RECORD: 7-3  –  COACH: Bob Ames

 LEAGUE: 6-2 (3rd Place in the NCC)

 CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 41.5 – Allowed: 14.9 – Differential: +26.6

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 52, Sultan 6

Week 2: Meridian 66, South Whidbey 6

Week 3: Meridian 34, Blaine 0

Week 4: Meridian 62, Granite Falls 0

Week 5: Meridian 42, Tacoma Baptist 24

Week 6: Nooksack Valley 24, Meridian 23

Week 7: Meridian 67, Lakewood 13

Week 8: Meridian 28, Mount Baker 0

Week 9: Lynden Christian 27, Meridian 20

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Elma 49, Meridian 21

The 2001 Trojans were coming off of two straight appearances in the state championship game, one of which they won. Although many of the great players had graduated from those teams, a few remained, and some new great players were born.

One of those great players was senior quarterback, Mark Simmons. He had a huge season, completing 122 passes for 1651 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also ran for 324 yards (6.8 average) and seven touchdowns on his way to being named All-League 1st Team. He also handed off to one of the best running backs in school history. Junior Jesse Alderson enjoyed a breakout season, rushing for 1294 yards (9.1) and 20 touchdowns. He was named All-League 1st Team, the League’s Offensive Player of the Year and was also selected All-State 1st Team. Fellow junior Colin Morris joined him in the backfield, and was also split out wide many times. He ran for 403 yards (7.0) and four touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 177 yards (8.9) and two touchdowns, and was named All-League 2nd Team as a wide receiver. Sophomores Cody Bowden and Brady Emmons also contributed with 168 yards and 118 yards, respectively.

Senior Sean McKinnon was a big play threat at wide receiver, and he caught 20 passes for 346 yards (17.3) and a team-high seven touchdowns. Opposite of McKinnon was senior receiver, Jon Murray. He caught a team-high 31 passes for 346 yards (11.2) and one touchdown, and was named All-League 1st Team. Junior tight end Willie Wantz (6’4″) was a big target, and he made big plays. He caught 30 passes for 508 yards (16.9) and five touchdowns on his way to being named All-League 1st Team. Senior Michael Barrett also caught a pair of touchdown passes.

The offensive line was led by one of the best lineman in school history. Senior Mike Allinson fought injuries off his entire career, but still was able to dominate. After being named All-State as a junior, he was named All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row. He was joined by seniors Zac Nightingale and Pete Noel. Nightingale was an All-League 1st Team pick, and Noel was selected on the All-League 2nd Team. The Trojans averaged an amazing 7.4 yards per rushing play, and scored 37 rushing touchdowns.

Allinson led the charge on defense, and was named All-League 1st Team, and All-State 2nd Team from his defensive line position. Joining him upfront were Noel and Bowden, both of which were named All-League 2nd Team. Nightingale and Emmons locked down the linebacker positions, and were each named All-League 2nd Team. Murray led the secondary, and was named All-League 2nd Team, while McKinnon led the team with four interceptions.

Barrett handled the kicking, and connected on 37 extra points. Alderson had one of the best seasons in Whatcom County history as a kick returner. He returned 11 kickoffs for 388 yards (35.3) and two touchdowns, while he returned 10 punts for 209 yards (20.9) and three touchdowns.

RECORD: 8-3  –  COACH: Bob Ames

 LEAGUE: 7-2 (2nd Place in the WCL)

 CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 22.9 – Allowed: 9.7 – Differential: +13.2

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 21, Lynden 6

Week 2: Lynden Christian 14, Meridian 10

Week 3: Meridian 7, Nooksack Valley 6

Week 4: Meridian 20, Mount Baker 0

Week 5: Meridian 21, Blaine 7

Week 6: Lynden 29, Meridian 24

Week 7: Meridian 17, Lynden Christian 0

Week 8: Meridian 46, Nooksack Valley 12

Week 9: Meridian 23, Mount Baker 3

State Play-in Game: Meridian 41, Granite Falls 0

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Eatonville 30, Meridian 22

After making the state playoffs for the first time in school history in 1983, the Trojans made a run to the state championship in 1984. But, it took three years to get back to the postseason, and the ’87 team was loaded.

Behind center was the strong-armed senior, Todd Tutterow. The All-League 1st team quarterback completed 96 passes for 1557 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also ran for five touchdowns, and was named the League’s Offensive Player of the Year. He had the pleasure of handing off to some very talented backs, as well. Senior Frank Castaneda was a big-play threat every time he touched the ball. He ran for 713 yards (6.9 average) and eight touchdowns, and was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Art Mayshack had great speed, and tremendous strength at the running back position. He totaled 630 yards (5.1) and two touchdowns. He also caught 10 passes out of the backfield, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Brian Karber added 484 yards on the ground (6.0) and two scores.

