Tag Archives: 1998

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #58 – 1998 Ferndale Golden Eagles

August 6, 2017 Tyler

RECORD: 10-1 – COACH: Vic Randall

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

CLASSIFICATION: 3A – Playoffs: Lost in 1st Round

POINTS PER GAME: 33.4 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 9.5

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +23.9

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Ferndale 9, Arlington 0

Week 2: Ferndale 58, Lake Stevens 3

Week 3: Ferndale 43, Sedro Woolley 10

Week 4: Ferndale 45, Marysville-Pilchuck 7

Week 5: Ferndale 34, Squalicum 0

Week 6: Ferndale 28, Lynden 13

Week 7: Ferndale 21, Burlington-Edison 0

Week 8: Ferndale 30, Anacortes 14

Week 9: Ferndale 56, Mount Vernon 14

State Play-In Game: Ferndale 28, Arlington 14

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Renton 29, Ferndale 15

Coming off the first trip to the state championship game in school history, the 1998 Golden Eagles reloaded and went through the rest of the Northwest League like a hot knife through butter.

Junior Kyler Randall returned at quarterback. He didn’t have to throw many times, but when he did, he made it count. He completed 19 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns. He was a huge threat on the ground, rushing for 458 yards (7.6 average) and five touchdowns, and he was named All-League 2nd Team.

Senior Justin Iwasaki led Ferndale in rushing with 1007 yards (6.7) and he also scored a league-high 26 touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Sophomore fullback Robert Davis exploded onto the scene, rushing for 835 yards (6.3) and five touchdowns, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention.

Senior Chandler Udo was the ideal wing back in the Golden Eagle offense, and he was named All-League 1st Team, rushing for 632 yards (7.3) and two touchdowns, while leading the team in receiving with 11 receptions for 356 yards (32.4) and five scores. Junior tight end Paul Terrell hauled in five passes for 88 yards (17.6) and he was named All-League Honorable Mention.

It was one of the biggest offensive lines in Whatcom County history, and they pushed their way to over 3000 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns. Seniors John Bailey (6-3 300), Josh Price (6-5 280) and Addison Perrin (6-2 295) brought the bulk up front. Bailey and Price were each named All-League 1st Team, and Perrin was an All-League 2nd Team selection. They were joined by juniors Marc Locker and Bryce Oxford, who were both named All-League Honorable Mention.

The defensive line was led by the three-year starting bookends, Perrin and B.J. Hoelzle. Perrin was named All-League 2nd Team, and Hoelzle was named All-League 1st Team. The interior was filled by Price and senior Gurpreet Dhillon (6-1 245), and both were named All-League Honorable Mention. Iwasaki became the first player in Whatcom County history to be named All-League 1st Team at linebacker for three years in a row! He was joined by Oxford and senior Clay Owen, who were both named All-League Honorable Mention.

The secondary was led by the Randall and Udo. They both possessed tremendous speed, and ball-hawking abilities, and were each named All-League 1st Team. Junior Derrick Thompson was named All-League Honorable Mention as a defensive back. Junior Michael Koenen handled all of the kicking duties, and was named All-League 1st Team at kicker, and All-League 2nd Team at punter. The future NFL’er finished the season with 36 extra points and two field goals.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #63 – 1998 Lynden Lions

July 29, 2017 Tyler

RECORD: 11-2 – COACH: Curt Kramme

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

CLASSIFICATION: 3A – Playoffs: State Semifinalist

POINTS PER GAME: 30.1 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 17.4

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +12.7

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Lynden 24, Sehome 14

Week 2: Lynden 35, Mountlake Terrace 14

Week 3: Lynden 21, Anacortes 0

Week 4: Lynden 48, Mount Vernon 21

Week 5: Lynden 40, Sedro Woolley 24

Week 6: Ferndale 28, Lynden 13

Week 7: Lynden 48, Squalicum 19

Week 8: Lynden 23, Kamiak 6

Week 9: Lynden 34, Burlington-Edison 12

State Play-In Game: Lynden 41, Stanwood 24

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Lynden 14, Mount Si 6

State Quarterfinals: Lynden 24, White River 23

State Semifinals: Mariner 35, Lynden 26

Although the magic of the 1998 season ran out in the state semi-finals for the Lynden Lions, they had a lot to be proud of, and they broke a few school records along the way.

There was a lot of passing of the pig skin on Rollie DeKoster Field that season. So much so, that it was the first time in Whatcom County history that a team passed for over 2000 yards in a season. And, who better to do that with than senior quarterback, Tony Wilson? He had a huge arm, to go along with a huge season, completing 172 passes for 2686 yards and 24 touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team.

