Tag Archives: 1995

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #81 – 1995 Meridian Trojans

June 7, 2017 Tyler

RECORD: 10-3 – COACH: Bob Ames

LEAGUE: 4-2 (T-2nd Place in the WCL)

CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: State Semifinalist

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 27.6 – Allowed: 10.5 – Differential: +17.1

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 68, Granite Falls 0

Week 2: Meridian 25, King’s 0

Week 3: Blaine 6, Meridian 0

Week 4: Meridian 48, Nooskack Valley 8

Week 5: Lynden Christian 13, Meridian 7

Week 6: Meridian 48, Concrete 16

Week 7: Meridian 15, Mount Baker 0

Week 8: Meridian 29, Lakewood 6

Week 9: Meridian 41, Friday Harbor 8

Mini-Playoff Game: Meridian 23, Lynden Christian 7

State Play-in Game: Meridian 19, Chimacum 0

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Meridian 29, Montesano 20

State Quarterfinals: Meridian 21, Steilacoom 0

State Semifinals: Ridgefield 40, Meridian 9

After two non-league blowout wins, the ’95 Trojans lost two of their first three league games, and the chance to make the state playoffs looked grim. But, they came together as a team, rallied down the stretch and surprised everyone, (except maybe themselves) as they rolled on all the way to the Tacoma Dome before losing to the eventual state champion Spudders from Ridgefield.

Senior Chris Kelly began the season as the starting quarterback, and he completed 34 passes for 493 yards and five touchdowns. But, by mid-season, junior Jeb Kratzig had taken over behind center. He was named All-League Honorable Mention and completed 76 passes for 1287 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also ran for 175 yards and four scores.

Senior running back Gabe Matheson was the Trojan workhorse, rushing for 846 yards (6.7 average) and 14 touchdowns on his way to an All-League 1st Team selection. Junior Travis Patterson nabbed All-League Honorable Mention honors, rushing for 433 yards (5.3) and three touchdowns. Seniors Greg Flockoi and Marshall Watson ran for 331 and 263 yards, respectively.

Seniors Shane Stacy, P.J. Trompeter and Art Downs rounded out the wide receiving corps. Stacy ran nearly perfect routes, and led Meridian with 34 receptions for 483 yards (14.2) and two touchdowns. Trompeter showed off his track speed, catching 20 passes for 412 yards (20.6) and three scores. Downs worked the slot, hauling in 10 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Stacy was named All-League 1st Team, Trompeter was All-League 2nd Team, while Downs was an All-League Honorable Mention selection. Senior Brian Paxton put up huge numbers at tight end, catching 28 passes for 404 yards (14.4) and nine touchdowns. He was named All-League Honorable Mention.

The senior-laden offensive line was led by Michael Ames who stood out from his guard position, and was named both All-League 1st Team and All-State 1st Team. Seniors Kurt Ingram (All-League 1st Team), Josh Robson (All-League 2nd Team) and Ruben Perez (All-League Honorable Mention) all had standout seasons.

The junior trio of Steve Bernardy, Trevor Corzine and Kelly Smith on the defensive line proved to be a nightmare for opposing backfields. Bernardy and Corzine were both All-League 1st Team picks, with Bernardy also being named All-State 2nd Team. Smith was named All-League 2nd Team, and they were joined on the line by Ames who was named All-League Honorable Mention. Paxton led the linbacking corps, and was named All-League 1st Team. Watson was named All-League 2nd Team, while Flockoi and Nate Bouma were each All-League Honorable Mention picks.

Adam Jensen, Trompeter and Matheson teamed to make up the best secondary in the Whatcom County League. Jensen and Trompeter were each named All-League 1st Team, and Matheson was All-League 2nd Team. Stacy was named All-League 1st Team at kicker, booting 19 extra points and a field goal. Junior Ryan Bauthues kicked 13 extra points and a field goal, as well.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #100 – 1995 Blaine Borderites

July 3, 2015 Tyler 17 Comments

RECORD: 9-2 – COACH: Jim Rasar

LEAGUE: 6-0 (1st Place in the WCL)

CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: State Quarterfinalist

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 21.6 – Allowed: 10.9 – Differential: +10.7

