MICHAEL KENTNER
Mount Baker – Junior
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Mount Baker’s Offense is Averaging Almost 11 Yards a Play
The Mountaineers are known for a certain style of play, and not necessarily style points. After three games Mount Baker has racked up 1468 yards on just 135 plays. That’s an average of 10.87 yards per offensive play. They have also scored 22 touchdowns, and they have yet to punt. Some thought that losing Jed Schleimer would hinder the offense, but the Mounties understand the philosophy that the next man up needs to get the job done.
Carson Engholm and Carson Brandland returned to the backfield, but Baker has welcomed the tough running style of Sam Barrett, the pure speed of Kobee Malone and the slashing of Jason Lee. All three have averaged over 10 yards per carry this season, and have been welcome additions to the red and black. Quarterback Kaleb Bass has hooked up with Thomas Barbo (who is the school’s all-time leading receiver) 13 times for 233 yards.
Helping the Mountaineers accomplish all of this has been the emergence of an almost completely new offensive line. Senior Luke Steeves started last season at left guard, and has returned. Twin brother Kyler Steeves played well at left tackle last year, but has been moved to right guard for this season. Junior Jay Allen converted from running back to left tackle, and combines great size with speed. Junior right tackle Noah Rathjen only played defense last year, but has been depended on to down-block from the right side in 2017. Senior tight end Hayden Linderman had huge shoes to fill, taking over for T.J. Bass, but he has proven to be more than adequate with his blocking, and he’s also caught three passes for 43 yards. 256-pound junior Braeden Shannon is the strongest player on the team, and has been a force at center.
Coach Ron Lepper has always believed that offensive line is the most important position on the field. A former offensive lineman himself, he takes a lot of pride that his line is getting the job done. So far, it has.
The biggest challenge will be this Friday at Nooksack Valley.
Top 150 #76 – 1986 Mount Baker Mountaineers
RECORD: 9-2 – COACH: Stu Gorski
LEAGUE: 8-1 (1st Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: “A” – Playoffs: State Quarterfinalist
POINTS PER GAME: 17.7 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 6.5
POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +11.2
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Mount Baker 6, Blaine 0
Week 2: Mount Baker 20, Lynden Christian 0
Week 3: Mount Baker 13, Meridian 6
Week 4: Mount Baker 19, Lynden 13
Week 5: Mount Baker 21, Nooksack Valley 0
Week 6: Mount Baker 14, Blaine 0
Week 7: Mount Baker 20, Lynden Christian 6
Week 8: Meridian 17, Mount Baker 7
Week 9: Mount Baker 32, Lynden 8
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Mount Baker 23, North Mason 0
State Quarterfinals: Lynden Christian 21, Mount Baker 20
After multiple second-place finishes in the 1980’s, it all came together for the Mountaineers in 1986. After beating Lynden Christian twice in the regular season they met again in the quarterfinals of the state tournament, and they lost an overtime thriller to the eventual state runner up.
Baker was led by one of the greatest overall athletes in school history, Jeff Curtis. The 6-foot-1 170-pound senior was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year, completing 86 passes for 1417 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 143 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior running back Tim Jacoby transferred from Ferndale and led the Mountie rushing attack. He ran for 596 yards (3.8 average), seven touchdowns and he was named All-League 1st Team. Junior Nathan Hull added 207 yards on the ground (3.6). He also caught seven passes for 47 yards (6.7).
Seniors Roger Van Weerdhuizen and Jeff Gorski each spent time at tight end, as well as being split out wide, and were a great receiving combo for Curtis. Van Weerdhuizen used his height (6’4″) and his leaping ability (6’9″ high jumper) to create big plays down field. His 45 catches for 910 yards (20.2) and 13 touchdowns made up for the most prolific receiving season that Whatcom County saw in the decade of the 1980’s, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Gorski caught 26 passes for 287 yards (11.0), and he was named All-League 2nd Team.
The offensive line was led by three All-League 1st Team selections; seniors Bob Carbee and Doug Chadwick, along with junior John Raper. Seniors Warner Webb and Willie Pitts were named All-League 2nd Team to round out one of the best overall offensive lines in school history.
Raper also stood out on the defensive line, being named both All-League 1st Team and All-State 1st Team. He was joined up front by Pitts and Webb, who were each named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Jeff Sande was all over the field from his linebacker position and was named All-League 1st Team. Curtis and Van Weerdhuizen used their supreme athleticism to dominate in the secondary. Curtis was named both All-League 1st Team and All-State 1st Team, and Van Weerdhuizen nabbed All-League 2nd Team honors.
Curtis handled the kicking duties, hitting on 12 extra points and a field goal, and he was also named All-League 1st Team at punter for the second season in a row.
