RECORD: 7-3  –  COACH: Bob Ames

 LEAGUE: 7-3 (2nd Place in the WCL)

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 CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: None

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Scoring Stats “Per Game”

Points: 19.8 – Allowed: 6.9 – Differential: +12.9

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GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Meridian 20, Blaine 0

Week 2: Mount Baker 10, Meridian 8

Week 3: Meridian 21, Lynden Christian 0

Week 4: Meridian 33, Nooksack Valley 0

Week 5: Meridian 16, Lynden 7

Week 6: Meridian 35, Blaine 0

Week 7: Meridian 31, Mount Baker 18

Week 8: Meridian 27, Lynden Christian 0

Week 9: Nooksack Valley 12, Meridian 7

Week 10: Lynden 22, Meridian 0

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In one of the biggest turnarounds in Whatcom County history, the 1976 Trojans were a year removed from an 0-10 season, to the brink of their first league title.

Junior quarterback Kenny Shockey ran the veer like nobody else. He was named All-League 1st Team, completed 38 passes for 898 yards, 10 touchdowns, and he ran for 271 yards and four scores. The distribution in the backfield was pretty even, when they weren’t handing off to super sophomore, Dudley Nightingale. He finished with 471 yards (5.4 average), four touchdowns and an All-League 1st team selection. Senior Mike Kingma also had a good year on the ground. The former LC quarterback ran for 213 yards and two scores. Senior Jeff Rohwer ran for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while junior Jeff Gorsenger led the team with five rushing touchdowns.

The major strength of the team was its offensive line. Senior tight ends Dale Wasel and Jim Unruh were great blockers, and they made amazing plays down the field. Wasel was named All-League 1st Team, catching 13 passes for 316 yards (24.3) and three touchdowns. Unruh hauled in nine passes for 162 yards (18.0) and two scores. The offensive linemen featured seniors Jeff Hemnes and Lyle Jones, each were named on the All-League 1st Team. They were joined by seniors Roe Castaneda and Kris Mackey, and sophomore Kelly Welch.

Defensively, Castaneda was the rock in the middle of the field. The hard hitting, 5-foot-9 210-pound middle linebacker was an All-League 1st Team selection, and he was a “Bob Ames-type” of player. Shockey led the team with five interceptions, while Wasel picked off four passes, returning one for a touchdown.