HS Football: Lynden goes back to basics in big win over Squalicum

9/15/2023

Lynden 35, Squalicum 0

(Lynden, WA) Playing with 11 State Championship banners hanging in one of the most picturesque settings in high school football can be intimidating for many teams but even the 2-time defending state champs can hit a road bump now and then. Lynden began the year having their 24-game win streak snapped dropping to Ferndale 17-14. The Lions bounced back last week with a lopsided win over WF West in a nin-league game.

But when the games start to count that’s when you want to be ready to put your best on the field and Squalicum was rolling in on a 2-0 win streak and looking to show you better not look past them.

In the opening drive Lynden had a short possession and then had to punt. The Lynden defense that gave up huge yardage on the ground to Ferndale was in no mood to do that again and quickly held the Storm to a 3 and out.

The Lions 2nd possession began on their own 44 and in 5 plays Brant Heppner hit Brady Elsner on a 29-strike where Elsner made a great play to get his foot down in the front corner of the endzone for the score. Freshman Malachi Koenen hit the PAT for a 7-0 lead. After a quick 3 and out the Lions struck again on their next possession by returning to the basic pounding the ball with RB’s Luke Human and Charlie Ayers and QB Heppner. The 10-play drive was ended with Human piling across the goal line from the 4 and the Lions were up 14-0.

Lynden would add to that lead when they scored on a 3rd straight possession this time beginning on their own 47 and Charlie Ayers surging in from the 1 to push their lead to 21-0. Big plays were extremely limited for the Storm but following the 21-0 lead Joaqin Ortiz busted off a huge 24 yard run but unfortunately the Storm couldn’t follow that up and turned the ball over back to the Lions. But Squalicum was able to hold the Lions to the 21-0 lead at the half.

The Storm got the ball to begin the 3rd quarter but had to punt it away. Lynden then quickly added to their lead going 58 yards on 5 plays with Brant Heppner finishing it off with a 4 yard blast. On their next possession Lynden sealed the deal after Human ran it in from the 3. He set the last score up himself busting off a 42 yard scamper deep into Storm territory and Lynde had their 35-0 lead which held up as the final score.

The Lions rolled up 415 yards in offense with 240 on the ground and 175 through the air while limiting the Storm to just 236. Human led all rushers with 146 yards and 2 TD, Heppner had 35 and a score and Ayers ran 28 yards and added a TD. Heppner finished 12 of 23 throwing the ball for 175 yards a touchdown. Catching that ball was Brady Elsner who hauled in 5 for 85 yards. Cooper Moore also caught 5 for 77 yards. Weston VanDalan had an interception.

Squalicum was led by Ortiz who had 2 rushes for 25 yards and 3 catches for 63 racking up 88 total yards of the 236 total yards. Marcus Nixon ran the ball 14 times from his QB position for 39 yards and was 8 of 12 throwing the ball for 125 yards.

Our MVP of the game went to Luke Human for the Lions. Lynden is now 2-1 on the year, 1-0 in league play and have a huge showdown at Sedro Woolley next Friday. Squalicum will look to bounce back next Friday when they host Archbishop-Murphy.

If you’d like more on this game click on the ESN Post Game show below followed by interviews and game highlights. If you’d like to watch the replay you can do so on the following link on the NFHS Network, you do need a subscription to view. Lynden vs Squalicum game replay

ESN Post Game Show