Top 150 #79 – 1998 Mount Baker Mountaineers
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 #83 – 2011 Mount Baker Mountaineers
RECORD: 7-3 – COACH: Ron Lepper
LEAGUE: 6-1 (2nd Place in the 2A NWC)
CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: Lost Play-in Game
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 29.2 – Allowed: 18.2 – Differential: +11.0
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Meridian 19, Mount Baker 6
Week 2: Mount Baker 14, Anacortes 13
Week 3: Mount Baker 41, Bellingham 12
Week 4: Mount Baker 42, Burlington-Edison 7
Week 5: Mount Baker 44, Blaine 41
Week 6: Mount Baker 21, Ferndale 14
Week 7: Lynden 35, Mount Baker 0
Week 8: Mount Baker 55, Sehome 0
Week 9: Mount Baker 42, Squalicum 0
State Play-in Game: Archbishop Murphy 41, Mount Baker 27
After a few rough seasons in downtown Deming, the Mountaineers turned it around in 2011. It was also the final year of Mount Baker competing in the 2A division, before getting moved back down to 1A.
Andrew Zender became the first sophomore quarterback to start a game in school history since Lance Zamzow in 1992. He started from day one, and would go on to have one of the finest Mountie careers. He completed 41 passes for 780 yards and seven touchdowns.
Senior Levi Wigg had an incredibly impressive season to cap off his legendary career. He rushed for 1413 yards (9.1 average) and 22 touchdowns, and he was named both All-League 1st Team as well as All-State 1st Team. Junior Jake Schleimer pounded out 680 yards on the ground (6.9) and six touchdowns, while senior wingback Aaron Baddeley had numerous big plays, gaining 243 yards (10.6) and a touchdown.
Lanky junior Zan Roman was a pleasant surprise, leading the team with 21 catches for 405 yards (19.3) and five touchdowns. Wigg caught 10 passes for 181 yards and a score. All-State senior Alec Postlewait (6-3 266) led the offensive line, and he was joined by All-League 2nd Team center, junior Tyrel Cronk. Together the helped lead the way for nearly 2700 yards on the ground and 33 touchdowns.
Postlewait was a bull up front, with 111 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, he was named All-League 1st Team as well as All-State 2nd Team. Cronk was named All-League 1st Team at linebacker, totaling 121 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, four passes broken up, three forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks. Wigg and Baddeley stood out in the secondary. Wigg finished with 42 total tackles, eight passes broken up, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Baddeley had 69 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions and three passes broken up. Wigg was named All-League 1st Team, with Baddeley nabbing All-League 2nd Team honors.
Junior Edgar Zavala hit on 35 extra points and averaged 34.3 yards per punt. Roman averaged 27.2 yards per kickoff return, while he and Wigg handled the punt returning.
Top 150 #84 – 1994 Mount Baker Mountaineers
RECORD: 10-1 – COACH: Doug Preston
LEAGUE: 6-0 (1st Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: State Quarterfinalist
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 27.0 – Allowed: 12.5 – Differential: +14.5
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Mount Baker 15, Vashon Island 14
Week 2: Mount Baker 34, Steilacoom 14
Week 3: Mount Baker 14, Lynden Christian 10
Week 4: Mount Baker 21, Blaine 0
Week 5: Mount Baker 41, Concrete 0
Week 6: Mount Baker 26, King’s 0
Week 7: Mount Baker 28, Nooksack Valley 12
Week 8: Mount Baker 42, Meridian 27
Week 9: Mount Baker 34, Friday Harbor 0
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Mount Baker 36, Cedarcrest 16
State Quarterfinals: Eatonville 45, Mount Baker 6
It was the first time in five years that the Mount Baker football team’s head coach would return for another season, and it did wonders. Doug Preston had a talented group of seniors to work with, along with some strong underclassmen that were ready to show what they could do.
Seniors Lance Zamzow and Tom Horsmon split time at quarterback in 1993, helping lead the Mountaineers to their first postseason berth in seven years. The decision was made to use Zamzow’s speed on the outside as a wide receiver, and Horsmon would be the starting quarterback. That lasted one week into the season. Coach Doug Preston needed another talented receiver to take the pressure off of Zamzow, and the decision was made to move Horsmon outside, and insert junior David Galbraith behind center. It worked.
Galbraith had a huge game at Steilacoom, and the Mounties never looked back. He finished the season completing 72 passes for 1183 yards and 14 touchdowns, to only five interceptions. He also ran for 390 yards (5.8 average) and two touchdowns on his way to being named All-League 2nd Team.
