RECORD: 7-2  –  COACH: Curt Kramme

 LEAGUE: 3-2 (3rd Place in the NWL)

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 CLASSIFICATION: AA – PLAYOFFS: None

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Scoring Stats “Per Game”

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

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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

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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.