RECORD: 6-3 – COACH: Stu Gorski
LEAGUE: 6-3 (2nd Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 16.0 – Allowed: 11.6 – Differential: +4.4
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Mount Baker 23, Blaine 13
Week 2: Mount Baker 16, Lynden Christian 12
Week 3: Mount Baker 13, Meridian 10
Week 4: Lynden 13, Mount Baker 6
Week 5: Mount Baker 36, Nooksack Valley 7
Week 6: Mount Baker 28, Blaine 7
Week 7: Lynden Christian 13, Mount Baker 0
Week 8: Mount Baker 22, Meridian 13
Week 9: Lynden 17, Mount Baker 0
The 1982 Mountaineers were coming off their first state playoff appearance, and with some key players returning, they were hoping to make the playoffs once again.
Senior Jay Compton took over at quarterback in 1982, and he completed 23 passes for 405 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown, but his main objective was to hand the ball off to the Whatcom County League Offensive Player of the Year, Kelly Zender. The senior ran for 916 yards (4.7 average) and eight touchdowns, and he led the team with seven catches for 105 yards (15.0) and a score. Senior Kevin Cronk also had a great season, rushing for 532 yards (5.4) and five touchdowns, along with six receptions for 112 yards (18.7), and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Brett Engholm added 137 yards rushing.
Running backs Zender and Cronk were the team’s leading receivers. Senior Fred Knebel and junior Eric Jacoby each caught a pair of touchdown passes.
Shannon Franks was the leader of the offensive line, and the junior was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined on the line by senior three-year starter Kevin Allen, as well as a pair of big juniors Mark Silves (6-3 200) and Stacy Zudell (5-9 212).
The defense was led by Zender, who was named the League’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1981. He was named All-League 1st Team along with Zudell on the defensive line. All-League 2nd Teamers included Silves on the defensive line, Cronk at linebacker, as well as Compton and Knebel at defensive back.
Senior Corey Webb was named All-League 1st Team at kicker, hitting 11 extra points, and he tied for the county lead with three field goals. One of his field goals was from 37 yards out, and stood as the school record for over 25 years. Zender returned kickoffs and Cronk was the punt returner.