Coach: Bob Ames, 44th season with Meridian (307-155)
Home Field: Meridian High School
Last Season: 6-6 (3-3 NWC)
Key Losses: TE/LB Andrew Logan; OL/DL Brenten Fox; WR/DB Dawson Phillips.
Top Returnees: QB/P Simon Burkett; OL/LB Manny Sabalza; TE/LB Tony Schleimer; WR/DB T.J. Dykstra; WR/DB Dawson Logan.
- Simon Burkett – Quarterback/Punter
Now in his third year as the starting quarterback, Slingin’ Simon could pass the Trojans all the way to the Tacoma Dome.
2. Manny Sabalza – Center/Guard/Middle Linebacker
He’s strong, he’s smart and he gets the job done. He will be heavily leaned upon on the offensive line, and at middle linebacker. He knows how to use his leverage and should have a huge season.
3. Tony Schleimer – Tight End/Linebacker
He caught 40 passes out of the backfield last season, so a move to tight end would seem natural. His toughness will help blocking when the Trojans run their dreaded veer.
4. T.J. Dykstra – Wide Receiver/Safety
He was Burkett’s main outside target last season, and he has the speed and hands to have an even bigger season in 2017. He also takes over as the free safety.
Fastest Players: Bryce Vandenhaak, Simon Burkett, T.J. Dykstra and Cole Roberts.
Strongest Players: Manny Sabalza, Cole Roberts and Trevor Pagnossin.
Smartest Players: Simon Burkett, Manny Sabalza and T.J. Dykstra.
Who will be Meridian’s breakout player?
Adam Kruzich – Offensive Tackle/Defensive Line
Only a junior, Kruzich stands out at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. Yes, a Meridian Trojan that is OVER 200 pounds. His father, Mike Kruzich, was a standout player for Sehome in the mid-80’s.
2016 RESULTS
Meridian 33, Anacortes 7
Blaine 45, Meridian 35
Cascade Christian 34, Meridian 33
Meridian 34, Lynden Christian 30
Nooksack Valley 47, Meridian 34
Mount Baker 41, Meridian 28
Meridian 33, Lynden Christian 28
Meridian 47, Nooksack Valley 20
Mount Baker 49, Meridian 7
Meridian 17, King’s 14
Meridian 34, Cascade Christian 21
Connell 56, Meridian 21
2016 SCHEDULE
09/01 – at Anacortes – 7 PM
09/08 – at Blaine- 7 PM
09/15 – Cascade Christian – 6 PM
09/22 – at Lynden Christian – 7 PM
09/29 – Nooksack Valley – 7 PM
10/06 – Mount Baker – 7 PM
10/13 – Lynden Christian – 7 PM
10/20 – at Nooksack Valley – 7 PM
10/27 – at Mount Baker – 7 PM
If you count the time put in as an assistant coach before arriving at Meridian in 1974, Bob Ames is now in his 50th year of coaching. When you look at it that way, his traditional “Hawaii” backwards baseball cap is relatively young, at only 33 years old. He’s seen it all over the years.
He was a veteran coach when the other three coaches in the league were rookies. He even coached against long-time Lynden Christian coach Dan Kaemingk when Kaemingk played quarterback at LC in the late 70’s and early 80’s. And while everyone is pointing to this season as one of the toughest to predict for the dreaded 1A Northwest Conference, Ames has seen it like this before.
“This whole area is loaded with great coaches and great players,” said Ames. “Over the years, I’ve found it as more of an anomaly when the league isn’t loaded from top to bottom.”
Senior Slingin’ Simon Burkett is back for another season at quarterback after attempting a Whatcom County record-367 passes last year. The Eastern Washington bound signal caller may need to get some ice ready for that right shoulder, as he has some of his favorite targets back from last year.
One of those targets is senior Tony Schleimer, who caught 40 passes out of the backfield last season. This year he will be moved to tight end, replacing Andrew Logan. Andrew’s little brother Dawson will back up Burkett at quarterback, but he figured to see some playing time at wide receiver, along with 6-foot-2 senior T.J. Dykstra. Dykstra had a great season last year, and is just another weapon for the Ames offense.
Senior Bryce Vandenhaak returns at running back, and should get the bulk of the carries. He has great speed and strength, and should have a pretty big season. Junior Cole Roberts will also get some carries.