6-foot-3 junior, Kelley Thrift, exploded onto the scene in 1987. Originally battling Tutterow for the quarterback job, he moved to wide receiver and dominated the rest of the league. He caught 37 passes for 775 yards (21.0) and seven touchdowns. He was named All-League 1st Team, and was also named All-State 1st Team. Senior wide receiver Chris Edmonds also had a good season, catching 21 passes for 225 yards (10.7) and two touchdowns. Fellow senior receiver John Coe caught on with 11 receptions for 175 yards (15.9) and two scores. Senior tight end Steve Haugen also had a big year with 18 catches for 271 yards (15.1) and three touchdowns.

The offensive line featured some amazing players as well. Converted fullback, junior Travis Bass was an All-League 1st Team pick as an offensive tackle, and he tremendous strength and speed. Junior Dennis Strickler was an All-League 2nd Team performer from his center position. Strickler was bookended by a great pair of senior guards, Bill Palmberg and Nathan Hull. Both were named All-League 2nd Team.

The defensive line was led by a pair of underclassmen. Junior Todd Pfannenstiel was small, but extremely quick and effective, and Bass teamed with him to cause havoc in the backfield. Both players were named All-League 2nd Team. Castaneda led the linebacking corps, and was named All-League 1st Team. The secondary was loaded with Edmonds, Thrift and senior Marc Urban. Edmonds led the team with seven interceptions, and was an obvious All-League 1st Team selection. Thrift picked off three passes, returning one of them for a touchdown, while Urban intercepted four passes, returning one for a score, and was named All-League 2nd Team.

Senior John Karuza was one of the best specialists of the decade. He booted 19 extra points and three field goals on his way to being named All-League 2nd Team as a kicker. He also averaged 32.2 yards per punt, and was an All-League 1st Teamer there. Pfannenstiel, Edmonds and senior Troy Linderman handled the kick returning.

RECORD: 10-2  –  COACH: Bob Ames

 LEAGUE: 8-1 (T-1st Place in the WCL)

 CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: State Semifinalist

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 25.3 – Allowed: 11.0 – Differential: +14.3

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 22, Blaine 0

Week 2: Meridian 38, Lynden 33

Week 3: Meridian 30, Lynden Christian 21

Week 4: Meridian 37, Nooksack Valley 12

Week 5: Meridian 16, Mount Baker 0

Week 6: Meridian 22, Blaine 6

Week 7: Lynden 35, Meridian 8

Week 8: Meridian 28, Lynden Christian 6

Week 9: Meridian 26, Nooksack Valley 6

State Playoffs: Round One: Meridian 38, Granite Falls 6

State Quarterfinals: Meridian 38, Toledo 0

State Semifinals: Lynden 7, Meridian 0

The 1988 season was a great one for the Trojans, following up an awesome 1987 campaign. After beating Lynden in week two, the only two losses all year came to those pesky Lions, the final one deciding who was going to play for a state championship.

Junior Victor Nelson took the reigns as the starting quarterback, and had a really good season. He completed 74 passes for 1395 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Nelson also had a great pair of running backs that had two different styles. Senior running back Todd Pfannenstiel had tremendous speed, and it was hard to catch him if he got out in front. He ran for 1158 yards (5.8 average) and 15 touchdowns, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined in the backfield by fellow senior, Travis Bass. At six feet tall, and 240 pounds, Bass was one of the biggest players in the league, but was also one of the fastest. He ran for 662 yards (4.9) and 10 touchdowns, and was an All-League 2nd Team selection.

Meridian has had many great wide receivers in its storied history, and the first truly great one was Kelley Thrift. He was tall (6’3″), he had great speed, great hands and he could jump. He was a mismatch problem for any team. He caught 35 passes for 672 yards (19.2) and eight touchdowns. Not only was he named All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row, he was also named All-State 1st Team for the second year in a row! Senior receiver Dan Bess lined up on the other side, and had a great year as well. He caught 18 passes for 423 yards (23.5) and three touchdowns, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Chris Garman contributed with 11 receptions for 157 yards (14.3).

The offensive line played awesome, and cleared the way for a lot of big plays. They were led by the man in the middle, senior center, Dennis Strickler. He was named All-League 2nd Team for the second year in a row, and was as dependable as they come. He was joined by fellow senior Chad Newton at tackle, and junior Jamie Weg at guard. They were also both named All-League 2nd Team.