Seniors Scott McKeever and Galen Smith shared the workload at tailback in the I-Formation offense that Baker ran in 1994. McKeever led the Mounties in rushing for the third straight season (the only player to do that in school history). He ran for 665 yards (6.0) and six touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Smith totaled 498 yards (6.1) and also ran for six touchdowns. He was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior fullback Lee Stavik ran for 153 yards (6.4) and scored a pair of TD’s.
Coming into the season, Baker didn’t have any receivers with varsity experience. Mike Perez transferred to Nooksack Valley, and former quarterbacks Zamzow and Horsmon were now the wide receivers. Zamzow brought amazing speed and play-making ability, while Hormson had size (6’4″) and terrific hands. Zamzow caught 22 passes for 477 yards (21.7) and six touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Horsmon led the team with 38 receptions for 581 yards (15.3) and six scores, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior tight end Chris Rainwater was also a pleasant surprise, catching 13 passes for 151 yards (11.6) and two touchdowns, and he was also named All-League 1st Team.
The offensive line was a consistent strength. Full of seniors, left tackle to right tackle, they led up front for Mount Baker’s balanced attack. Right tackle Karl Frombly (6-0 257) and right guard Jacob Cecka (6-4 241) were each named All-League 1st Team. While left tackle Dan Butenschoen (6-4 219), left guard Travis Brouwer (6-0 170) and center Jeremy Zender (5-11 225) were all named All-League Honorable Mention.
The defensive line was led by Frombly, who was named All-State 1st Team at defensive tackle. He had 70 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and he scored a touchdown on a fumble return. Galbraith was a rock at defensive end, with 103 tackles (59 solo), 14 tackles for loss, eight sacks while knocking down four passes, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Fellow junior Pete Malec held down the other side at defensive end, with 42 tackles and eight tackles for loss.
Stavik was named All-League 1st Team at inside linebacker, and he had 99 tackles (66 solo) and 10 tackles for loss. Smith was also in on 103 tackles and was named All-League 2nd Team at linebacker. Rainwater played as an outside linebacker/strong safety and was in on many big plays, scoring three touchdowns on defense, and was named All-League 1st Team.
Horsmon led the secondary from his free safety position. He intercepted nine passes and had 82 tackles, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Zamzow intercepted four passes from his cornerback spot, and was named All-League Honorable Mention.
Junior Travis Weeks was named All-League Honorable Mention at kicker, hitting on 27 extra points and a field goal. Zamzow handled the punting duties. McKeever returned kickoffs, including a touchdown return against Cedarcrest in the state playoffs, and he finished his career with over 1000 kickoff return yards. Zamzow was a dangerous punt returner, with two touchdown returns, and a third that was called back.
Top 150 #86 – 2003 Mount Baker Mountaineers
RECORD: 9-2 – COACH: Ron Lepper
LEAGUE: 7-1 (2nd Place in the NCC)
CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 36.2 – Allowed: 12.4 – Differential: +23.8
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Mount Baker 29, Burlington-Edison 15
Week 2: Mount Baker 14, Nooksack Valley 13
Week 3: Meridian 28, Mount Baker 0
Week 4: Mount Baker 50, Granite Falls 6
Week 5: Mount Baker 49, Lakewood 21
Week 6: Mount Baker 76, Blaine 0
Week 7: Mount Baker 37, Sultan 13
Week 8: Mount Baker 56, Todd Beamer 7
Week 9: Mount Baker 19, Lynden Christian 0
Week 10: Mount Baker 55, South Whidbey 14
State Playoffs: 1st Round: LaCenter 19, Mount Baker 13
The 2003 version of the Mounties was extremely explosive, and their two losses happen to be at the hands of the two top teams in the state, in the 2A classification.
After playing wide receiver and wingback for the Mounties, senior Wes Norstadt lined up at quarterback in 2003. Although he possessed one of the strongest arms in school history, it was about the running game for Mount Baker. He did complete 28 passes for 642 yards and seven touchdowns, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. He also ran for 340 yards (6.0 average) and four TD’s. Senior running back Mikel Rathjen had an incredible season, rushing for 1533 yards (8.9), 21 touchdowns and five 2-point conversions. He was named the League’s Offensive Player of the Year, and was All-State 2nd Team. Senior fullback Cody Lawson ran for 694 yards (11.2) and seven touchdowns, while fellow senior Kyle Vessel added 535 yards on the ground (15.7) and nine touchdowns. Both were named All-League 2nd Team.
Junior wide receiver Kyle Kinder caught seven passes for a team-high 171 yards (24.4) and a touchdown. Senior tight end Keith Williams, a converted offensive lineman, caught a team-high eight passes for 154 yards (19.3) and two scores. He was named All-League Honorable Mention. Vessel and senior Tyler Marshall each caught five passes, and Rathjen caught three.