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: King’s 23, Blaine 6

Week 2: Blaine 40, Lakewood 6

Week 3: Blaine 6, Meridian 0

Week 4: Blaine 33, Granite Falls 0

Week 5: Blaine 13, Mount Baker 10

Week 6: Blaine 21, Friday Harbor 13

Week 7: Blaine 14, Concrete 6

Week 8: Blaine 21, Lynden Christian 14

Week 9: Blaine 42, Nooksack Valley 0

State Playoffs: Round One: Blaine 28, King’s 7

State Quarterfinals: Ridgefield 41, Blaine 14

The 1995 Borderites had a very strong core of seniors that were leaned on heavily, and they delivered the school it’s first playoff appearance since the 1978 state championship team.

Leading the way was senior quarterback, Travis Thayer. He completed 58 passes for 632 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for three scores, and although his numbers weren’t outstanding, his leadership was unmatched. He made key plays in key situations, scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime against Meridian, completing the game-winning touchdown pass on fourth down in overtime against Mount Baker, as well as playing hurt throughout the year. Because of all that, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the league. He also had a great pair of senior running backs to rely on. Colby Dixon led the team with 917 yards rushing (6.6 average) and eight touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 46 yards (6.6) and a score, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Will Wright also had a big year, rushing for 748 yards (5.3) and six touchdowns. He caught seven pass as well, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Tony Gobbato and sophomore Lane Scheib proved to be valuable backups. Gobbato gained 251 yards on the ground (5.6), and Scheib had some real big-play ability, rushing for 167 yards (8.0) and four touchdowns.

The running game was the definite strength on offense, but they did have some nice weapons through the air when they needed it. The main weapon was senior tight end, Tony Harriman. Not only was he an aggressive blocker, but he had great hands, and made big plays after catching the ball. He totaled 25 receptions for 319 yards (12.8) and five touchdowns, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Anthony Newell split time between wide receiver and tight end, based on the formation, and hauled in 10 passes for 157 yards (15.7) and a score. Senior Mike Miller and sophomore Greg Wright each caught five passes.

The offensive line was athletic, determined, and had been together for a while, especially the guard/tackle combination of seniors Dan Burden and Jay Dodd. It was their third year starting next to each other on the offensive line, and when they ran quick pitch to their side, and those two came pulling out…. that cornerback better look out. Burden was masterful, and although he wasn’t the biggest lineman (6-0 195), he had tremendous strength and ability. Dodd had great size (6-0 250), and was extremely athletic for his size. Both players were named All-League 1st Team. They were joined by senior Bob Woods at center, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Also, senior Matt Aller enjoyed a great season on the line, and was named All-League Honorable Mention.

The Borderites defense was the calling card for their undefeated run through the Whatcom County League. On the defensive line, Will Wright’s unbelievable quickness at nose tackle led him into the opposing team’s backfield many times. He was named All-League 1st Team. Junior Rob Mathey and Dodd were also stout on the line, and were each named All-League Honorable Mention.

It’s nice to have a pair of state-champion wrestlers playing linebacker for you, if they know how to play football. And these guys did! Burden stood out at inside linebacker, and was in on many plays from sideline to sideline. Not only was he named All-League 1st Team, but he was also chosen as an All-State 1st Teamer. Harriman joined him, and was also named All-League 1st Team, but his technique was a little different. The three-time state champion wrestler looked like he was competing at the annual Ferndale Takedown Tournament. If he got a hold of the opposing player with the ball, he was going to be taken down, and if he was getting blocked, he was going to take him down as well. Both players also came up with a pair of interceptions.

Newell played great at safety, delivering big hits, and he also intercepted four passes. He was named All-League 2nd Team. Greg Wright played well in the secondary as well, intercepting a team-high five passes, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Miller also intercepted three passes, and had a touchdown return called back due to a penalty. Juniors Newt Bouma and Dwayne Magnusson offered support to the secondary, each intercepting a pass.

