RECORD: 8-1 – COACH: Birger Solberg
LEAGUE: 8-1 (T-1st Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: Lost Mini Play-in Game
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 22.1 – Allowed: 7.0 – Differential: +15.1
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Nooksack Valley 27, Lynden Christian 0
Week 2: Nooksack Valley 47, Blaine 8
Week 3: Nooksack Valley 13, Mount Baker 0
Week 4: Meridian 13, Nooksack Valley 7
Week 5: Nooksack Valley 16, Lynden 10
Week 6: Nooksack Valley 22, Lynden Christian 6
Week 7: Nooksack Valley 22, Blaine 12
Week 8: Nooksack Valley 19, Mount Baker 0
Week 9: Nooksack Valley 26, Meridian 14
Mini-Playoff Play-in Game: Lynden 14, Nooksack Valley 0
If it wasn’t for a week four loss against Meridian, it may have been the Nooksack Valley Pioneers playing in the 1980 King Bowl. Instead, the Lynden Lions won the state championship, with their only loss coming to the Pioneers. The talent was there, but the playoffs weren’t, as Nooksack Valley would lose a mini-playoff game to Lynden.
Senior Randy Mitchell started at quarterback for the second straight season, and he had a great one! He completed 80 passes for 1069 yards and eight touchdowns. The 6-foot-3 185-pounder was also named All-League 1st Team.
Chuck Handy was the main offensive weapon for the Pioneers in 1980. In fact, he was the main offensive weapon of the Whatcom County League, and was named the League’s Offensive Player of the Year. The 5-foot-9 155-pound senior ran for 565 yards (6.9 average) and eight touchdowns, while catching 24 passes for 343 yards (14.3) and two scores. Junior Jim Van Diest ran hard between the tackles, totaling 379 yards on the ground (4.6) and three scores. Senior Jim Harmon added 146 yards rushing (3.7) and three touchdowns.
6-foot-4 senior Allen Vinkes provided a huge target for Mitchell on the outside, catching 23 passes for 309 yards (13.4) and four touchdowns, and would be named All-League 1st Team at wide receiver. Junior Jay Schweigert showed his top-notch athleticism with 20 receptions for 220 yards (11.0) and two scores. He would be named All-League 2nd Team. Sophomore Glen Leenders showed off his skills, catching eight passes for 132 yards (16.5).
The Pioneers’ explosive offense ran behind a strong offensive line. It began with senior center, Jeff Todahl. The 6-foot-1 185-pounder was named All-League 1st Team. He teamed with fellow senior, Bill Edwards (5-7 155), who was named All-League 2nd Team.
The Nooksack Valley defense recorded three shutouts in 1980, and only gave up seven points per game. Massive senior Lyle Olesen (6-2 205), along with Vinkes, led the attack up front. Vinkes was named All-League 1st Team, with Olesen nabbing 2nd Team honors. The back half of the defense was led by Handy, who was not only named All-League 1st Team, but was also All-State 1st Team. Schweigert also played well in the secondary, and was named All-League 2nd Team.
Vinkes kicked 12 extra points and a field goal, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. Olesen also kicked two extra points. Handy returned three punts for touchdowns, proving he was a threat any time he touched the football.