Senior Lance Ellis led the rushing attack, and was known as one of the toughest running backs in school history. He finished the season with 1126 yards on the ground (6.1 average) and 16 touchdowns. Senior Ryan Rathbun was a battering ram, rushing for 462 yards (5.6) and six touchdowns. Junior Tyson Felix ran for 374 yards (5.1) and five touchdowns, and he was even more effective in the passing game, catching 35 passes for 408 yards (11.7) and a touchdown on his way to being named All-League 2nd Team.

Senior wide receiver Ryan Van Diest had a season for the ages, and is regarded as one of the best wide receivers of all time. His 74 catches and 1266 yards receiving both became the new standards in Whatcom County. He also caught nine touchdown passes, was named All-League 1st Team, as well as All-State 1st Team. Fellow senior wide receivers Drew Langstraat and Rob Rodgers also had standout seasons in the wide open Lynden offensive. The 6-foot-6 Langstraat provided a gigantic catch radius for Wilson, and finished with 31 receptions for 572 yards (18.5) and eight touchdowns. He was named All-League 2nd Team. Rodgers had tremendous hands, catching 30 passes for 403 yards (13.4) and four touchdowns, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention.

The offensive line was led by a pair of extremely strong seniors, Sie Robinson and Jon Holman. Robinson had a little “nasty” in the trenches, and Holman was more of a “bring your lunch pail to work” kind of player, but both were named All-League 1st Team. They were joined up front by 240-pound junior Matt Alexander, who was named All-League Honorable Mention.

The defensive line was led by senior Casey Crnich. His physical play resulted in 75 total tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, and he was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined on the line by seniors Derek Som and Chris Bargen. Som finished with 62 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three pass deflections and two sacks, and Bargen totaled 52 tackles, four sacks and two tackles for loss. Both players were named All-League Honorable Mention.

The linebackers were a little undersized, but they made up for it with intensity and intensity. Senior Zach Boyd had 112 total tackles, a team-high nine tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three passes broken up, and he was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined by Rathbun and senior Tony Stopperan. Rathbun finished with 116 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Stopperan led the team in total tackles with 120. Eight were for a loss of yards, he also forced two fumbles and broke two passes up on his way to being named All-League 2nd Team.

Van Diest led the secondary, and was named All-League 1st Team. He finished with 78 total tackles, 12 passes broken up, six interceptions and three forced fumbles. He was joined by senior strong safety Jason Vermulm who had 61 tackles, nine for loss and two forced fumbles. He was named All-League 2nd Team. Felix also contributed in the defensive backfield with 38 tackles, seven passes broken up and three picks, and he was named All-League 2nd Team.

Junior Darren Stauffer was named All-League 2nd Team at kicker, connecting on 15 extra points and two field goals. Sophomore B.J. Louws kicked 16 extra points and a field goal. Wilson was named All-League 1st Team, and All-State 1st Team at punter. Stopperan was named All-League 1st Team at long snapper. Van Diest returned a kick-off 90 yards for a touchdown against Mount Vernon.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #79 – 1998 Mount Baker Mountaineers

June 9, 2017 Tyler

RECORD: 10-1 – COACH: Ron Lepper

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

CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: State Quarterfinalist

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 30.5 – Allowed: 11.8 – Differential: +18.7

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Mount Baker 28, Blaine 7

Week 2: Mount Baker 68, Granite Falls 0

Week 3: Mount Baker 24, Lynden Christian 0

Week 4: Mount Baker 21, King’s 14

Week 5: Mount Baker 49, Lakewood 21

Week 6: Mount Baker 50, Chimacum 28

Week 7: Mount Baker 14, Meridian 13

Week 8: Mount Baker 21, Nooksack Valley 16

Week 9: Mount Baker 39, Sultan 0

State Playoffs: 1st Round: Mount Baker 7, Castle Rock 0

State Quarterfinals: Elma 31, Mount Baker 14

In Ron Lepper’s third year as the head coach of the Mountaineers, he went from a 6-3 season that didn’t make the playoffs in 1996, to a playoff team in 1997, to an undefeated conference championship winning team in 1998.

Andy Grimes had one of the best seasons in school history at quarterback. The senior co-captain was named All-League 2nd Team while completing 41 passes for 484 yards and seven touchdowns. His passing accuracy was unmatched, completing 67.2% of his passes, and he only threw one interception. He also ran for 178 yards and a touchdown.

Junior Jim Schleimer followed up his brother Joe’s impressive season with an amazing season of his own. He ran for 1557 yards (6.2 average) and 28 touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Sophomore Jeff Lawrence was a pleasant surprise, rushing for 497 yards (5.7) and five scores on his way to being named All-League Honorable Mention. Junior Wes Carson contributed with 323 yards (7.7) on the ground.

