RECORD: 8-3 – COACH: Bob Ames
LEAGUE: 7-2 (2nd Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 22.9 – Allowed: 9.7 – Differential: +13.2
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Meridian 21, Lynden 6
Week 2: Lynden Christian 14, Meridian 10
Week 3: Meridian 7, Nooksack Valley 6
Week 4: Meridian 20, Mount Baker 0
Week 5: Meridian 21, Blaine 7
Week 6: Lynden 29, Meridian 24
Week 7: Meridian 17, Lynden Christian 0
Week 8: Meridian 46, Nooksack Valley 12
Week 9: Meridian 23, Mount Baker 3
State Play-in Game: Meridian 41, Granite Falls 0
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Eatonville 30, Meridian 22
After making the state playoffs for the first time in school history in 1983, the Trojans made a run to the state championship in 1984. But, it took three years to get back to the postseason, and the ’87 team was loaded.
Behind center was the strong-armed senior, Todd Tutterow. The All-League 1st team quarterback completed 96 passes for 1557 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also ran for five touchdowns, and was named the League’s Offensive Player of the Year. He had the pleasure of handing off to some very talented backs, as well. Senior Frank Castaneda was a big-play threat every time he touched the ball. He ran for 713 yards (6.9 average) and eight touchdowns, and was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Art Mayshack had great speed, and tremendous strength at the running back position. He totaled 630 yards (5.1) and two touchdowns. He also caught 10 passes out of the backfield, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Brian Karber added 484 yards on the ground (6.0) and two scores.
6-foot-3 junior, Kelley Thrift, exploded onto the scene in 1987. Originally battling Tutterow for the quarterback job, he moved to wide receiver and dominated the rest of the league. He caught 37 passes for 775 yards (21.0) and seven touchdowns. He was named All-League 1st Team, and was also named All-State 1st Team. Senior wide receiver Chris Edmonds also had a good season, catching 21 passes for 225 yards (10.7) and two touchdowns. Fellow senior receiver John Coe caught on with 11 receptions for 175 yards (15.9) and two scores. Senior tight end Steve Haugen also had a big year with 18 catches for 271 yards (15.1) and three touchdowns.
The offensive line featured some amazing players as well. Converted fullback, junior Travis Bass was an All-League 1st Team pick as an offensive tackle, and he tremendous strength and speed. Junior Dennis Strickler was an All-League 2nd Team performer from his center position. Strickler was bookended by a great pair of senior guards, Bill Palmberg and Nathan Hull. Both were named All-League 2nd Team.
The defensive line was led by a pair of underclassmen. Junior Todd Pfannenstiel was small, but extremely quick and effective, and Bass teamed with him to cause havoc in the backfield. Both players were named All-League 2nd Team. Castaneda led the linebacking corps, and was named All-League 1st Team. The secondary was loaded with Edmonds, Thrift and senior Marc Urban. Edmonds led the team with seven interceptions, and was an obvious All-League 1st Team selection. Thrift picked off three passes, returning one of them for a touchdown, while Urban intercepted four passes, returning one for a score, and was named All-League 2nd Team.
Senior John Karuza was one of the best specialists of the decade. He booted 19 extra points and three field goals on his way to being named All-League 2nd Team as a kicker. He also averaged 32.2 yards per punt, and was an All-League 1st Teamer there. Pfannenstiel, Edmonds and senior Troy Linderman handled the kick returning.