RECORD: 7-3 – COACH: Rollie DeKoster
LEAGUE: 7-3 (2nd Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 17.5 – Allowed: 6.3 – Differential: +11.2
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Lynden Christian 8, Lynden 0
Week 2: Lynden 29, Blaine 0
Week 3: Lynden 12, Nooksack Valley 0
Week 4: Lynden 24, Mount Baker 0
Week 5: Meridian 16, Lynden 7
Week 6: Lynden 28, Lynden Christian 0
Week 7: Lynden 17, Blaine 7
Week 8: Nooksack Valley 18, Lynden 6
Week 9: Lynden 30, Mount Baker 14
Week 10: Lynden 22, Meridian 0
The 1976 Lions had an interesting year, all three losses were to teams that they beat in their other meeting against them, and they just missed the playoffs.
Lynden had a pair of juniors that split time at quarterback, Brent Rutgers and Rick DeGraaff. Rutgers completed 23 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns, and DeGraaff completed 15 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. Each QB also ran for a score. Senior running back Rick Honcoop ran for 194 yards and two scores. Senior John Felix ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore Mike Hill added 122 yards and two scores.
Senior receiver Steve Groen led the team in receiving with nine catches for 146 yards (16.2 average) and one touchdown, and was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Dave Kleindel caught five passes for 124 yards (24.8) and senior Lewis Seutz caught four passes for 96 yards (24.0) and a touchdown.
Senior Wade Bailey, although only 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, proved to be the best of the offensive lineman, and was named All-League 1st Team. The offense was very even, rushing for 697 yards and passing for 559 yards, and it scored 13 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Lions were amazing. They shout out each of the other five Whatcom County League schools during the season! Senior Randy Kraght (6-2 195) and junior John Van Ieperen (5-11 185) terrorized the line of scrimmage, and were each named All-League 1st Team. Honcoop was an All-League 1st Team selection at linebacker, as was Rutgers at defensive back. Bailey and Rutgers each intercepted a pass for a touchdown.
Junior Tom Lange was the league’s leading kicker with 12 extra points and four field goals, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Rutgers returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown against Meridian in the final game of the season.
Randy.