Tag Archives: 1992

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #70 – 1992 Meridian Trojans

July 7, 2017 Tyler

RECORD: 10-2 – COACH: Bob Ames

LEAGUE: 5-1 (T-1st Place in the WCL)

CLASSIFICATION: “A” – Playoffs: State Semifinalist

POINTS PER GAME: 32.9 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 11.4

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +21.5

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 35, Nooksack Valley 14

Week 2: Meridian 35, Mount Baker 0

Week 3: Lynden Christian 21, Meridian 7

Week 4: Meridian 35, Lynden 13

Week 5: Meridian 28, Mount Baker 7

Week 6: Meridian 35, Nooksack Valley 8

Week 7: Meridian 42, Friday Harbor 6

Week 8: Meridian 63, Aldergrove (BC) 6

Week 9: Meridian 31, Blaine 14

Mini Play-In Game: Meridian 14, Lynden Christian 6

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Meridian 25, Montesano 17

State Quarterfinals: Meridian 35, Steilacoom 7

State Semifinals: Eatonville 27, Meridian 24

The 1992 Trojans were loaded with one of the best senior classes in Whatcom County history. They started 10 seniors on defense, had the best special teams in the county, and became the first team in Whatcom County history to score over 50 touchdowns in a season.

In his third season at starting quarterback, Bob Bennum had all the tools to lead this team. He completed 88 passes for 1338 yards and 16 touchdowns, to only four interceptions. He also ran for 420 yards (3.8 average) and seven touchdowns, and was an easy selection as the All-League 1st Team quarterback. He finished his career as only the second player in Whatcom County history to surpass over 3000 yards passing (Bellingham’s Sean Linville was the first).

The Trojans had a trio of horses in the backfield. Senior Rick Paxton got the bulk of the carries, rushing for 620 yards (5.6) and 12 touchdowns. Senior Nick Marino added 445 yards (5.6) and nine scores, while junior Patrick Ames had 364 yards (4.6) and seven touchdowns. Paxton was named All-League 1st Team, Marino was All-League 2nd Team and Ames was an All-League Honorable Mention selection.

The receiving corps was loaded as well, with a trio of seniors that complimented each other very well. Ty Harrison was smooth as silk, catching everything thrown his way, and he could change direction on a dime without losing speed. He finished with 44 receptions for 636 yards (14.5) and eight touchdowns. That made at five players on the team that scored at least seven touchdowns, which was the first time in Whatcom County history that had ever happened. Joey Simmons made huge plays, and had a great knack for breaking tackles. He caught 29 passes for 506 yards (17.4) and four touchdowns. Harrison and Simmons were each named All-League 1st Team.

Kurt Roy was a “jack-of-all-trades” kind of player, that was extremely dependable. Usually lining up in the slot, or at tight end, he caught 11 passes for 176 yards (16.0) and four touchdowns. He would be named All-League 2nd Team, and was most likely the best backup quarterback in the Whatcom County League.

Being a team that scored 55 touchdowns, the offensive line had to be great, and it was. It was anchored by third-year starter, senior Christopher Ames. The 5-foot-11 215-pound left tackle used his overpowering strength, to go along with his football knowledge, to manhandle his opponents. He was named All-League 1st Team, and was also named All-State 1st Team. He was joined by the perfect pair of pulling guards, seniors Josh Lehman and Jeff Crnich. Lehman had unmatched strength, to go along with his 4.8 40-time speed, and although Crnich was smaller in build, he was nasty and he had great technique. They were both named All-League 1st Team. Senior Kevin Van De Wege was named All-League 2nd Team at center, and senior Greg Vaughn was an All-League Honorable Mention selection as the right tackle.

The defensive line was led by Lehman and Crnich as the defensive ends. Meridian would generally get a two or three touchdown lead, forcing it’s opponents to throw, and that was when they got after it. Both were named All-League 1st Team. The interior of the defensive line was filled by Ames, and senior Jason Wiggins. Wiggins became the most improved player on the team throughout the season, and was completely dominant in the post season. Both players were named All-League Honorable Mention.

Simmons led the linebackers from his outside position. Almost a hybrid strong safety/outside linebacker, “The Python” had a knack for being around the ball, and making key plays. He was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined in the middle of the field with Paxton and seniors Greg Anderson and Rich Lane. Paxton and Anderson were named All-League 2nd Team, and Lane was named All-League Honorable Mention.

