RECORD: 8-2 – COACH: Jim Rasar
LEAGUE: 7-1 (2nd Place in the NCC)
CLASSIFICATION: 2A – PLAYOFFS: Lost in 1st Round
Scoring Stats “Per Game”
Points: 22.9 – Allowed: 10.1 – Differential: +12.8
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Mount Baker 28, Blaine 7.
Week 2: Blaine 41, Sultan 7.
Week 3: Blaine 31, Nooksack Valley 0.
Week 4: Blaine 28, Lakewood 14.
Week 5: Blaine 21, Meridian 14.
Week 6: Blaine 35, Granite Falls 12.
Week 7: Blaine 40, John Barsby (BC) 6.
Week 8: Blaine 16, Lynden Christian 6.
Week 9: Blaine 3, King’s 0.
State Playoffs, Round 1: Rochester 14, Blaine 7.
The ’98 Borderites went back to the ground game that led them to the WCL Championship in 1995. With the graduation of quarterback Caleb Luehmann and wide receiver Greg Wright, they were almost forced to.
Senior Jesse Newell switched from receiver to quarterback and completed 54-of-121 passes for 625 yards and four touchdowns to only two interceptions. He also ran for 21 yards and a score, and was named All-League 2nd Team. He was joined in the backfield by junior Brad Scheib and senior Tyler Fitzgerald. Scheib had a breakout season, as he rushed for 1171 yards on 147 carries (8.0 average) and 10 touchdowns on his way to being named All-League 1st Team. Fitzgerald gained 607 yards on the ground on 116 carries (5.2) for nine scores, and was named All-League Honorable Mention. Super sophomore Josh McDonald chipped in 247 yards on the ground on 56 carries (4.4) and two touchdowns.
With Newell switching to quarterback, and Wright graduating, Blaine was left with senior tight end Tony Nymeyer as the only returning receiver with valuable varsity experience. He caught 17 passes for 181 yards (10.7), three touchdowns and was named All-League 2nd Team. Junior Austin Broyan led the team in receiving with 18 receptions for 233 yards (12.9) and was named All-League 1st Team. McDonald’s athleticism allowed him to play both running back and wide receiver, and he had eight catches for 122 yards (15.3) and a score. Scheib also hauled in eight passes from his running back position for 36 yards (4.5).
The offensive line wasn’t only greatly skilled, but also possessed great size. Junior Brad Beard led the battle up front and was named All-League 1st Team. At 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, junior Jesse Riddle was hard to miss, and was named All-League 2nd Team. Seniors Casey Walser (6-5 250) and Lane Renskers (6-3 190) each stood out on the line, and were both named All-League Honorable Mention. The Borderites averaged 5.7 yards per carry and scored 22 rushing touchdowns.
Each level of the defense had a junior that was named All-League 1st Team. Riddle on the defensive line, Scheib at linebacker and Broyan at defensive back. Walser was named All-League 2nd Team at defensive line as was Newell at defensive back. Rounding out the award winning defensive players were Beard at defensive line, Nymeyer at defensive back and sophomore Jon Allen at linebacker, each of whom were named All-League Honorable Mention.
Newell was a one-man wrecking crew in the kicking game as he was named All-League 2nd Team at punter as well as All-League Honorable Mention at kicker (13 extra points) and kick-returner (1 punt returned for a touchdown). Senior Patrick Hooper took over the kicking duties halfway through the season and he booted seven extra points and two field goals.