Senior Derek Isenhart, usually a fullback, was put into action at tight end, and he didn’t disappoint. He still did rush for 371 yards (5.3) and two touchdowns, but from the tight end position he caught 10 passes for 93 yards and two scores, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Adam McAbee provided a big target for Grimes (6-4) hauling in 14 passes for 193 yards (13.8) and a touchdown. He was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Rob Boleak split time with McAbee, catching five passes for 46 yards (9.2) and was named All-League Honorable Mention.

The offensive line was tremendous, and senior right tackle Brandon Welters was the undisputed leader. At 6-foot-2 and 296 pounds, “The Load” was a handful on opposing defenders, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Junior left tackle Isaac Parham used superior strength at left tackle, and he was also named All-League 1st Team. Junior Kyle Lukes and Klinton Moa were each named All-League 2nd Team, while junior Jesse Morris was an All-League Honorable Mention selection. The Mounties would rush for over 3300 yards and 39 touchdowns.

The Mount Baker defense shut out four opponents, including one in the state playoffs. It was led up front by the dynamic defensive end duo of Parham and Travis Galbraith. Both juniors, and both were named All-League 1st Team. Parham had 50 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and five forced fumbles. Galbraith had 69 total tackles, an amazing 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Moa, along with sophomore Bryce Hamilton, filled in the interior of the defensive line. Each recorded three sacks, and were named All-League Honorable Mention.

The linebacking corps was led by Isenhart in the middle. He accumulated 115 total tackles, six tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions on his way to being named All-League 1st Team. Morris joined him on the inside with 77 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and three interceptions. He was named All-League Honorable Mention. Schleimer and McAbee were the outside linebackers. Schleimer had 62 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six passes defended while being named All-League 1st Team. McAbee had 57 total tackles and five tackles for loss, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention.

Carson led the secondary from his free safety position, with 34 total tackles and three forced fumbles while being named All-League 1st Team. Sophomore Joe Mattingley was named All-League 2nd Team as a first-year starter at corner. He had 44 total tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Senior Ryan Cowden played at the other corner, and was named All-League Honorable Mention, totaling 30 tackles, six passes defended and two interceptions.

Cowden had a great year kicking, with 37 extra points and a field goal, and would be named All-League Honorable Mention. Galbraith also kicked a pair of extra points and a 35-yard field goal against Lynden Christian. Morris handled the punting.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #98 – 1998 Meridian Trojans

July 5, 2015 Tyler 12 Comments

RECORD: 7-2 – COACH: Bob Ames

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

CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: None

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 39.8 – Allowed: 5.8 – Differential: +34.0

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 58, King’s 0

Week 2: Meridian 37, Nooksack Valley 3

Week 3: Meridian 74, Ocosta 0

Week 4: Meridian 26, Lynden Christian 7

Week 5: Blaine 21, Meridian 14

Week 6: Meridian 78, Sultan 7

Week 7: Mount Baker 14, Meridian 13

Week 8: Meridian 19, Lakewood 0

Week 9: Meridian 39, Granite Falls 0

The 1998 Trojans might just be the best collection of talent to not play in the post season. Even though they averaged nearly 40 points per game, and allowed less than a touchdown per game, they lost a couple of heart-breakers to league opponents.

Junior quarterback Jeff Bennum showed tremendous passing ability, completing 93 passes for 1415 yards and 17 touchdowns to only six interceptions. He also ran for six touchdowns, and was named All-League 1st Team. He handed off to senior Jarred Johnson who totaled 383 yards (5.0 average) and five touchdowns, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Matt Matheson also contributed on the ground with 355 yards (4.9), six touchdowns, and he was an All-League Honorable Mention selection.

Meridian also had a fleet of receivers that could put some major numbers on the scoreboard. Senior wide outs, Aaron Hayes and Bear Cochran, were both named All-League 1st Team, and they each caught a team-high six touchdown passes. Hayes finished with 41 receptions for 502 yards (12.2), and Cochran hauled in 19 passes for 320 yards (16.8). Junior tight end Jarrod Karuza had a knack for making big plays, catching 12 passes for 259 yards (21.6) and three touchdowns. He was also an All-League 2nd Team pick. Senior Josh Macomber and sophomore Eli Slesk each caught seven passes, and had one touchdown. Slesk was an All-League Honorable Mention selection.

The offensive line had a good mix of seniors and juniors, and became adapt to run blocking and pass blocking. Junior Allen Conway led the way, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Seniors Trevor Bosman and Matt Munger were also huge up front, and were each named All-League Honorable Mention, as was junior Jake Pederson.

