RECORD: 11-3 – COACH: Dan Kaemingk
LEAGUE: 6-2 (3rd Place in the 1A/2A NCC)
CLASSIFICATION: 1A – State Playoffs: State Champion
POINTS PER GAME: 32.9 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 15.1
POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +17.8
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Lynden Christian 40, Sultan 0
Week 2: Lynden Christian 20, Lakewood 12
Week 3: Mount Baker 28, Lynden Christian 15
Week 4: Meridian 10, Lynden Christian 0
Week 5: Lynden Christian 51, King’s 7
Week 6: Lynden Christian 37, Nooksack Valley 0
Week 7: Lynden Christian 49, Granite Falls 28
Week 8: Lynden Christian 48, Blaine 14
Week 9: Cleveland 57, Lynden Christian 55
State Play-In Game: Lynden Christian 26, Friday Harbor 0
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Lynden Christian 28, Toledo 9
State Quarterfinals: Lynden Christian 48, Tacoma Baptist 13
State Semifinals: Lynden Christian 21, Concrete 14
State Championship: Lynden Christian 22, Colfax 20
The Whatcom County League was transformed into the North Cascades Conference in 1997, and a lot of changes came with it. Sultan, Lakewood and Granite Falls entered the league. Gone were Friday Harbor and Concrete. All of the schools were bumped up to 2A, but Lynden Christian remained at 1A. LC played all the 2A schools in the new conference, losing to strong Mount Baker and Meridian teams. However, the Lyncs found a way to stay strong in the playoffs and win the state championship!
Leading the way was senior Greg Dykstra. His leadership, along with his passing ability and running ability, made him one of the best players in school history. The left-handed quarterback was named All-League 1st Team, completing 120 passes for 1596 yards and 16 touchdowns to only four interceptions. He also ran for 889 yards (5.2 average) and a team-high 23 touchdowns.
The Lyncs had a trio of running backs that Dykstra could lean upon when he wasn’t running the ball. Senior Erik Vanderpol led the way with 1119 yards rushing (6.2) and 12 touchdowns, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Tough running fullback Chad Bajema was also named All-League Honorable Mention, and the senior rushed for 645 yards (5.6) and eight scores. Speedy senior Joey Mellema battled injuries during the season, and still ran for 607 yards (6.1) and five touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Rob Dykstra was a major mis-match for most of the corner backs trying to cover him. At 6-foot-4 he produced a large catch radius for “The Greg”, so much so that he caught a school-record 59 passes for 733 yards (12.4) and eight touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Senior tight end Ben Blankers filled in for the injured Josh Parsons for the majority of the season, and he had 17 receptions for 287 yards (16.9) and three touchdowns on his way to being named All-League Honorable Mention. Senior Kevin Roosma caught 11 passes for 112 yards (10.2).
Parsons’ story is an incredible one. After two stellar seasons, he was poised to have a huge year as a tight end and inside linebacker. Unfortunately, a broken foot between week two and three kept him off of the field for the remainder of the regular season. But, the Lyncs kept winning as Parsons kept healing, and he was able to play a huge role in the state championship game. Bajema also proved to be a receiving threat out of the backfield, catching 19 passes for 268 yards (14.1) and five touchdowns.
The offensive line was loaded with talented, including one of the most talented lineman that Whatcom County has ever produced. At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, junior guard Nick Scholten was an incredible force. The All-League 1st Teamer and All-State 1st Team selection had tremendous athleticism to go along with his immense size. Chris Bouma also stood out from the other guard position, and the 6-2 215-pound senior was named All-League 1st Team. Seniors Mark DeJong (6-3 240) and Trevor Lankhaar (5-10 190) were both named All-League Honroable Mention. The offense put up over 5000 yards and scores 65 touchdowns!
Scholten also led the way on the defensive line, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined by Lankhaar who was named All-League Honorable Mention. Bouma was a main-stay in the middle of the field, and was named All-League 2nd Team at inside linebacker. Bajema secured the edge, and he was named All-League 2nd Team at outside linebacker. Greg Dykstra was named All-League 1st Team at defensive back, and he intercepted four passes for 83 yards. Rob Dykstra was also intercepted four passes, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Roosma intercepted a pair of passes, while juniors Seth Leavitt and Caleb Wagenaar each picked off a pass.
Rob Dykstra was named All-League Honorable Mention at kicker with 41 extra points and one field goal. That field goal being the game winner as time expired for the state championship! Bouma was named All-League 2nd Team at punter, averaging 35.3 yards per punt. Mellema and Wagenaar handled the kickoff returns, and Greg Dykstra was named All-League 1st Team at returner. He averaged 12.8 yards per punt return, and he returned a punt for a touchdown against Cleveland.