Harriman handled both the kicking and punting duties. He made 20 extra poitns, and averaged 32.6 yards per punt, and was named All-League 2nd Team at punter. Miller returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Lakewood, and Newell handled the punt returns.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #101 – 1995 Lynden Lions

July 2, 2015 Tyler 16 Comments

RECORD: 7-2 – COACH: Curt Kramme

LEAGUE: 3-2 (3rd Place in the NWL)

CLASSIFICATION: AA – PLAYOFFS: None

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 34.3 – Allowed: 14.3 – Differential: +20.0

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Lynden 35, Roosevelt 15

Week 2: Lynden 42, Lake Stevens 24

Week 3: Lynden 47, Vashon Island 6

Week 4: Lynden 35, Centralia 19

Week 5: Lynden 48, Bellingham 21

Week 6: Anacortes 24, Lynden 21

Week 7: Lynden 47, Sedro Woolley 6

Week 8: Ferndale 14, Lynden 3

Week 9: Lynden 31, Burlington-Edison 0

The 1995 Lions weren’t a playoff team, but they were still a great team. The could run the ball, they could pass the ball and they played unbelievable defense.

Quarterback Matt Wall had a tremendous senior season. He completed 69 passes for 1024 yards and 11 touchdowns to only five interceptions. He was also a major threat on the ground, rushing for 244 yards (4.7 average), three touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. He also had a great tailback to hand the ball off to in senior, John Hilt. When speaking about great Lynden running backs of the 90’s, names like Noteboom, Wall and Ellis seem to be mentioned. But, you can’t overlook how great Hilt was. He ran for 1021 yards (an unbelievable 8.4 average), 11 touchdowns, while catching four passes for 75 yards (18.8) and a score. He was an easy choice for All-League 1st Team. Nipping at his heels was a great junior back, Nick Ellis. He ran for 461 yards (8.0) and seven touchdowns. Leading the way for these tailbacks was the powerful junior fullback, Ben Elenbaas. He cleared the path for both backs, and he supplied some bruising running of his own, gaining 352 yards (6.4) and five touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Michael Nyhoff was the top target for the Lions, catching a team-high 30 passes for 469 yards (15.6) and one touchdown, on his way to being named All-League 2nd Team. A pair of underclassmen tight ends also made their presence known. Sophomore Dominic Alexander caught 19 passes for 234 yards (12.3) and three touchdowns, and was also named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Brad Heppner made some huge plays, catching six passes for 146 yards (24.3) and four touchdowns. He was named All-League Honorable Mention.

The offensive line had some “Grade A” beef up front, opening up huge holes for the Lion offense. A couple of Chris’s led the blocking up front. Junior Chris Polinder (6-1 230) was as good as it got at guard. He was an All-League 2nd Team selection, but he was named All-State 1st Team. Senior tackle Chris Boyd (6-2 250) was massive, and strong. He was an All-League 1st Team pick. They were joined on the line by seniors Josh Nipges (5-11 245) and Michael Costanti (5-11 170). Both players were named All-League Honorable Mention.

The defense did a lot of great things in 1995, one of them was holding Ferndale’s All-State running back Ash Perrin to just 57 yards on 17 carries. Perrin ran for over 2000 yards that season, the first player in Whatcom County history to do so. The defensive line was led by 280-pound senior, Trevor Kleindel. He was named All-League 1st Team and finished with 43 total tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. He was joined up front by Polinder, who had 29 total tackles, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Also on the D-Line was the 200-pound sophomore, Alex Jimenez. He amassed 34 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and one forced fumble. Polinder and Jimenez were each named All-League Honorable Mention.

A pair of underclassmen led the linebacking corps. Junior Kyle Van Dyk (6-1 180) had a big year, with 77 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery. Sophomore Dante Alexander had 54 total tackles, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one interception. Both players were named All-League Honorable Mention.

The secondary was loaded with talent, and it was led by the heart and soul of the entire defense. Hilt was outstanding at his strong safety position, with 63 total tackles, six tackles for loss, one blocked kick, and he returned an interception for a touchdown. Ellis was a great cornerback, finishing with 37 total tackles, five passes broken up and one interception. Both players were named All-League 1st Team. Heppner was great at free safety with his 6-foot-4 height. He had 53 total tackles, four passes broken up, one interception and one forced fumble. He was an All-League 2nd Team pick. The other corner was a new guy on the scene….. freshman, Ryan Van Diest. He finished with 33 total tackles, eight passes broken up, one interception and one tackle for loss, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention.

Sophomore toe-puncher Jon Lange proved to be a very valuable kicker. He made 31 extra points, two field goals and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Ellis returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the opening game of the season.

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