EVERETT – An already wounded Lynden team went on the road to face an Archbishop Murphy team that was excited to play another quality opponent, because it meant that the starters might get to play for than a quarter and a half.
The Wildcat starters did more than just play, they dominated in all three phases as the Wildcats shut the Lions out 56-0 at Terry Ennis Stadium on Friday night.
It was the first time since 2019 that Lynden had been shut out, and the first time since 2015 that it had happened in a conference game.
Archbishop Murphy scored in numerous ways three times on the ground, three times through the air, and twice on defense. The kicking game was also superb, as they nailed on eight extra points, and sent all nine kickoffs into the endzone.
The Lions put together their first big drive of the game late in the second quarter when junior quarterback Lukas Lalji found some space in the middle of the field, and let his legs do the work. However, punching the ball into the endzone from inside the 5-yard line eluded them as the Wildcat defense wouldn’t have it.
Lalji finished with game with 81 yards passing, and a team-high 79 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Junior running back Dawson VanDalen also had moments carrying the ball in the second half, and finished with 71 yards on 10 carries.
Defensively, sophomore cornerback Markus Koenen led his team in tackles with six, while he and junior Zach Dykstra each had a tackle for loss.
The Lions (5-2) will try to regroup on Friday when they travel to Lakewood (1-6) to take on the Cougars at 7:00.
Archbishop Murphy 56 Lynden 0 LYN 0 0 0 0 - 0 ATM 21 21 7 7 - 56 ATM - 32 yard touchdown pass (kick good) ATM - 55 yard interception return for a touchdown (kick good) ATM - 48 yard touchdown pass (kick good) ATM - 48 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 13 yard touchdown pass (kick good) ATM - 96 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 13 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 85 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown (kick good) LYN ATM 27-167 Rush Att-Yards 25-265 13-30-3 Comp-Att-Int 5-9-0 87 Passing Yards 145 Individual Leaders RUSHING - LYN: Lalji 10-79, D. VanDalen 10-71, A. Postma 2-11, Mal. Koenen 5-6. ATM: N/A. PASSING - LYN: Lalji 12-27-2-81, A. Postma 1-2-1-6, Bedlington 0-1-0-0. ATM: N/A. RECEIVING - LYN: Bedlington 4-32, Price 3-22, Arango 2-17, D. VanDalen 2-7, Williams 1-7, Tigilau 1-2. ATM: N/A.
