RECORD: 7-2 – COACH: Birger Solberg
LEAGUE: 6-2 (2nd Place in the NWL)
CLASSIFICATION: AA – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 21.4 – Allowed: 15.0 – Differential: +6.4
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Sehome 25, Bellingham 6
Week 2: Anacortes 28, Sehome 14
Week 3: Sehome 23, Stanwood 12
Week 4: Sehome 21, Mount Vernon 14
Week 5: Ferndale 21, Sehome 20
Week 6: Sehome 21, Lynwood 14
Week 7: Sehome 13, Burlington-Edison 0
Week 8: Sehome 21, Arlington 12
Week 9: Sehome 35, Sedro Woolley 28
The 1992 Mariners had one of those great “turnaround” seasons, but came up just shy of making the playoffs. After a 2-7 season the year before, Sehome flipped the switch in ’92, to go 7-2.
At quarterback, senior Kevin Johnson beat out fellow senior Dane Hatch to be the starter. He had a great first game against rival Bellingham (Sehome defeated Bellingham for the first time in nine years), and continued to have an awesome season. He completed 41 passes for 615 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception. He also had a bevy of backs to hand to their Wing-T “Ground Birger” offense. Senior Cody Miller showed great moves, rushing for 669 yards (5.4) and one touchdown, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Scott Randall made the move from wide receiver to wingback, enabling the diminutive, but speedy, senior to get his hands on the ball more often. It paid off. He ran for 493 yards (6.2) and a team-high nine touchdowns. He also was the leading receiver with 17 catches for 322 yards (18.9) and seven touchdowns. He was named All-League 2nd Team, but the Bellingham Herald chose him as the League’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Senior James Murphy ran for 297 tough yards (5.0) from his fullback position. He also shared the position with sophomore Todd Zuehlke who totaled 384 yards (7.5) and three touchdowns.
The Mariners marched up to the line every play with awesome bookends on each side. Senior tight end A.J. LaBree was an All-League Honorable Mention performer, catching six passes for 119 yards (19.8) and one touchdown. On the other side was hulking junior, Josh Smith. He caught eight passes for 91 yards (11.4). Miller and fellow senior Shawn Huartson each also caught a touchdown pass.
The offensive line was a powerful strength for the Mariners. The leaders were junior Evan Ayres (All-League 1st Team) and senior Luke Raymond (All-League Honorable Mention). They were joined by Jake Beattie, Tyler Michaelson and Steve Griggs to push over the rest of the Northwest League, averaging almost five yards per carry and 17 touchdowns on the ground.
On defense, Smith completely terrorized opponents from his defensive line position, and was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Mark Simmons joined him on the line and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Griggs was a strong tackler, and was named All-League 2nd Team at linebacker. Randall was dynamic at defensive back. He was named All-League 1st Team, the League’s Defensive Player of the Year and was also chosen as an All-State 1st Team pick.
Junior kicker Brian Dehnert had one of the strongest legs in the league. He booted 19 extra points and two field goals. Raymond proved to be the best punter around, being named All-League 1st Team.
Luke Raymond