Tag Archives: 1997

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #52 – 1997 Meridian Trojans

February 11, 2018 Tyler

RECORD: 10-1 – COACH: Bob Ames

LEAGUE: 8-0 (1st Place in the NCC)

CLASSIFICATION: 2A – Playoffs: State Quarterfinalist

POINTS PER GAME: 35.8 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 7.5

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +28.3

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 45, King’s 0

Week 2: Meridian 31, Nooksack Valley 0

Week 3: Meridian 55, Ocosta 12

Week 4: Meridian 10, Lynden Christian 0

Week 5: Meridian 56, Blaine 6

Week 6: Meridian 58, Sultan 6

Week 7: Meridian 41, Mount Baker 28

Week 8: Meridian 34, Lakewood 6

Week 9: Meridian 37, Granite Falls 2

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Meridian 13, Port Townsend 6

State Quarterfinals: Eatonville 17, Meridian 14

The 1997 Trojans knew going into the season that they had to replace some major stars. Jeb Kratzig, Brian Williams, Steve Bernardy and Trevor Corzine just to name a few. The ’96 team was only one point away from making it to the state championship game, after tearing through the Whatcom County League undefeated. There were big changes in 1997. The Whatcom County League was gone, and the North Cascades Conference was born. There was also a re-classification that season, and the Trojans were now a part of the 2A ranks for the first time in school history.

Replacing Kratzig under center was senior Wade Koning. He was a big part of the offense his junior year, while playing tight end. He knew the offense well, and he knew who to go to with the ball. He completed 100 passes for 1744 yards and 15 touchdowns, and he was named All-Conference 1st Team. He was also second on the team in rushing with 249 yards (3.4 average) and nine touchdowns. He was backed up by sophomore Jeff Bennum, who completed 5-of-8 passes for 78 yards.

Throughout the 90’s, Meridian would focus on two-back sets, and a running quarterback. Spreading the ball around during the running game would always keep opposing defenses on their toes. However, in 1997, the Trojans relied heavily on Craig Jensen to carry the load. He ran for 1042 yards (6.1) and 15 touchdowns, and he was named All-Conference 2nd Team. Sophomore Chase Schmidtz ran for 171 yards (4.8) and two touchdowns, and Bennum (the quarterback of the near future) got some time at running back, and he gained 172 yards (6.6) and a score.

When Koning looked to pass, he often looked for Dominic Chambers. The 5-foot-10 senior was named All-State as a junior, and had perhaps a better season in 1997. He caught 54 passes for 1063 yards (19.7) and 10 touchdowns. All of those numbers broke single-season school records. He also became the first player in school history to catch over 100 career passes, and the second player in Whatcom County history to do so. He was named All-Conference 1st Team for the second season in a row.

Juniors Josh Macomber, Bear Cochran and Josh Randall were terrific compliments to Chambers on the outside. Macomber made big plays, catching 15 passes for 325 yards (21.7) and three touchdowns, while Cochran and Randall combined for 15 more catches and a score. Macomber was named All-Conference 2nd Team and Randall was named Honorable Mention. Senior tight end Aaron Claeys caught nine passes for 98 yards (10.9), and he was named All-Conference 2nd Team.

The offensive line was tremendous from tackle to tackle. The tackles were seniors Cory DePoppe and Ben Bender. DePoppe was smaller, but very athletic, while Bender was one of the strongest players in the entire county at 260 pounds. Both were named All-Conference 1st Team. Senior Kirk Grotzke (what a great name for an o-lineman!) and junior Trevor Bosman were the guards. Grotzke was named All-Conference 2nd Team while Bosman was an Honorable Mention selection. The Trojans also had the best center in the conference with senior Kyle Hathaway, who was named All-Conference 1st Team. This group led the way for Meridian’s balanced attack.

The defense shut out three opponents, and held five other teams to six points or less! The defensive line was led by it’s defensive ends, Hathaway and senior Sean Rowland. Both were named All-Conference 1st Team. Sophomore Cale Mabbott was a load in the interior of the defensive line, and he was named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

The middle of the field was patrolled by the “Aarons”, Clayes and Hayes. Claeys was named All-Conference 1st Team, and he intercepted three passes. Hayes, the junior, was small in stature but he made huge plays all season, and was named All-Conference 2nd Team. Koning and Jensen were the outside linebackers. Koning was named All-Conference 1st Team, and he intercepted three passes, returning them for a total of 90 yards and two touchdowns. Jensen was named All-Conference 2nd Team and he also had a pick, which he returned for 20 yards.