The defense was flat out amazing. They allowed just 43 first downs for the entire year. They allowed 796 total yards. They held opponents to a 23.8% completion percentage, only 20 completions! The defensive line made numerous plays behind the line. It was loaded with Munger, seniors John Wantz and Spencer Crockett, and juniors Chase Schmidtz and Cale Mabbott. Wantz was an All-League 1st Team pick. Munger, Schmidtz and Crockett were All-League 2nd Team picks, and Mabbot was named All-League Honorable Mention.

Cochran led the linebacking corps, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined by Hayes, who was named All-League 2nd Team, and junior Jimmy Nightingale was an All-League Honorable Mention selection. The secondary was also loaded with numerous athletes. Senior Josh Randall and Macomber were both named All-League 1st Team. Bennum was named All-League 2nd Team, and led the team with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Nightingale, Hayes and sophomore Joel Pears also each returned an interception for a touchdown.

Randall was a slam dunk choice as the All-League 1st Team kicker for the second season in a row. He nailed 32 extra points, and had five field goals. Slesk handled the punting, and averaged 37 yards per punt, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Randall and junior Corey Culp handled the kick returning, and Slesk had a great year returning punts. He totaled 310 yards, and was an All-League 2nd Team pick as a returner.

Top 150 Teams

Top 150 #150 – 1998 Blaine Borderites

May 14, 2015 Tyler 15 Comments

RECORD: 8-2 – COACH: Jim Rasar

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

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

Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 22.9 – Allowed: 10.1 – Differential: +12.8

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Mount Baker 28, Blaine 7.

Week 2: Blaine 41, Sultan 7.

Week 3: Blaine 31, Nooksack Valley 0.

Week 4: Blaine 28, Lakewood 14.

Week 5: Blaine 21, Meridian 14.

Week 6: Blaine 35, Granite Falls 12.

Week 7: Blaine 40, John Barsby (BC) 6.

Week 8: Blaine 16, Lynden Christian 6.

Week 9: Blaine 3, King’s 0.

State Playoffs, Round 1: Rochester 14, Blaine 7.

The ’98 Borderites went back to the ground game that led them to the WCL Championship in 1995. With the graduation of quarterback Caleb Luehmann and wide receiver Greg Wright, they were almost forced to.

Senior Jesse Newell switched from receiver to quarterback and completed 54-of-121 passes for 625 yards and four touchdowns to only two interceptions. He also ran for 21 yards and a score, and was named All-League 2^nd Team. He was joined in the backfield by junior Brad Scheib and senior Tyler Fitzgerald. Scheib had a breakout season, as he rushed for 1171 yards on 147 carries (8.0 average) and 10 touchdowns on his way to being named All-League 1^st Team. Fitzgerald gained 607 yards on the ground on 116 carries (5.2) for nine scores, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Super sophomore Josh McDonald chipped in 247 yards on the ground on 56 carries (4.4) and two touchdowns.

With Newell switching to quarterback, and Wright graduating, Blaine was left with senior tight end Tony Nymeyer as the only returning receiver with valuable varsity experience. He caught 17 passes for 181 yards (10.7), three touchdowns and was named All-League 2^nd Team. Junior Austin Broyan led the team in receiving with 18 receptions for 233 yards (12.9) and was named All-League 1^st Team. McDonald’s athleticism allowed him to play both running back and wide receiver, and he had eight catches for 122 yards (15.3) and a score. Scheib also hauled in eight passes from his running back position for 36 yards (4.5).

The offensive line wasn’t only greatly skilled, but also possessed great size. Junior Brad Beard led the battle up front and was named All-League 1^st Team. At 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, junior Jesse Riddle was hard to miss, and was named All-League 2^nd Team. Seniors Casey Walser (6-5 250) and Lane Renskers (6-3 190) each stood out on the line, and were both named All-League Honorable Mention. The Borderites averaged 5.7 yards per carry and scored 22 rushing touchdowns.

Each level of the defense had a junior that was named All-League 1^st Team. Riddle on the defensive line, Scheib at linebacker and Broyan at defensive back. Walser was named All-League 2^nd Team at defensive line as was Newell at defensive back. Rounding out the award winning defensive players were Beard at defensive line, Nymeyer at defensive back and sophomore Jon Allen at linebacker, each of whom were named All-League Honorable Mention.

Newell was a one-man wrecking crew in the kicking game as he was named All-League 2^nd Team at punter as well as All-League Honorable Mention at kicker (13 extra points) and kick-returner (1 punt returned for a touchdown). Senior Patrick Hooper took over the kicking duties halfway through the season and he booted seven extra points and two field goals.

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