RECORD: 5-4 – COACH: Bob Ames
LEAGUE: 5-4 (3rd Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: None
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 23.8 – Allowed: 12.0 – Differential: +11.8
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Meridian 20, Lynden Christian 6
Week 2: Meridian 32, Nooksack Valley 6
Week 3: Mount Baker 13, Meridian 10
Week 4: Meridian 46, Blaine 6
Week 5: Lynden 14, Meridian 0
Week 6: Lynden Christian 21, Meridian 20
Week 7: Meridian 21, Nooksack Valley 6
Week 8: Mount Baker 22, Meridian 12
Week 9: Meridian 53, Blaine 14
Even though the 1982 Trojans didn’t make the playoffs, they began that push that would evolve into next season’s team. They had a great senior class, and they had some very strong underclassmen beginning to make their mark.
Sophomore Shawn Scott was under center during the season, but wasn’t asked to throw a whole lot. He completed 12 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 170 yards (5.0 average) and a pair of scores. He had one of the greatest pair of senior running backs that Whatcom County saw in the 1980’s, and he gave them the rock over 120 times each. Brian Martinson led the entire county in rushing, and combined amazing strength and speed. He was named All-League 1st Team and had 956 yards (7.5 average) and 11 touchdowns. He ran for 343 yards against Blaine, and still stands as the school record. Duffy Cox is widely regarded as one of the greatest Trojans of all-time. He was named All-League 2nd Team and ran for 851 yards (6.9) and 12 touchdowns. Junior Kurt Rick added 183 yards (4.7) on the ground.
Junior tight end Rob Aswegan led Meridian in receiving with nine catches for 243 yards. He joined senior center Brian Ruese, junior guard Travis Welch and senior tackle Don Gorsenger to form an amazing offensive line. All three players were named All-League 1st Team, and it was the third season in a row for Welch. The line paved the way for 2387 yards rushing and 26 rushing touchdowns.
On defense, Welch became Meridian’s first ever underclassman to be named All-State. He forced every team to run away from his defensive end spot. He would occasionally drop back in coverage, and he intercepted a pass against Mount Baker and brought it back for a touchdown. He was named All-League 1st Team on the defensive line, as was fellow junior Terry Martinson. Brian Martinson was an All-League 2nd Team selection as a nose guard. Cox was named All-League 1st Team at linebacker for the second year in a row, and at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he did more that just stand out. Senior Chris Haugen was named All-League 1st Team at defensive back, and led the team with seven interceptions. Rick was an All-League 2nd Teamer, and he intercepted a pass. Scott and Aswegan each intercepted two passes.
Brian Martinson was the kicker, and he hit 17 extra points and a field goal. He also returned eight kickoffs for 207 yards (25.9) and one touchdown. Cox also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.