The secondary was led by Chambers. He intercepted a team-high six passes, returning one of them for a touchdown. He was also named All-Conference 1st Team. Cochran and Macomber joined Chambers, and they were named All-Conference 2nd Team and All-Conference Honorable Mention, respectively. They each intercepted a pass. Bennum and Randall also contributed in the defensive backfield, and they also each intercepted a pass.

Randall had an immensely powerful left leg, and he connected on 50 extra points and a team-record nine field goals. He also consistently put kickoffs into the end zone, and he was named All-Conference 1st Team. Cochran served as the team’s punter, and he averaged 34.6 yards per punt on his way to being named All-Conference Honorable Mention. Jensen returned kickoffs, averaging 17.5 yards per return, while Chambers returned punts, with over 200 yards and a touchdown.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #54 – 1997 Lynden Christian Lyncs

August 21, 2017 Tyler

RECORD: 11-3 – COACH: Dan Kaemingk

LEAGUE: 6-2 (3rd Place in the 1A/2A NCC)

CLASSIFICATION: 1A – State Playoffs: State Champion

POINTS PER GAME: 32.9 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 15.1

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +17.8

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Lynden Christian 40, Sultan 0

Week 2: Lynden Christian 20, Lakewood 12

Week 3: Mount Baker 28, Lynden Christian 15

Week 4: Meridian 10, Lynden Christian 0

Week 5: Lynden Christian 51, King’s 7

Week 6: Lynden Christian 37, Nooksack Valley 0

Week 7: Lynden Christian 49, Granite Falls 28

Week 8: Lynden Christian 48, Blaine 14

Week 9: Cleveland 57, Lynden Christian 55

State Play-In Game: Lynden Christian 26, Friday Harbor 0

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Lynden Christian 28, Toledo 9

State Quarterfinals: Lynden Christian 48, Tacoma Baptist 13

State Semifinals: Lynden Christian 21, Concrete 14

State Championship: Lynden Christian 22, Colfax 20

The Whatcom County League was transformed into the North Cascades Conference in 1997, and a lot of changes came with it. Sultan, Lakewood and Granite Falls entered the league. Gone were Friday Harbor and Concrete. All of the schools were bumped up to 2A, but Lynden Christian remained at 1A. LC played all the 2A schools in the new conference, losing to strong Mount Baker and Meridian teams. However, the Lyncs found a way to stay strong in the playoffs and win the state championship!

Leading the way was senior Greg Dykstra. His leadership, along with his passing ability and running ability, made him one of the best players in school history. The left-handed quarterback was named All-League 1st Team, completing 120 passes for 1596 yards and 16 touchdowns to only four interceptions. He also ran for 889 yards (5.2 average) and a team-high 23 touchdowns.

The Lyncs had a trio of running backs that Dykstra could lean upon when he wasn’t running the ball. Senior Erik Vanderpol led the way with 1119 yards rushing (6.2) and 12 touchdowns, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Tough running fullback Chad Bajema was also named All-League Honorable Mention, and the senior rushed for 645 yards (5.6) and eight scores. Speedy senior Joey Mellema battled injuries during the season, and still ran for 607 yards (6.1) and five touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Rob Dykstra was a major mis-match for most of the corner backs trying to cover him. At 6-foot-4 he produced a large catch radius for “The Greg”, so much so that he caught a school-record 59 passes for 733 yards (12.4) and eight touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Senior tight end Ben Blankers filled in for the injured Josh Parsons for the majority of the season, and he had 17 receptions for 287 yards (16.9) and three touchdowns on his way to being named All-League Honorable Mention. Senior Kevin Roosma caught 11 passes for 112 yards (10.2).

Parsons’ story is an incredible one. After two stellar seasons, he was poised to have a huge year as a tight end and inside linebacker. Unfortunately, a broken foot between week two and three kept him off of the field for the remainder of the regular season. But, the Lyncs kept winning as Parsons kept healing, and he was able to play a huge role in the state championship game. Bajema also proved to be a receiving threat out of the backfield, catching 19 passes for 268 yards (14.1) and five touchdowns.

The offensive line was loaded with talented, including one of the most talented lineman that Whatcom County has ever produced. At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, junior guard Nick Scholten was an incredible force. The All-League 1st Teamer and All-State 1st Team selection had tremendous athleticism to go along with his immense size. Chris Bouma also stood out from the other guard position, and the 6-2 215-pound senior was named All-League 1st Team. Seniors Mark DeJong (6-3 240) and Trevor Lankhaar (5-10 190) were both named All-League Honroable Mention. The offense put up over 5000 yards and scores 65 touchdowns!

