RECORD: 8-2 – COACH: Bob Wilkinson
LEAGUE: 8-2 (2nd Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 22.9 – Allowed: 12.9 – Differential: +10.0
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Lynden 47, Mount Baker 6
Week 2: Mount Baker 35, Lynden Christian 0
Week 3: Mount Baker 9, Meridian 6
Week 4: Mount Baker 28, Nooksack Valley 14
Week 5: Mount Baker 21, Blaine 6
Week 6: Mount Baker 35, Lynden 14
Week 7: Mount Baker 47, Lynden Christian 6
Week 8: Meridian 14, Mount Baker 3
Week 9: Mount Baker 19, Nooksack Valley 6
Week 10: Mount Baker 26, Blaine 16
The 1977 Mountaineers was one of the most senior dominated teams in school history, which was evident the following season when they went 0-10.
Senior quarterback Marty Wilburn was a threat through the air and on the ground. He completed 40 passes for 618 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ran for over 100 yards in three separate games, totaling 597 yards on the ground (5.2 average) and seven touchdowns while gaining All-League 1st Team honors. Sophomore Dan Chapman showed tremendous promise as a backup, completing 8-of-10 passes for 72 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior running back Clay Brown had amazing speed, rushing for 874 yards (6.0 average) and nine touchdowns. He would go on to be named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Nooksack Valley transfer Pat Sturgeon also had a great year in the backfield, also being named All-League 2nd Team. He ran for 383 yards (4.4) and three touchdowns, while leading the team with 14 catches.
Senior receiver Chuck Cooper showed amazing athleticism, catching 11 passes for 235 yards (21.4) and three touchdowns, and he would go on to be named All-League 2nd Team. Senior tight end Augie Drafs caught seven passes for 124 yards (17.7) and three touchdowns. Senior Greg Younkin also caught a pair of touchdown passes.
Massive senior Darryl McNielly led the offensive line, and was an easy choice for All-League 1st Team. When I asked Coach Bob Ames who the best players he coached against in his 41 years of coaching, McNielly was one of the first players he mentioned. The offensive line led the way for almost 2000 yards rushing, and 20 touchdowns on the ground.
McNielly led the defense from his linebacker position, and was named All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row. Senior defensive lineman Joe Mitchell had great size (6-1 200) and speed, which allowed him to be an All-League 1st Team selection. Drafs intercepted a pass against Lynden Christian, and brought it back 15 yards for a touchdown, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Steve Strachila teamed with McNielly at linebacker, and was named All-League 2nd Team.
Sturgeon was a great kicker, hitting 14 extra points and three field goals. Senior Don Donahue was named the All-League 1st Team punter for the second year in a row. Brown handled the kick returns.