RECORD: 10-2 – COACH: Dan Kaemingk
LEAGUE: 5-1 (2nd Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: State Quarterfinalist
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 25.4 – Allowed: 12.0 – Differential: +13.4
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Lynden Christian 14, Sultan 7
Week 2: Lynden Christian 44, Granite Falls 0
Week 3: Lynden Christian 20, Mount Baker 7
Week 4: Lynden Christian 42, Friday Harbor 21
Week 5: Meridian 23, Lynden Christian 8
Week 6: Lynden Christian 22, King’s 21
Week 7: Lynden Christian 35, Nooksack Valley 3
Week 8: Lynden Christian 42, Blaine 28
Week 9: Lynden Christian 14, Concrete 6
State Play-in Game: Lynden Christian 21, Orting 0
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Lynden Christian 43, Forks 0
State Quarterfinals: Toledo 28, Lynden Christian 0
The 1996 Lyncs were back on track after missing the state playoffs the previous two seasons. It was traditional LC football, a big line, pound the ball, throw when needed and a swarming defense.
Junior Greg Dykstra took over at quarterback, after being the league’s leading receiver the year before. A true dual threat, he completed 71 passes for 1062 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 695 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also named All-League 2nd Team. Joining Dykstra in the backfield was one of the toughest running backs of the era. Senior Josh Elgersma ran for 873 yards (4.7 average) and 10 touchdowns, and caught 11 passes for 153 (13.9) and a score. He was also named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Joey Mellema added 474 yards on the ground (4.7) and six touchdowns, while senior Jason Engels rushed for 255 yards (5.7) and two TD’s.
Junior tight end Josh Parsons was on the receiving end of numerous Dykstra passes. He was the team’s leading receiver with 23 catches for 405 yards (17.6) and four touchdowns, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior wide receiver Rob Dykstra had great hands, and size (6’4″ 195), and caught 19 passes for 293 yards (15.4) and three scores. Seniors Darin Postma and Dan Boon each caught a touchdown pass as well.
Like I stated earlier, the offensive line was big. Not only that, but they were very good! It started with 6-foot-1 250-pound senior, Dan Lenssen. He was a big, strong mauler that cleared many lanes for the backs, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined by super-sophomore, Nick Scholten. He had all the tools, size (6’5″ 300), agility, strength, and he purely dominated. He was also named All-League 1st Team. Senior Joel Hoksbergen was also a great lineman, and was named All-League 2nd Team. The Lyncs totaled 2400 yards on the ground and ran for 27 touchdowns.
The “Big-Three” that dominated on the offensive line were huge threat on the defensive line as well. Scholten was named All-League 1st Team, Hoksbergen was All-League 2nd Team and Lenssen was All-League Honorable Mention. Senior Ben Corning was also named All-League Honorable Mention. Parsons manned the middle, and was named All-League 2nd Team at linebacker. Senior Jake Nelson made great plays stuffing the run, as well as getting to the quarterback from his outside linebacker spot, and was named All-League 1st Team. Postma also had a knack for making big plays, and was an All-League Honorable Mention pick at linebacker. Greg Dykstra led the secondary, being named All-League 1st Team, with Elgersma and Mellema each an All-League Honorable Mention pick.
Elgersma handled the kicking, and nailed 22 extra points. Parsons used his line-drive punts towards the sidelines to his advantage, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Mellema and Elgersma returned kickoffs, while Greg Dykstra handled the punt returns, bringing one back to the house against Forks in the playoffs.