The defensive line proved to be the strength of the Trojans, on defense. It was led by Bass, and fellow senior Casey Stock. Bass was not only an All-League 1st Team selection, but he was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, and was an All-State 1st Team pick. Casey joined him on the line, and put the “Stock” into stocky. At 5-10 and 225 pounds, he used his low leverage to get under his opponents, and was named All-League 2nd Team.  Junior Rick Ruzicka was an extremely hard hitter from his linebacker posistion, and was named All-League 2nd Team. The secondary was loaded as well, with junior Brett Schlembaker getting the nod as an All-League 1st Teamer. Thrift intercepted a team-high four passes, and was named All-League 2nd Team and Garman returned an interception 45 yards and was also a part of the All-League 2nd Team.

Bess also proved to be one of the best kickers around, nailing 27 extra points and six field goals, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Pfannenstiel and junior Kirk Palmberg returned the kickoffs while junior Scott Pfannenstiel handled the punt returns.

RECORD: 7-2  –  COACH: Bob Ames

 LEAGUE: 6-2 (3rd Place in the NCC)

 CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: None

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 39.8 – Allowed: 5.8 – Differential: +34.0

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 58, King’s 0

Week 2: Meridian 37, Nooksack Valley 3

Week 3: Meridian 74, Ocosta 0

Week 4: Meridian 26, Lynden Christian 7

Week 5: Blaine 21, Meridian 14

Week 6: Meridian 78, Sultan 7

Week 7: Mount Baker 14, Meridian 13

Week 8: Meridian 19, Lakewood 0

Week 9: Meridian 39, Granite Falls 0

The 1998 Trojans might just be the best collection of talent to not play in the post season. Even though they averaged nearly 40 points per game, and allowed less than a touchdown per game, they lost a couple of heart-breakers to league opponents.

Junior quarterback Jeff Bennum showed tremendous passing ability, completing 93 passes for 1415 yards and 17 touchdowns to only six interceptions. He also ran for six touchdowns, and was named All-League 1st Team. He handed off to senior Jarred Johnson who totaled 383 yards (5.0 average) and five touchdowns, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Matt Matheson also contributed on the ground with 355 yards (4.9), six touchdowns, and he was an All-League Honorable Mention selection.

Meridian also had a fleet of receivers that could put some major numbers on the scoreboard. Senior wide outs, Aaron Hayes and Bear Cochran, were both named All-League 1st Team, and they each caught a team-high six touchdown passes. Hayes finished with 41 receptions for 502 yards (12.2), and Cochran hauled in 19 passes for 320 yards (16.8). Junior tight end Jarrod Karuza had a knack for making big plays, catching 12 passes for 259 yards (21.6) and three touchdowns. He was also an All-League 2nd Team pick. Senior Josh Macomber and sophomore Eli Slesk each caught seven passes, and had one touchdown. Slesk was an All-League Honorable Mention selection.

The offensive line had a good mix of seniors and juniors, and became adapt to run blocking and pass blocking. Junior Allen Conway led the way, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Seniors Trevor Bosman and Matt Munger were also huge up front, and were each named All-League Honorable Mention, as was junior Jake Pederson.

The defense was flat out amazing. They allowed just 43 first downs for the entire year. They allowed 796 total yards. They held opponents to a 23.8% completion percentage, only 20 completions! The defensive line made numerous plays behind the line. It was loaded with Munger, seniors John Wantz and Spencer Crockett, and juniors Chase Schmidtz and Cale Mabbott. Wantz was an All-League 1st Team pick. Munger, Schmidtz and Crockett were All-League 2nd Team picks, and Mabbot was named All-League Honorable Mention.

Cochran led the linebacking corps, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined by Hayes, who was named All-League 2nd Team, and junior Jimmy Nightingale was an All-League Honorable Mention selection. The secondary was also loaded with numerous athletes. Senior Josh Randall and Macomber were both named All-League 1st Team. Bennum was named All-League 2nd Team, and led the team with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Nightingale, Hayes and sophomore Joel Pears also each returned an interception for a touchdown.

Randall was a slam dunk choice as the All-League 1st Team kicker for the second season in a row. He nailed 32 extra points, and had five field goals. Slesk handled the punting, and averaged 37 yards per punt, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Randall and junior Corey Culp handled the kick returning, and Slesk had a great year returning punts. He totaled 310 yards, and was an All-League 2nd Team pick as a returner.