RECORD: 10-4 – COACH: Gary Van Hulzen
LEAGUE: 6-3 (2nd Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: “A” – Playoffs: State Finalist
POINTS PER GAME: 18.2 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 13.1
POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +5.1
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Lynden Christian 19, Meridian 13
Week 2: Mount Baker 20, Lynden Christian 0
Week 3: Lynden Christian 14, Lynden 0
Week 4: Lynden Christian 34, Nooksack Valley 2
Week 5: Blaine 19, Lynden Christian 7
Week 6: Lynden Christian 29, Meridian 13
Week 7: Mount Baker 20, Lynden Christian 6
Week 8: Lynden Christian 19, Lynden 14
Week 9: Lynden Christian 28, Nooksack Valley 0
State Play-In Game: Lynden Christian 35, South Whidbey 18
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Lynden Christian 14, Eatonville 12
State Quarterfinals: Lynden Christian 21, Mount Baker 20
State Semifinals: Lynden Christian 14, Tenino 0
State Championship: Ephrata 32, Lynden Christian 15
Following a pair of 2-win seasons, it would have been a big stretch to predict greatness for the 1986 Lynden Christian Lyncs. But after a week one 19-13 win against Meridian (LC’s first win over the Trojans since 1982) at Civic Stadium, it seemed that the Lyncs were in for a heck of a season. It would be the first trip to the state playoffs for Lynden Christian, and it was a memorable one.
Darren Johnson started at running back as a sophomore in 1984, and he became the starting quarterback in 1985. Now in his second season behind center, the 6-foot tall senior had plenty of varsity experience, mastered the roll-out pass and he put up numbers that broke many school records at the time. He completed 110 passes for 1596 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also ran for 162 yards, one touchdown, and he was named All-League 2nd Team.
Senior Rick Mellema was utilized in both the running game and passing game. He rushed for 757 yards (4.3 average) and eight touchdowns, while catching 25 passes for 246 yards (9.8) and two more scores. He would go on to be named All-League 1st Team. Senior fullback Kent Roorda pounded out 454 yards (3.5) between the tackles and was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Kerry Vander Griend contributed with 211 yards on the ground (3.7) and three touchdowns.
Vander Griend also proved his worth as a receiver, catching 15 passes for 224 yadrs (14.9) and two touchdowns, but senior Craig Shagren was Johnson’s main target. The 6-foot-3 190-pound tight end had a season for the ages, and still regarded as the best tight end in school history. He caught 47 passes for 876 yards (18.6) and 11 touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team as well as All-State 1st Team.
The offensive line was led by big senior Rob Heerspink. He was named All-League 1st Team, and was the main man up front. Left handed senior center Chad Chambers also had a great season, and was named All-League 2nd Team. An extremely balanced team, the ’86 Lyncs became the first team in Whatcom County history to run for over 1700 yards and pass for over 1700 yards in the same season.
The defensive line was headed up by Shagren and senior Rick Bajema, both of which were named All-League 1st Team, with Shagren scoring a defensive touchdown against Meridian. They were joined by senior Gary Groothuis and junior Steve Korthuis, who were both named All-League 2nd Team. Roorda was the heart and soul of the defense from his middle linebacker position, and he was named All-League 1st Team, and was also chosen as the Whatcom County League Defensive Player of the Year. Senior Andy Mellema led the secondary, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined by Rick Mellema and junior Barry DeZeeuw, both were named All-League 2nd Team. John Geleynse also took an interception back 80 yards for a touchdown agasinst Nooksack Valley. DeZeeuw was also named All-League 2nd Team at kicker, and he hit on 19 extra points and a field goal.
This is a special team in Lynden Christian’s history, and his highly credited for lifting the program up and setting the bar at a new level for future Lync gridders.