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.