RECORD: 10-1 – COACH: Ron Lepper
LEAGUE: 8-0 (1st Place in the NCC)
CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: State Quarterfinalist
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 30.5 – Allowed: 11.8 – Differential: +18.7
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Mount Baker 28, Blaine 7
Week 2: Mount Baker 68, Granite Falls 0
Week 3: Mount Baker 24, Lynden Christian 0
Week 4: Mount Baker 21, King’s 14
Week 5: Mount Baker 49, Lakewood 21
Week 6: Mount Baker 50, Chimacum 28
Week 7: Mount Baker 14, Meridian 13
Week 8: Mount Baker 21, Nooksack Valley 16
Week 9: Mount Baker 39, Sultan 0
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Mount Baker 7, Castle Rock 0
State Quarterfinals: Elma 31, Mount Baker 14
In Ron Lepper’s third year as the head coach of the Mountaineers, he went from a 6-3 season that didn’t make the playoffs in 1996, to a playoff team in 1997, to an undefeated conference championship winning team in 1998.
Andy Grimes had one of the best seasons in school history at quarterback. The senior co-captain was named All-League 2nd Team while completing 41 passes for 484 yards and seven touchdowns. His passing accuracy was unmatched, completing 67.2% of his passes, and he only threw one interception. He also ran for 178 yards and a touchdown.
Junior Jim Schleimer followed up his brother Joe’s impressive season with an amazing season of his own. He ran for 1557 yards (6.2 average) and 28 touchdowns, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Sophomore Jeff Lawrence was a pleasant surprise, rushing for 497 yards (5.7) and five scores on his way to being named All-League Honorable Mention. Junior Wes Carson contributed with 323 yards (7.7) on the ground.
Senior Derek Isenhart, usually a fullback, was put into action at tight end, and he didn’t disappoint. He still did rush for 371 yards (5.3) and two touchdowns, but from the tight end position he caught 10 passes for 93 yards and two scores, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Adam McAbee provided a big target for Grimes (6-4) hauling in 14 passes for 193 yards (13.8) and a touchdown. He was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Rob Boleak split time with McAbee, catching five passes for 46 yards (9.2) and was named All-League Honorable Mention.
The offensive line was tremendous, and senior right tackle Brandon Welters was the undisputed leader. At 6-foot-2 and 296 pounds, “The Load” was a handful on opposing defenders, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Junior left tackle Isaac Parham used superior strength at left tackle, and he was also named All-League 1st Team. Junior Kyle Lukes and Klinton Moa were each named All-League 2nd Team, while junior Jesse Morris was an All-League Honorable Mention selection. The Mounties would rush for over 3300 yards and 39 touchdowns.
The Mount Baker defense shut out four opponents, including one in the state playoffs. It was led up front by the dynamic defensive end duo of Parham and Travis Galbraith. Both juniors, and both were named All-League 1st Team. Parham had 50 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and five forced fumbles. Galbraith had 69 total tackles, an amazing 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Moa, along with sophomore Bryce Hamilton, filled in the interior of the defensive line. Each recorded three sacks, and were named All-League Honorable Mention.
The linebacking corps was led by Isenhart in the middle. He accumulated 115 total tackles, six tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions on his way to being named All-League 1st Team. Morris joined him on the inside with 77 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and three interceptions. He was named All-League Honorable Mention. Schleimer and McAbee were the outside linebackers. Schleimer had 62 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six passes defended while being named All-League 1st Team. McAbee had 57 total tackles and five tackles for loss, and he was named All-League Honorable Mention.
Carson led the secondary from his free safety position, with 34 total tackles and three forced fumbles while being named All-League 1st Team. Sophomore Joe Mattingley was named All-League 2nd Team as a first-year starter at corner. He had 44 total tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Senior Ryan Cowden played at the other corner, and was named All-League Honorable Mention, totaling 30 tackles, six passes defended and two interceptions.
Cowden had a great year kicking, with 37 extra points and a field goal, and would be named All-League Honorable Mention. Galbraith also kicked a pair of extra points and a 35-yard field goal against Lynden Christian. Morris handled the punting.