Scholten also led the way on the defensive line, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined by Lankhaar who was named All-League Honorable Mention. Bouma was a main-stay in the middle of the field, and was named All-League 2nd Team at inside linebacker. Bajema secured the edge, and he was named All-League 2nd Team at outside linebacker. Greg Dykstra was named All-League 1st Team at defensive back, and he intercepted four passes for 83 yards. Rob Dykstra was also intercepted four passes, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Roosma intercepted a pair of passes, while juniors Seth Leavitt and Caleb Wagenaar each picked off a pass.

Rob Dykstra was named All-League Honorable Mention at kicker with 41 extra points and one field goal. That field goal being the game winner as time expired for the state championship! Bouma was named All-League 2nd Team at punter, averaging 35.3 yards per punt. Mellema and Wagenaar handled the kickoff returns, and Greg Dykstra was named All-League 1st Team at returner. He averaged 12.8 yards per punt return, and he returned a punt for a touchdown against Cleveland.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #89 – 1997 Mount Baker Mountaineers

July 14, 2015 Tyler 2 Comments

RECORD: 8-2 – COACH: Ron Lepper

LEAGUE: 7-1 (2nd Place in the NCC)

CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 32.9 – Allowed: 12.0 – Differential: +20.9

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Mount Baker 14, Blaine 7

Week 2: Mount Baker 48, Granite Falls 12

Week 3: Mount Baker 28, Lynden Christian 15

Week 4: Mount Baker 64, King’s 3

Week 5: Mount Baker 13, Lakewood 7

Week 6: Mount Baker 34, Chimacum 0

Week 7: Meridian 41, Mount Baker 28

Week 8: Mount Baker 40, Nooksack Valley 0

Week 9: Mount Baker 38, Sultan 7

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Elma 28, Mount Baker 22

The ’97 Mounties accomplished something that hadn’t been done before, and hasn’t happened since… they averaged over 400 yards rushing per game. Let that sink in for a moment. After finishing second in the newly formed North Cascades Conference, they were handed a tough draw, having to face Elma on the road. They lost by six to the eventual state champions.

Although not asked to throw much, senior quarterback Chad Hoidal made the majority of his throws count. He completed 15 passes for 276 yards and six touchdowns, to just one interception. He also ran for a touchdown, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. He had one of the best 1-2 punches in school history behind him to hand off to. Senior Joe Schleimer had the most prolific season a running back has ever had at Mount Baker. He ran for 1880 yards (7.6 average) and 20 touchdowns, while catching five passes for 83 yards (16.6) and three scores. The 6-foot-2 201-pounder played the majority of the season with some sort of injury, and was named All-League 1st Team, as well as All-State 1st Team. In the second quarter of the Granite Falls game, Schleimer went down with an injury, so senior fullback Jacob Prince took over as the featured back. All he did was rush for a then-state-record 422 yards. He was taken out in the 4th quarter, as the backups got some long runs in, as the team totaled 668 yards on the ground…. in just that one game. Prince finished the season with 1151 yards (8.9) and eight touchdowns. He was also named All-League 1st Team. Junior fullback Derek Isenhart chipped in with 377 yards (5.8) and a score.

Senior tight end Erik Knutzen was an extension of the offensive line with his run blocking, but showed his great pass catching skills as well. He was the Mounties’ leading receiver with five receptions for 87 yards (17.4) and two touchdowns. He also ran in a touchdown on an end-around play, and was named All-League 1st Team. Whoever lined up at wide receiver was generally not asked to run pass patterns, but to wipe out the cornerback for the running play that was selected. A trio of seniors rotated in and out, usually bringing in the play selection, and all three, Zach Mallahan, Josh Sivo and Jeremiah Kafhold, each caught a pass.

The offensive line was one of the best in Whatcom County history. It was led the 6-foot-2 265-pound senior left guard, Travis LoGrande. Coach Lepper called him the best high school offensive lineman he’s ever coached, mostly because of how great his feet were. He was named All-League 1st Team, as well as All-State 1st Team. At left tackle was junior, Brandon “The Load” Welters. When senior Luke Kalsbeek went down with an injury in week one, the big 296-pound junior was inserted into the starting lineup. He created huge running lanes, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. At center was the “little guy”, senior, Myron Cronk. At 5-foot-8 and 184 pounds he used his leverage and strength to get under opposing defensive tackles, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Randy Fleming was a huge presence (6’4″ 230) at right guard. He finished his career with a bang, being named All-League 1st Team, and started at four of the five offensive line positions in his three-year varsity career. He was also the long snapper for Baker. At right tackle was senior Brent Moa. The 6-foot-1 244-pounder was another mauling run blocker, and an emotional leader. He was named All-League 2nd Team.

