Top 150 #125 – 1978 Lynden Lions

RECORD: 7-3  –  COACH: Rollie DeKoster

 LEAGUE: 7-3 (2nd Place in the WCL)

 CLASSIFICATION: A – PLAYOFFS: None

Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 16.3 – Allowed: 8.4 – Differential: +7.9

GAME BY GAME:

Week 1: Lynden 34, Mount Baker 6

Week 2: Lynden 10, Blaine 8

Week 3: Nooksack Valley 20, Lynden 3

Week 4: Lynden 30, Lynden Christian 0

Week 5: Lynden 20, Meridian 0

Week 6: Lynden 6, Mount Baker 0

Week 7: Blaine 14, Lynden 3

Week 8: Lynden 33, Nooksack Valley 6

Week 9: Lynden 2, Lynden Christian 0

Week 10: Meridian 30, Lynden 22


The 1978 Lions had a tremendous season, with four shutout wins and a win against the eventual state champion Blaine Borderites, but it wasn’t enough to make the playoffs, losing a heart-breaker on the road against Meridian on the final week of the season.

Lynden seniors
Lynden seniors

In classic Rollie-form, The Lions had seven different players through a pass in that wacky offense. The main signal caller was the diminutive (5-6 145) senior, John Weeks. He completed 17 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 127 yards, two touchdowns and was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior running back Brian Anderson was the main ball-carrier, with 680 yards (4.5 average) and seven touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 59 yards (14.8) and was named All-League 2nd Team. Senior Mike Hill was a force at 210 pounds and he contributed 320 yards on the ground, while hulking sophomore Leif Erickson ran for 237 yards.

Leif Erickson
Leif Erickson

Senior Rick Weidkamp was an All-League 1st Team receiver, and he led the team with six catches for 67 yards (11.2) and a touchdown. Senior Jim Jamie caught five passes while fellow senior Garth Allen also caught four passes.

Mark Morgan
Mark Morgan

The offensive line was led by the 5-11 180-pound junior Mark Morgan, who was named All-League 1st Team. Senior Dwight Young (5-10 175) also stood out, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Lynden averaged over 150 yards rushing per game, and ran for 18 touchdowns.

Gary Allen
Gary Allen

Allowing only 8.4 points per game, the defense was the main strength for the Lions. Senior Jim Jamie was the main man on the defensive line, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Joining Jamie was Allen, who was named All-League 2nd Team. Anderson and Hill led the linebacking corps. Anderson was named All-League 1st Team, while Hill was on the 2nd Team. Weeks intercepted a pass in week one against Mount Baker and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, and he went on to be named All-League 1st Team at defensive back.

Junior Benji Lange proved to be the top kicker with 12 extra points, three field goals, and he was named All-League 1st Team. Anderson had some monster punts, and was named All-League 2nd Team.