Mount Baker has produced numerous productive running backs over the years, and with head coach Ron Lepper’s expertise of constructing and coaching the offensive line, the offensive output has been staggering. Currently, senior Carson Engholm has shown his ability to thrive in Mount Baker’s “power run” offense. I tend to try and compare high school players with NFL players that I watched as a kid, and Engholm always seems to remind me of Marcus Allen. A lean-bodied glider that has power when needed, and has effortless speed when breaking away. He lined up as the traditional Wing-T fullback the past few years, and has been moved to the halfback position this season. His 2803 career rushing yards have put him into the Top 10 in school history, and he looks to surpass some legendary players that have worn the red and black.
The 1986 Nooksack Valley football team had a rough year. Let me explain how rough. In 272 offensive plays for the season they gained a total of 306 yards. A little over one yard per play. They didn’t even score a touchdown on offense the entire season. They went 0-9. They relied mostly on sophomores and freshman, which led to a state playoff team in 1989. However, they did have a pretty good defense, and scored two touchdowns on the season defensively. One of them was scored by junior linebacker, and current head coach, Robb Myhre! You can see that play below, against Coach Bob Ames and his Meridian squad.
It’s been a joy to watch games this year, but I get a little extra excited when I see a pass caught by Bellingham junior wide receiver, Spencer Lee. It seems that every time he catches the ball, something special happens. First off, he catches everything. And then he has amazing agility, and can make most tacklers miss. He also has great strength, and can break tackles, and he finishes it off with tremendous speed that allows him to break away from his opponents.
He’s quickly moving up the Bellingham career receiving yards list, and he could break it by the end of the year. And he still has another season to go! Red Raider legend (and former Seattle Seahawk) Brant Bengen has held the record for 36 years!
After missing week two and three, senior quarterback Nick Knutson was back in action last Friday night to take on the Borderites of Blaine. The Red Raiders won 36-35, and in that game Knutson did something that no other player in school history has ever done. He threw for over 400 yards. 403 yards to be exact. “Nippy K” sure was dealing on Friday night, as he also tossed five touchdown passes, tying his own school record from last season when he threw for five TD’s against Sehome.
The Sehome Mariners have improved this year, and they have been a fun football team to watch in 2017. Their exciting brand of play is led by their junior quarterback Michael Mindnich. I’m not 100% sure if he has to ice his arm after each game, as he’s been putting the pigskin in the air an awful lot. So much so that he’s on pace to break some school records! It almost seems to be a lock for him to break the Sehome record for pass attempts in a season, which is currently held by former Sehome standout Daniel Ziegler, who attempted 181 passes in 2013. Mindnich is currently at 139 pass attempts only four games into the season. What about the Sehome record for career pass attempts? That is currently held by Austin Rapp, who attempted 347 passes from 2010 to 2012. Mindnich sits at 233 for now, but he’s only a junior. The statistics below show where he currently sits on each list.
