RECORD: 10-2 – COACH: Bob Ames
LEAGUE: 5-1 (T-1st Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: “A” – Playoffs: State Semifinalist
POINTS PER GAME: 32.9 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 11.4
POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +21.5
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Meridian 35, Nooksack Valley 14
Week 2: Meridian 35, Mount Baker 0
Week 3: Lynden Christian 21, Meridian 7
Week 4: Meridian 35, Lynden 13
Week 5: Meridian 28, Mount Baker 7
Week 6: Meridian 35, Nooksack Valley 8
Week 7: Meridian 42, Friday Harbor 6
Week 8: Meridian 63, Aldergrove (BC) 6
Week 9: Meridian 31, Blaine 14
Mini Play-In Game: Meridian 14, Lynden Christian 6
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Meridian 25, Montesano 17
State Quarterfinals: Meridian 35, Steilacoom 7
State Semifinals: Eatonville 27, Meridian 24
The 1992 Trojans were loaded with one of the best senior classes in Whatcom County history. They started 10 seniors on defense, had the best special teams in the county, and became the first team in Whatcom County history to score over 50 touchdowns in a season.
In his third season at starting quarterback, Bob Bennum had all the tools to lead this team. He completed 88 passes for 1338 yards and 16 touchdowns, to only four interceptions. He also ran for 420 yards (3.8 average) and seven touchdowns, and was an easy selection as the All-League 1st Team quarterback. He finished his career as only the second player in Whatcom County history to surpass over 3000 yards passing (Bellingham’s Sean Linville was the first).
The Trojans had a trio of horses in the backfield. Senior Rick Paxton got the bulk of the carries, rushing for 620 yards (5.6) and 12 touchdowns. Senior Nick Marino added 445 yards (5.6) and nine scores, while junior Patrick Ames had 364 yards (4.6) and seven touchdowns. Paxton was named All-League 1st Team, Marino was All-League 2nd Team and Ames was an All-League Honorable Mention selection.
The receiving corps was loaded as well, with a trio of seniors that complimented each other very well. Ty Harrison was smooth as silk, catching everything thrown his way, and he could change direction on a dime without losing speed. He finished with 44 receptions for 636 yards (14.5) and eight touchdowns. That made at five players on the team that scored at least seven touchdowns, which was the first time in Whatcom County history that had ever happened. Joey Simmons made huge plays, and had a great knack for breaking tackles. He caught 29 passes for 506 yards (17.4) and four touchdowns. Harrison and Simmons were each named All-League 1st Team.
Kurt Roy was a “jack-of-all-trades” kind of player, that was extremely dependable. Usually lining up in the slot, or at tight end, he caught 11 passes for 176 yards (16.0) and four touchdowns. He would be named All-League 2nd Team, and was most likely the best backup quarterback in the Whatcom County League.
Being a team that scored 55 touchdowns, the offensive line had to be great, and it was. It was anchored by third-year starter, senior Christopher Ames. The 5-foot-11 215-pound left tackle used his overpowering strength, to go along with his football knowledge, to manhandle his opponents. He was named All-League 1st Team, and was also named All-State 1st Team. He was joined by the perfect pair of pulling guards, seniors Josh Lehman and Jeff Crnich. Lehman had unmatched strength, to go along with his 4.8 40-time speed, and although Crnich was smaller in build, he was nasty and he had great technique. They were both named All-League 1st Team. Senior Kevin Van De Wege was named All-League 2nd Team at center, and senior Greg Vaughn was an All-League Honorable Mention selection as the right tackle.
The defensive line was led by Lehman and Crnich as the defensive ends. Meridian would generally get a two or three touchdown lead, forcing it’s opponents to throw, and that was when they got after it. Both were named All-League 1st Team. The interior of the defensive line was filled by Ames, and senior Jason Wiggins. Wiggins became the most improved player on the team throughout the season, and was completely dominant in the post season. Both players were named All-League Honorable Mention.
Simmons led the linebackers from his outside position. Almost a hybrid strong safety/outside linebacker, “The Python” had a knack for being around the ball, and making key plays. He was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined in the middle of the field with Paxton and seniors Greg Anderson and Rich Lane. Paxton and Anderson were named All-League 2nd Team, and Lane was named All-League Honorable Mention.
The secondary was loaded with Harrison, Bennum and Roy. Harrison was named All-League 1st Team, and was chosen as the Whatcom County League Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named All-State 1st Team. Bennum was chosen All-League 1st Team for the second year in a row, and Roy was an All-League 2nd Team pick. Harrison and Bennum each had five interceptions.
Harrison had a tremendous year on the special teams, doing almost everything. He was named All-League 1st Team at both kicker and punter, and was probably the best returner in the League. He kicked 39 extra points, and four field goals (including a 47-yarder in the playoffs). He also average 36 yards per punt, and rarely had a return attempted on his punts, because of the hang time he was able to put on the ball. He also returned 32 punts for 328 yards and a touchdown.