faber also did a great job of handling the impressive run game of the Cougars.
Lynden Christian (9-2) will travel to Aberdeen this Saturday to take on Hoquiam (10-0) in the Class 1A state quarterfinals at 5:00.
Cascade Christian 0
Lynden Christian 20
CC 0 0 0 0 – 0
LC 0 7 0 13 – 20
LC – Stremler 15 run (DeRuyter kick)
LC – S. Faber 2 run (kick failed)
LC – Feenstra 12 pass from Schouten (DeRuyter kick)
CC LC
27-59 Rushing Att-Yards 42-147
7-26-2 Comp-Att-Int 16-22-1
65 Passing yards 106
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – CC: N/A. LC: Stremler 19-74, Korthuis 12-37, Corkill 4-33, S. Faber 1-2, Schouten 6-1.
PASSING – CC: N/A. LC: Schouten 16-22-1-106.
RECEIVING – CC: N/A. LC: Corkill 5-15, Sipma 4-36, Faber 3-20, Feenstra 2-22, Apol 1-15, Korthuis 1-(-2).