The defensive line was led by senior defensive end, Kris DeKriek. A punishing hitter, DeKriek has a knack for getting to the quarterback. He finished with 71 total tackles, 22 QB hurries, 11 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and he was named All-League 1st team. Fleming was the other defensive end, and he finished with 43 total tackles, nine QB hurries, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one sack, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. The defensive tackles were Moa and fellow senior, Josh Erholm, and they were both named All-League 2nd Team. Moa tallied 70 total tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception. Erholm had 48 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six QB hurries, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Knutzen led the linebacking corps, and was named All-League 1st Team. He finished with 110 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, three passes broken up, three forced fumbles, two sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception. Next to him was Isenhart, who was named All-League 2nd Team. He totaled 64 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two passes broken up, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble. The outside linebacker spots were manned by seniors Nathan Brouwer and Chad Rathjen, both of which were named All-League Honorable Mention. Brouwer had 60 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three QB hurries, three fumble recoveries and one interception. Rathjen finished with 42 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, five QB hurries, two passes broken up and one fumble recovery.

Prince and Mallahan were on an island at cornerback, and they held their own. Prince was named All-League 1st Team, finishing with 20 tackles, five passes broken up, one sack, one tackle for loss and one interception. Mallahan was an All-League 2nd Teamer with 23 tackles, 12 passes broken up, and two interceptions. Sophomore Wes Carson took over mid-season at free safety, and was eventually named All-League Honorable Mention. He totaled 39 tackles, two interceptions, one pass broken up, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

The placekicking was problematic before settling on sophomore, Travis Galbraith. He connected on 13 extra points. Prince averaged 30.4 yards per punt. Sivo and Prince also provided some major fireworks returning kickoffs, both averaging over 30 yards per return. Mallahan averaged 12.7 yards per punt return, including a touchdown against King’s.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #127 – 1997 Sehome Mariners

June 6, 2015 Tyler 7 Comments

RECORD: 7-4 – COACH: Birger Solberg

LEAGUE: 7-2 (2nd Place in the Wesco)

CLASSIFICATION: 4A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 25.3 – Allowed: 18.0 – Differential: +7.3

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Lynden 24, Sehome 14

Week 2: Sehome 35, Bellingham 14

Week 3: Oak Harbor 28, Sehome 21

Week 4: Sehome 23, Kamiak 2

Week 5: Sehome 35, Anacortes 21

Week 6: Sehome 28, Snohomish 7

Week 7: Sehome 42, Marysville-Pilchuck 18

Week 8: Sehome 48, Mountlake Terrace 13

Week 9: Cascade 20, Sehome 7

State Play-in Game: Sehome 17, Kelso 9

1st Round Playoff Game: South Kitsap 42, Sehome 8

The 1997 season was one of those great seasons around Whatcom County, with so many great teams and players, and Sehome was no exception. The Mariners were loaded with talent, size and speed.

Senior quarterback Josh Turrell might have been the most talented. He completed 56.3% of his passes (80-of-142), and that completion percentage was a school record that stood for nine years. He threw for1105 yards, four touchdowns, ran for four touchdowns and was named All-League 1st Team. Joining Turrell in the backfield were seniors C.J. Hayes and Jay Chiabai. Hayes ran for 662 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Chiabai added 175 yards and a score, along with 13 catches for 320 yards (24.6 average) and one touchdown. They were each named All-League Honorable Mention. Another spark in the backfield came from sophomore Pete Staskiews. He ran for 255 yards (6.4) and five touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Trevor Walker had an amazing season, catching 39 passes for 545 yards (14.0) and one touchdown. His reception and receiving yardage totals were new school records for a season, both were previously held by Jay Reyna. Walker’s 39 catches lasted as the school record for 16 years until Evan Miksovsky caught 44 in 2013. Walker was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Justin Pendry was your typical Sehome tight end of the 90’s. 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, he was a prototype, sealing off the edge, and catching 13 passes for 153 yards (11.8) and two touchdowns. He was also named All-League 2nd Team.

