RECORD: 7-2  –  COACH: Bob Ames

 LEAGUE: 6-2 (3rd Place in the NCC)

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 CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: None

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Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 39.8 – Allowed: 5.8 – Differential: +34.0

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GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 58, King’s 0

Week 2: Meridian 37, Nooksack Valley 3

Week 3: Meridian 74, Ocosta 0

Week 4: Meridian 26, Lynden Christian 7

Week 5: Blaine 21, Meridian 14

Week 6: Meridian 78, Sultan 7

Week 7: Mount Baker 14, Meridian 13

Week 8: Meridian 19, Lakewood 0

Week 9: Meridian 39, Granite Falls 0

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The 1998 Trojans might just be the best collection of talent to not play in the post season. Even though they averaged nearly 40 points per game, and allowed less than a touchdown per game, they lost a couple of heart-breakers to league opponents.

Junior quarterback Jeff Bennum showed tremendous passing ability, completing 93 passes for 1415 yards and 17 touchdowns to only six interceptions. He also ran for six touchdowns, and was named All-League 1st Team. He handed off to senior Jarred Johnson who totaled 383 yards (5.0 average) and five touchdowns, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Matt Matheson also contributed on the ground with 355 yards (4.9), six touchdowns, and he was an All-League Honorable Mention selection.

Meridian also had a fleet of receivers that could put some major numbers on the scoreboard. Senior wide outs, Aaron Hayes and Bear Cochran, were both named All-League 1st Team, and they each caught a team-high six touchdown passes. Hayes finished with 41 receptions for 502 yards (12.2), and Cochran hauled in 19 passes for 320 yards (16.8). Junior tight end Jarrod Karuza had a knack for making big plays, catching 12 passes for 259 yards (21.6) and three touchdowns. He was also an All-League 2nd Team pick. Senior Josh Macomber and sophomore Eli Slesk each caught seven passes, and had one touchdown. Slesk was an All-League Honorable Mention selection.

The offensive line had a good mix of seniors and juniors, and became adapt to run blocking and pass blocking. Junior Allen Conway led the way, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Seniors Trevor Bosman and Matt Munger were also huge up front, and were each named All-League Honorable Mention, as was junior Jake Pederson.

The defense was flat out amazing. They allowed just 43 first downs for the entire year. They allowed 796 total yards. They held opponents to a 23.8% completion percentage, only 20 completions! The defensive line made numerous plays behind the line. It was loaded with Munger, seniors John Wantz and Spencer Crockett, and juniors Chase Schmidtz and Cale Mabbott. Wantz was an All-League 1st Team pick. Munger, Schmidtz and Crockett were All-League 2nd Team picks, and Mabbot was named All-League Honorable Mention.

Cochran led the linebacking corps, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined by Hayes, who was named All-League 2nd Team, and junior Jimmy Nightingale was an All-League Honorable Mention selection. The secondary was also loaded with numerous athletes. Senior Josh Randall and Macomber were both named All-League 1st Team. Bennum was named All-League 2nd Team, and led the team with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Nightingale, Hayes and sophomore Joel Pears also each returned an interception for a touchdown.

Randall was a slam dunk choice as the All-League 1st Team kicker for the second season in a row. He nailed 32 extra points, and had five field goals. Slesk handled the punting, and averaged 37 yards per punt, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Randall and junior Corey Culp handled the kick returning, and Slesk had a great year returning punts. He totaled 310 yards, and was an All-League 2nd Team pick as a returner.