RECORD: 8-2 – COACH: Curt Kramme
LEAGUE: 7-1 (1st Place in the NWL)
CLASSIFICATION: AA – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 24.8 – Allowed: 14.9 – Differential: +9.9
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Lynden 20, Stanwood 13
Week 2: Mount Vernon 21, Lynden 13
Week 3: Lynden 23, Bellingham 21
Week 4: Lynden 43, Sedro Woolley 0
Week 5: Lynden 31, Bainbridge Island 8
Week 6: Lynden 21, Burlington-Edison 14
Week 7: Lynden 19, Sehome 18
Week 8: Lynden 39, Anacortes 19
Week 9: Lynden 26, Ferndale 15
State Playoffs: 1st Round: Renton 20, Lynden 13
The 1994 Lions were in just their second year of the Northwest League, and they showed the “big boys” that they can play with anyone, becoming the league champion.
The Lions had a decision to make at quarterback. Senior Andy Jones had proved to be valuable at the position the previous two years, but the Lions needed Jones’ athleticism at other offensive positions, and that opened the door for junior signal caller, Matt Wall. Wall completed 38 passes for 650 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 154 yards and three more scores. When he wasn’t chuckin’ the rock he was handing it to his brother, senior, Ben Wall. Ben carried the ball 212 times for 1414 yards (6.7 average) and 18 touchdowns. He was named All-League 1st Team, as well as All-State 2nd Team and ended his career as the school’s All-Time leading rusher, surpassing the speedy Scott Noteboom. A great deal of Wall’s running lanes were cleared by his senior fullback, Andy Hanson. He finished with 458 yards on the ground (5.7), three touchdowns and was named All-League 2nd Team. Fleet-footed senior Eric In added 195 yards rushing (4.8) and one touchdown.
Mostly using a double-tight end look on offense, both ends had great receiving seasons. Senior Rob Van Diest led the team in receiving with 14 catches for 285 yards (20.4), three touchdowns (including an overtime game-winner in week one), and he was named All-League Honorable Mention. Senior Turner Stiers was the other tight end, catching 11 passes for 197 yards (17.9) and one touchdown. Jones was used as both a wingback and a wide receiver, and he hauled in seven passes for 156 yards (22.3).
The offensive line did very well, and had two promising underclassmen. The first was super sophomore, Chris Polinder. He was the only Lion o-lineman to be named All-League 1st Team, and he was recognized state-wide, being named All-State 2nd Team. Junior Trevor Kleindel used great size (6-0 250) and strength, and he was named All-League 2nd Team. The entire line paved the way for over 2500 yards on the ground to go with 28 touchdowns.
The defensive line got into the opposing backfield may times, and it was led by three seniors: Jed Hougan, Chuck Millsap and Dante Attolini. Hougan had huge numbers from his defensive end spot, leading the team with 14 QB’s harassed, nine sacks and eight tackles for loss. The other end was Millsap, and he totaled 56.5 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Attolini was in the middle of the line, and at 265 pounds was a huge load to block. He ended with 34 tackles and six tackles for a loss. All three players were named All-League 2nd Team.
Senior Ben Hardman was stout at middle linebacker, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. He led the team with 83.5 total tackles. He also had five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three pass deflections. Junior outside linebacker John Hilt was all over the field. It was actually hard to put a defensive position on him, but he was named All-League 1st Team at linebacker. He finished with 61 total tackles, seven sacks, five tackles for loss, seven pass deflections, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Lynden’s strength on defense looked to be it’s secondary. Van Diest and Jones were each named All-League 1st Team, with Van Diest also being named All-State 2nd Team. Jones had three interceptions and seven pass deflections while Van Diest finished with five interceptions and 61 total tackles. Ben Wall also had a great year on defense, tying for a team-high five interceptions. He also had 65 total tackles and a sack.
Jones handled the kicking duties, punching in 17 extra points and two field goals. Hanson averaged 32.3 yards per punt. Ben Wall returned punts while he, along with Jones and In, returned kickoffs.