Along with Pendry, the offensive line had other standouts as well. Senior Ashley Vincent (6-1 230) was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Ryan Cullup (6-2 232) was an All-League 2nd Team selection and fellow senior Brian Proctor (6-3 203) rounded out the Sehome all-stars up front, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. The Mariners averaged over five yards per running play, and ran for 27 touchdowns.

Sehome used a lot of the same players from the offensive side of the ball for defense, and they stood out there as well. The defensive line was the strongest unit, with Pendry coming off the edge, teaming up with Cullup and Vincent. Pendry and Cullup were each named All-League 1st Team, and Vincent was an All-League 2nd Team selection. Junior Scott Kirk shined through at linebacker, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Turrell led the secondary, being named All-League 1st Team, with Walker, who intercepted a pass for a 40-yard touchdown against Snohomish, was an All-League Honorable Mention.

Walker also was a great kicker, hitting 26 extra points and a field goal. For his efforts he was named All-League 2nd Team. Sophomore Calvin Hayes was an All-League Honorable Mention at punter.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #142 – 1997 Lynden Lions

May 22, 2015 Tyler 6 Comments

RECORD: 9-2 – COACH: Curt Kramme

LEAGUE: 5-1 (2nd Place in the NWL)

CLASSIFICATION: 3A – PLAYOFFS: Lost Play-in Game

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 23.7 – Allowed: 17.2 – Differential: +6.5

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Lynden 24, Sehome 14

Week 2: Lynden 19, Mountlake Terrace 7

Week 3: Lynden 9, Anacortes 6

Week 4: Lynden 19, Mount Vernon 7

Week 5: Lynden 25, Sedro Woolley 6

Week 6: Ferndale 28, Lynden 0

Week 7: Lynden 28, Bellingham 7

Week 8: Lynden 10, Kamiak 6

Week 9: Lynden 37, Burlington-Edison 14

Week 10: Lynden 56, Everett 34

State Play-in Game: Lakes 60, Lynden 34

The 1997 Lions were not short on talent, and their only two losses on the year were against the two teams that played for the 3A State Championship. The leadership and sheer size of this team were its strong points.

Senior quarterback Chris Price was one of the main leaders. The athletic lefty completed 107-of-248 passes for 1695 yards and nine touchdowns. He also ran for 54 yards and three touchdowns, and was named All-League 1st Team. Junior Lance Ellis led Lynden with 688 yards on the ground, as well as nine touchdowns. Senior transfer Tony Alexander gained 503 yards and three touchdowns, while bruising senior fullback Dante Alexander had four rushing touchdowns. All three backs were named All-League Honorable Mention.

The Lions found great success in the air, and their main target was a fleet-footed junior named Ryan Van Diest. He was named All-League 1st Team as a wide receiver, and became the first player in Lynden history to catch over 50 passes in a season. He caught 51 for 779 yards (15.3 average) and four touchdowns. Senior Dominic Alexander was one of the most prolific tight ends of the 1990’s in the entire county, and he was named All-League 2nd Team for the third consecutive season. He caught 21 passes for 311 yards (14.8). Senior Peter Costanti was a big-play threat, catching 16 passes for 305 yards (19.1) and a score.

The offensive line was led by 275-pound senior Jon Lange, who was named All-League 1st Team. Junior Sie Robinson (6-0 245) was also a force, and was named All-League 2nd Team, while senior Brandon DiLorenzo (6-3 275) provided muscle up front and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Lynden averaged 5.4 yards per carry, and scored 26 rushing touchdowns.

Defensively, the Alexander twins were all over the field. Both playing linebacker, Dominic (All-League 1st Team) and Dante (All-League 2nd Team) couldn’t be stopped. Senior Trevor Nipges (6-1 200) and junior Jered Schouten (5-7 180) were one of the best defensive line tandems in the league, and each were named All-League 1st Team. Juniors Casey Crnich and Ellis each stood out on the defensive line as well, being named All-League 2nd Team and All-League Honorable Mention respectively. Crnich returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown against Bellingham. Junior linebacker Zach Boyd teamed with the Alexanders to form an unstoppable linebacking corps, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Van Diest proved to be the best defensive back in the league, and was named All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row. Seniors Tony Alexander and Lucas DeBoer, along with sophomore Tyson Felix, were all named All-League Honorable Mention at defensive back.

Lange handled the kicking duties, and the straight ahead toe-puncher had a great season. He made 25 extra points, six field goals, and was named All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row. Senior Shawn Martin had one of the best legs in the county, and was named All-League 1st Team at punter.

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