Senior Manny Sabalza could play center or guard, depending on the opponent, and should be the best player up front for the Trojans. Junior left tackle Adam Kruzich has great size (6-2 215) and he returns from last year. Senior Baker Otter has been moved to the offensive line to help out a unit that has been struggling. “Our line is what it is right now,” Ames said.
The defensive line is small, but it’s quick. Kruzich should be a mainstay up front, along with senior Matthew Belanger. Sabalza is back at middle linebacker, and his physical abilities, along with his smarts, will allow him to have another great season. Schleimer played some safety last year, but should help our Sabalaza at linebacker this season, along with Roberts. Dykstra will head up the secondary at safety, and he will be joined by Logan, Vandenhaak and senior Lukas Hemenway.
Coach Ames will find a way to win games, and put his players in the best spots to be successful. A lot could hinge on how the offensive line can protect for Burkett, and if they can, it will be another playoff run for the “Trohahns”.
2017 Roster
| Number | Name | Height | Weight | Pos | Year |
| 1 | Dawson Logan | 6′ 1″ | 165 | QB | 11 |
| 2 | Cameron Webster | 6′ 0″ | 145 | TE | 10 |
| 3 | Dante Castaneda | 5′ 6″ | 148 | RB | 11 |
| 4 | Jake Cheney | 5′ 8″ | 160 | RB | 12 |
| 5 | Cole Roberts | 5′ 6″ | 170 | RB | 11 |
| 8 | Bryce Vandenhaak | 5′ 8″ | 155 | RB | 12 |
| 12 | Matthew Belanger | 6′ 0″ | 192 | TE | 12 |
| 13 | Simon Burkett | 6′ 3″ | 185 | QB | 12 |
| 14 | Harlon Stuit | 6′ 3″ | 155 | WR | 11 |
| 16 | Alex Carrillo | 5′ 1″ | 120 | RB | 11 |
| 20 | Josh Neeter | 5′ 7″ | 150 | WR | 11 |
| 21 | Lukas Hemenway | 5′ 10″ | 152 | WR | 12 |
| 22 | Trent Martin | 5′ 3″ | 100 | RB | 10 |
| 29 | Dylan Watt | 5′ 8″ | 100 | RB | 10 |
| 31 | Baker Otter | 5′ 10″ | 160 | C | 12 |
| 32 | Tony Schleimer | 6′ 0″ | 180 | TE | 12 |
| 33 | Dylan Hickok | 5′ 10″ | 160 | RB | 11 |
| 44 | Bryson Hickok | 5′ 8″ | 145 | RB | 12 |
| 45 | Tanner Bouwman | 5′ 6″ | 150 | RB | 11 |
| 50 | Enrique Gomez | 5′ 9″ | 155 | C | 11 |
| 52 | Tyler Bull | 5′ 3″ | 145 | OL | 10 |
| 54 | Elijah Guzman | 5′ 4″ | 150 | OL | 10 |
| 61 | Manny Sabalza | 5′ 6″ | 190 | C | 12 |
| 65 | Trevor Pagnossin | 6′ 1″ | 190 | OL | 11 |
| 66 | Jurshawn Pina-Wilson | 5′ 8″ | 160 | OL | 11 |
| 70 | Nathan Rutledge | 5′ 3″ | 100 | OL | 9 |
| 71 | Joseph Plagerman | 6′ 0″ | 110 | OL | 10 |
| 72 | Zeke Thompson | 6′ 0″ | 113 | OL | 10 |
| 74 | Hesser Sotello | 5′ 6″ | 150 | OL | 11 |
| 75 | Sam Brooks | 5′ 11″ | 195 | OL | 10 |
| 77 | Adam Kruzich | 6′ 2″ | 215 | T | 11 |
| 81 | TJ Dykstra | 6′ 2″ | 175 | WR | 12 |
| 85 | Trent Gookstetter | 5′ 5″ | 100 | TE | 10 |
| 88 | Luke Gookstetter | 5′ 9″ | 155 | WR | 12 |
| 89 | Kevin Galiano | 5′ 5″ | 100 | WR | 10 |
| 99 | Taylor Snook | 5′ 5″ | 100 | TE/K | 10 |