RECORD: 9-3 – COACH: Bob Ames
LEAGUE: 7-1 (1st Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 28.6 – Allowed: 12.1 – Differential: +16.5
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Mount Baker 28, Meridian 21
Week 2: Meridian 13, Bellingham 7
Week 3: Meridian 35, Lynden Christian 12
Week 4: Meridian 42, Blaine 20
Week 5: Meridian 35, Nooksack Valley 6
Week 6: Meridian 21, Mount Baker 0
Week 7: Colville 35, Meridian 7
Week 8: Meridian 27, Lynden Christian 3
Week 9: Meridian 42, Blaine 0
Week 10: Meridian 38, Nooksack Valley 7
State Play-in Game: Meridian 42, King’s 0
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Montesano 27, Meridian 20
The Trojans entered 2004 riding high. They had just went undefeated in the season prior, winning their second state championship in school history. They were also returning All-State quarterback, Jordan Slesk. But, they also had to completely rebuild their offensive line, as well as replace key players on the defense.
Slesk was named All-State 1st Team for the second season in a row, only the second quarterback in Whatcom County history to accomplish that feat (Sean Linville was the first). He completed 170 passes for 2348 yards and 27 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. He also ran for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Slesk also remains the Trojan record holder in career completions (470), yards (6876) and touchdowns (84), and that is quite an accomplishment with all of the talent that has lined up behind center dressed in black.
Junior Tyler Culp emerged as the top running back, getting the bulk of the carries. He ran for 884 yards (5.5 average) and nine touchdowns, while catching 15 passes for 119 yards (7.9) and a touchdown. Senior Brad Wiegand chipped in with 186 yards (5.2) and a score.
Slesk had a wealth of receivers to throw to in 2004. Senior tight end Mac Van Diest was a huge mismatch problem for opposing defenses. He caught 42 passes for 549 yards (13.1) and 12 touchdowns. He was named All-League 1st Team, and was appropriately named All-State 1st Team. Senior Matt Karuza had a huge, breakout season for Meridian. He caught a team-high 52 passes for 682 yards (13.1) and four touchdowns. He was also named All-League 1st Team, and was an All-State 2nd Team pick. Senior Matt Hagen was named All-League 2nd Team, with 35 catches for 559 yards (16.0) and four touchdowns, while junior Josh Keough was the big-play threat with 26 receptions for 558 yards (21.5) and six touchdowns.
As mentioned earlier, the offensive line was completely rebuilt, and they did they rebuilding around a great pair of seniors. Bryan Cronk was the rock of the o-line, and was named All-League 1st Team. John Guthridge was another that had a great season, and was named All-League 2nd Team.
The defense… well, it was your standard Meridian defense, it was awesome, tossing three shutouts. Van Diest led the charge, and was named All-League 1st Team on the line. He was joined up front by Cronk, who was named All-League 2nd Team, as well as an up and coming sophomore, Chris Appel, who was also an All-League 2nd Team selection. Culp was the main man in the middle, and was an All-League 1st Team selection at linebacker. He was joined by Guthridge who got the nod as an All-League 2nd Teamer. The defensive backfield was loaded. Slesk and Karuza were each named All-League 1st Team, and Hagen was an All-League 2nd Team pick.
Karuza did it all in the kicking game, being named All-League 1st team at both kicker and punter. He booted 36 extra points and one field goal, and he also averaged 36.4 yards per punt. Culp returned the kickoffs and Hagen was the punt returner.