Tag Archives: 1989

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #112 – 1989 Nooksack Valley Pioneers

June 21, 2015 Tyler 11 Comments

RECORD: 7-4 – COACH: Mark Venn

LEAGUE: 6-3 (2nd Place in the WCL)

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

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 26.4 – Allowed: 12.5 – Differential: +13.9

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Nooksack Valley 21, Lynden 0

Week 2: Nooksack Valley 14, Blaine 0

Week 3: Nooksack Valley 49, Meridian 21

Week 4: Lynden Christian 28, Nooksack Valley 26

Week 5: Nooksack Valley 42, Mount Baker 14

Week 6: Nooksack Valley 34, Lynden 8

Week 7: Nooksack Valley 33, Blaine 3

Week 8: Meridian 24, Nooksack Valley 21

Week 9: Lynden Christian 7, Nooksack Valley 2

State Play-in Game: Nooksack Valley 33, Granite Falls 13

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Charles Wright 19, Nooksack Valley 15

The seniors from the 1989 Pioneer football team had been through enough. Many of them were forced to play as freshman, and it wasn’t pretty. The 1986 team averaged less than one yard per play, and failed to score an offensive touchdown all season. Three years later, these guys were ready to right the wrong.

One of those seniors was quarterback Brandon Newell. He completed 65 passes for 1053 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran for 134 yards, four touchdowns and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Newell was joined in the backfield by a talented trio. Dave Longoria became the second sophomore in Whatcom County history to surpass 1000 yards rushing (John Locker was the first). He ran for 1004 yards (5.9 average) and 16 touchdowns. Senior Dale Johnson totaled 729 yards on the ground (5.4) and three touchdowns. Speedy sophomore Troy Slayton added 371 yards rushing (5.8) and five touchdowns, while being a huge factor in the passing game, catching 10 passes for 231 yards (23.1) and five more scores.

Nooksack Valley was a big, strong team in 1989, and rarely did it split anyone out into a wide receiver spot. But, why would you when you have possibly the best tight end tandem in school history with senior Mark Coppinger and junior Tom Ackerman. Coppinger caught 14 passes for 237 yards (16.9) and three touchdowns, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Ackerman hauled in a team-high 24 passes for 319 yards (13.3) and one touchdown, and he was an All-League 1st Team selection.

To along with strong blocking of Coppinger and Ackerman, the offensive line boasted a pair of big, strong kids that could hold their own against anyone. Senior Scott Myhre was an All-League 1st Team pick, and fellow senior Rodney Hayes (6-4 205) was an All-League 2nd Team pick. They were joined on the line by senior Landry Lawrence, junior Jeremy Neyens and sophomore Brian Pike.

Defensively, there was little that opposing offenses could do against the pass rush of Hayes. He lived in the backfield, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined up front by Myhre, who was an All-League 2nd Team selection. The linebackers were strong with Coppinger and Ackerman. Coppinger was an All-League 2nd Team pick, and Ackerman returned an interception for a 92-yard touchdown against Meridian. Newell was named All-League 1st Team at defensive back, and led the secondary with numerous interceptions. Slayton returned an interception 62 yards for a score against Lynden.

Newell handled the kicking duties and hit on 24 extra points. Slayton was the punter, and Longoria returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown against eventual league champion Lynden Christian.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #117 – 1989 Lynden Christian Lyncs

June 16, 2015 Tyler 10 Comments

RECORD: 9-2 – COACH: Gary Van Hulzen

LEAGUE: 8-1 (1st Place in the WCL)

CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: State Quarterfinalist

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 16.4 – Allowed: 9.8 – Differential: +6.6

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Lynden Christian 27, Meridian 6

Week 2: Lynden Christian 20, Lynden 3

Week 3: Lynden Christian 7, Mount Baker 6

Week 4: Lynden Christian 28, Nooksack Valley 26

Week 5: Lynden Christian 25, Blaine 7

Week 6: Meridian 24, Lynden Christian 14

Week 7: Lynden Christian 14, Lynden 0

Week 8: Lynden Christian 28, Mount Baker 8

Week 9: Lynden Christian 7, Nooksack Valley 2

State Playoffs: Round One: Lynden Christian 10, Forks 6

State Quarterfinals: Castle Rock 20, Lynden Christian 0

The 1989 Lyncs ended the decade of the 80’s with a league championship, and with a good-bye to Coach Gary Van Hulzen.