The offensive line, as usual, was the unsung hero for Mount Baker. 222-pound junior tackle Guy Gates was named All-League 1st Team and fellow junior Daniel Chudek was named All-League 2nd Team as the center. The rest of the line was filled out by seniors Travis Magnusson and Brad Smith, and sophomore J.C. George. All three were named All-League Honorable Mention. The led the way for 3612 yards on the ground and 55 touchdowns overall. They also helped the Mountaineers average an eye-popping 9.1 yards per carry for the entire season!
Williams led the defensive attack from his inside linebacker position, leading the team with 178 tackles (30 solo), and three forced fumbles. He also had three tackles for loss. Gates also had an impressive season, lining up next to Williams, with 142 tackles (14 solo), nine tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Williams was named All-League 1st Team, with Gates nabbing All-League 2nd Team honors. Norstadt led the secondary from his free safety position, and he totaled 53 tackles (18 solo), three interceptions, three passes broken up, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was named All-League 1st Team as well as All-State 1st Team. Senior Josh Little led the team with three sacks and nine tackles for loss as a defensive tackle, while senior Charlie Brown has seven tackles for loss, two sacks and a team-high four fumble recoveries as a defensive end. Junior Garrett Graham intercepted three passes to help the secondary.
Senior Bryan Visser kicked 32 extra points, while Lawson, Rathjen and Graham handled the return duties.
SCHLEIMER CLOSING IN ON TOUCHDOWN RECORD
When Blaine’s Mario Gobbato graduated he held so many Whatcom County records that I stumble across new ones from time to time. A few of his records would be career rushing yards (6118), season rushing yards (2821), career rushing attempts (790), season rushing attempts (339) and season rushing touchdowns (38). Last year his single-game rushing yardage record of 480 was broken by Mount Baker’s Jed Schleimer when he 
galloped for 521 against Nooksack Valley. Now Schleimer is closing in on another record of Gobbato’s. The career touchdown record. Gobbato finished with 78 total touchdowns in his career, and Schleimer currently sits at 74 (68 rushing and 6 receiving).
Mount Baker Top 15 Most Kicking Points in a Game
- Edgar Zavala, 11 vs. Nooksack Valley, 2012
- Zane Smith, 11 vs. Oroville, 2014
- Edgar Zavala, 10 vs. Friday Harbor, 2012
- Alex Tyska, 10 vs. Blaine, 2013
- Zane Smith, 10 vs. Cedar Park Christian, 2014
- Jonathan Ehlers, 10 vs. Cascade (Leavenworth), 2015
- Jose Mata, 9 vs. Sehome, 2009
- Jonathan Ehlers, 9 vs. Oroville, 2015
- Jonathan Ehlers, 9 vs. Lynden Christian, 2015
- Jonathan Ehlers, 9 vs. Nooksack Valley, 2016
- Jonathan Ehlers, 9 vs. Lynden Christian, 2016
- Roberto Garcia, 9 vs. King’s, 2017
- Bryan Visser, 8 vs. Granite Falls, 2002
- Edgar Zavala, 8 vs. Cedarcrest, 2012
- Edgar Zavala, 8 vs. Blaine, 2012
- Alex Tyska, 8 vs. Cedarcrest, 2013
- Alex Tyska, 8 vs. Friday Harbor, 2013
- Alex Tyska, 8 vs. Lynden, 2013
- Jonathan Ehlers, 8 vs. Nooksack Valley, 2015
- Jonathan Ehlers, 8 vs. Sultan, 2015
- Jonathan Ehlers, 8 vs. Lynden Christian, 2015
- Jonathan Ehlers, 8 vs. Nooksack Valley, 2016
- Jonathan Ehlers, 8 vs. Port Townsend, 2016
- Jonathan Ehlers, 8 vs. Kelowna, BC, 2016
- Jason Lee, 8 vs. Charlie Fulton (BC), 2017
Mount Baker Top 15 Most Points Scored in a Game
- Izaiha Schwinden, 42 vs. LaCenter, 2013
- Jim Schleimer, 36 vs. Chimacum, 1998
- Jim Schleimer, 36 vs. South Whidbey, 1999
- Jed Schleimer, 36 vs. Nooksack Valley, 2015
- Joe Schleimer, 30 vs. Friday Harbor, 1996
- Jacob Prince, 30 vs. Granite Falls, 1997
- Mikel Rathjen, 30 vs. Sultan, 2002
- Levi Wigg, 30 vs. Blaine, 2010
- Levi Wigg, 30 vs. Squalicum, 2011
- Jed Schleimer, 30 vs. Sultan, 2015
- Multiple players tied with 24