RECORD: 7-2 – COACH: Stu Gorski
LEAGUE: 7-2 (2nd Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 22.8 – Allowed: 9.7 – Differential: +13.1
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Mount Baker 47, Lynden 0
Week 2: Mount Baker 17, Nooksack Valley 0
Week 3: Mount Baker 14, Blaine 0
Week 4: Mount Baker 15, Lynden Christian 13
Week 5: Meridian 13, Mount Baker 0
Week 6: Mount Baker 38, Lynden 21
Week 7: Mount Baker 47, Nooksack Valley 0
Week 8: Blaine 34, Mount Baker 14
Week 9: Mount Baker 13, Lynden Christian 6
The Mountaineers had a few things going for them in 1983. They had a great pair of running backs. They had an outstanding defense. And, they only had to play Meridian once. However, it still wasn’t enough to get into the playoffs.
The offense was led by junior quarterback, Tim Knebel. It was his first year as the starting quarterback, and he had a great one. He completed 53 passes for 569 yards and nine touchdowns. He also ran for 173 yards, three touchdowns, and was named All-League 2nd Team. He had a pair of halfbacks that put up almost identical numbers. Junior Leroy Harkness ran the ball for 699 yards (5.9 average) and four touchdowns. Senior Brett Engholm rushed for 695 yards (5.7) and six touchdowns. Both players were named All-League 2nd Team. Helping them gain big yards was senior fullback, Stacy Zudell. A converted offensive lineman, the 5-foot-9 215-pounder could really clear a path. He also ran for four touchdowns.
Putting the ball in the air seemed to be no problem for the Mounties, as they had a great pair of tall targets to toss to. Senior Eric Jacoby was the main one, catching 25 passes for 361 yards (14.4) and six touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Jeff Zollner complimented Jacoby well, hauling in 16 passes for 204 yards (12.8) and three scores. Engholm also caught 10 passes out of the backfield.
The offensive line was a good one. They plowed the way for almost 2000 yards rushing, in an era where offensive linemen were not allowed to use their hands in any way. It also started with junior center, Duane Zender. The 190-pounder was an All-League 1st Team pick. As was senior guard Doug Teshera (6-4 195) and senior tackle Mark Silves (also 6-4 195). Baker also got great play up front by the 225-pound senior tackle, Kim Villani, who was named All-League 2nd Team.
The defense shut out four opponents in nine games, and really made life difficult for the opposing offense. Jacoby spearheaded the attack from his defensive end position, and actually brought back two interceptions for touchdowns in the opening game against Lynden, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Shannon Franks (5-11 185) manned the middle, and was named All-League 1st Team at linebacker. Silves and Zudell used their big bodies to create havoc in the interior line, and were each named All-League 2nd Team, while Knebel led the secondary and was also a pick for the All-League 2nd Team.
Mount Baker looked to freshman Warner Webb to handle the kicking duties, and he made 11 extra points. Knebel also made an extra point, and kicked a field goal.