The secondary was loaded with Harrison, Bennum and Roy. Harrison was named All-League 1st Team, and was chosen as the Whatcom County League Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named All-State 1st Team. Bennum was chosen All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row, and Roy was an All-League 2nd Team pick. Harrison and Bennum each had five interceptions.

Harrison had a tremendous year on the special teams, doing almost everything. He was named All-League 1st Team at both kicker and punter, and was probably the best returner in the League. He kicked 39 extra points, and four field goals (including a 47-yarder in the playoffs). He also average 36 yards per punt, and rarely had a return attempted on his punts, because of the hang time he was able to put on the ball. He also returned 32 punts for 328 yards and a touchdown.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #97 – 1992 Sehome Mariners

July 6, 2015 Tyler 11 Comments

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.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #99 – 1992 Lynden Christian Lyncs

July 4, 2015 Tyler 16 Comments

RECORD: 7-2 – COACH: Dan Kaemingk

LEAGUE: 5-1 (T-1st Place in the WCL)

CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: None

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 30.0 – Allowed: 9.7 – Differential: +20.3

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Lynden 14, Lynden Christian 6

Week 2: Lynden Christian 34, Nooksack Valley 7

Week 3: Lynden Christian 21, Meridian 8

Week 4: Lynden Christian 41, Mount Baker 7

Week 5: Lynden Christian 42, Aldergrove, BC 0

Week 6: Lynden Christian 27, Blaine 0

Week 7: Lynden 21, Lynden Christian 6

Week 8: Lynden Christian 54, Friday Harbor 15

Week 9: Lynden Christian 39, Nooksack Valley 15

Mini-Playoff Half Game #1: Meridian 14, Lynden Christian 6

Mini-Playoff Half Game #2: Lynden 14, Lynden Christian 0

The 1992 Lyncs had a great offense, perhaps even a better defense, but the Whatcom County League teams were loaded. After an evening of mini-playoff games between all the teams that tied for the league championship, LC was handed the short stick and didn’t advance to the state playoffs.

Junior Grant Terpstra took over the reigns as starting quarterback, and they lefty put up some pretty good numbers. He completed 75 passes for 1224 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was also named All-League 2nd Team. Senior running back Jared Dotinga, who got a lot of playing time in the semi-finals the year before when Greg Terpstra went down, was the main ball carrier. The speedster ran for 905 yards (7.1 average) and eight touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Junior fullback Mike Apol was a tough runner, and he gained 250 yards (4.8), six touchdowns, and was an All-League Honorable Mention pick. Senior Sacha Estrada and junior Monte Bode were valuable backups, each rushing for four touchdowns.

LC’s double tight end sets left one wide receiver on the field, and usually that guy was the tall senior, Jason Van Hofwegen. The All-Leauge 2nd Teamer found the end zone frequently, catching 23 passes for 319 yards (13.9) and nine touchdowns. Senior tight end Joel Senti had great speed, and he caught 27 passes for 438 yards (16.2) and four touchdowns. He was named All-League 1st Team. The other tight end was senior, Robb Bouma. He made huge plays, catching 11 passes for 267 yards (24.3) and one touchdown. He was named All-League Honorable Mention. Senior wide receiver Duane Vermeer also had a good year, catching 10 passes for 135 yards (13.5) and two scores.

As was the “norm” in the early 90’s, the Lyncs’ offensive line was loaded. Senior guard Derek DeKoster and junior tackle Brian Matheis were both great, and were each named All-League 2nd Team. Junior center Ryan Brink was named All-League Honorable Mention, as was senior tackle, Jon DeJong. The Lyncs averaged nearly five and a half yards per run, and scored 24 touchdowns on the ground.

The defensive line was very impressive with DeKoster and Matheis. DeKoster was an All-League 1st Team pick, with Matheis garnering 2nd Team honors. The were flanked on the outside by DeJong and Bouma. DeJong was named All-League 2nd Team, and Bouma was an All-League Honorable Mention choice. The inside linebacker spot was filled by an animated tackling machine named Brian Roorda. The senior was an All-League 1st Team pick, and returned an interception 12 yards for a touchdown against Meridian. Senti was an All-League Honorable Mention selection at linebacker. The secondary was led by senior Kyle Brennan, and his team-high three interceptions. Junior Justin Meenderinck was an All-League Honorable Mention at defensive back, and he was a great tackler.

Estrada was the placekicker, hitting on 22 extra points. Bouma averaged 34.2 yards per punt. Dotinga was one of top kick returners in the league, averaging nearly 30 yards per return. Brennan handled the punt returns, and a great year as well, with a 16-yard average.