Senior Kevin DeYoung wasn’t your ordinary quarterback. He returned kicks, he doubled as the placekicker and he wore #29. But, he was also the League’s Offensive Player of the Year! He completed 96 passes for 1346 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing for two more scores. Joining DeYoung in the backfield were a trio of determined runners. Senior Brandon Van Soest was among the league’s leading rushers until his season ended early. He finished with 436 yards (4.2 average) and four touchdowns. Sophomore David Cowan was a pleasant replacement for Van Soest, and he ended the season with a team-high 490 yards on the ground (4.0) and three scores. Senior fullback Jon Van Hulzen ran for 298 yards (3.3) and two scores, caught 18 passes for 209 yards (11.6), and his blocking didn’t go unnoticed, as he was an All-League 2nd Team selection.

Junior wide receiver Jon Vander Griend had a great season for the Lyncs. He hauled in 31 passes for 475 yards (15.3) and nine touchdowns, and he was an All-League 1st Team pick. Senior receiver Trevor Veltkamp contributed with 10 catches for 164 yards (16.4) and a score. Senior tight end Chris Senti was an All-League 1st Team pick with 17 catches for 258 yards (15.2) and two touchdowns.

Senior David Rasmussen was the main man on the offensive line, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined another great senior, Ryan Likkel, who was named All-League 2nd Team. The Lyncs were about as even as you could get on offense. Rushing for 1376 yards and passing for 1346 yards, and scoring 25 total offensive touchdowns.

The senior leadership on defense was beyond amazing, with five players being named All-League 1st Team. Allowing under 10 points per game for the entire season (including two state playoff games), Van Hulzen was a beast at middle linebacker. Rasmussen and Senti each got nods from their defensive line positions while DeYoung and Veltkamp held their own in the secondary.

DeYoung kicked 19 extra points and one field goal. He also returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown against Mount Baker.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #141 – 1989 Ferndale Golden Eagles

May 23, 2015 Tyler 5 Comments

RECORD: 6-3 – COACH: Vic Randall

LEAGUE: 5-3 (3rd Place in the NWL)

CLASSIFICATION: AA – PLAYOFFS: None

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 18.9 – Allowed: 12.4 – Differential: +6.5

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Ferndale 27, Burlington-Edison 18

Week 2: Sedro Woolley 22, Ferndale 14

Week 3: Ferndale 17, Arlington 6

Week 4: Ferndale 14, Bellingham 0

Week 5: Ferndale 21, Anacortes 6

Week 6: Ferndale 50, Stanwood 13

Week 7: Mount Vernon 27, Ferndale 7

Week 8: Sehome 14, Ferndale 7

Week 9: Ferndale 13, West Van 6

The 1989 Golden Eagles might not have made the playoffs, but they were a great team. They had lost a lot of big-time players from last year’s team, but they still had a lot of talent. It was Coach Randall’s last team he coached before taking a four-year hiatus from Ferndale football.

If there ever was a “ground and pound” team, it was this one. In 1989, Ferndale ran the ball 418 times, and attempted only 26 passes! Attempting passes was senior quarterback, Jason Muggy. He threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Senior running back Lance Dawson was one of the best backs in the county. He led the Golden Eagles in rushing for the second consecutive season, gaining 898 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior Andrew Thompson put up nearly identical numbers, rushing for 802 yards and seven touchdowns. They were both named All-League 2nd Team. Senior James Jefferson also ran for 146 yards and a pair of scores. Thompson, along with seniors Jesse Salhus and Ron Miller, each caught a touchdown pass in the run-oriented offense.

The offensive line was led up front by senior Howard Johnson. He was named All-League 1st Team for the second consecutive season. The running game averaged 5.5 yards per play, and scored 19 touchdowns.

Muggy excelled defensively from his defensive back position. Not only was he named All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row, but he was also named All-State 1st Team. Jefferson also stood out at both defensive line and linebacker, being named All-League 1st Team. Johnson was also named All-League 2nd Team on the defensive line. Senior Daniel Hemmingson was named All-League Honorable Mention. Muggy and Thompson each returned an interception for a touchdown.

Sophomore Tom Phillips was named All-League 2nd Team at kicker, and he nailed 17 extra points and one field goal.

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