RECORD: 9-1 – COACH: Rollie DeKoster
LEAGUE: 9-1 (T-1st Place in the WCL)
CLASSIFICATION: “A” – Playoffs: Lost Play-In Game
POINTS PER GAME: 21.8 – POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 5.2
POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +16.6
GAME BY GAME:
Week 1: Lynden 24, Lynden Christian 0
Week 2: Lynden 21, Blaine 0
Week 3: Nooksack Valley 12, Lynden 3
Week 4: Lynden 13, Mount Baker 12
Week 5: Lynden 49, Meridian 0
Week 6: Lynden 14, Lynden Christian 6
Week 7: Lynden 28, Blaine 7
Week 8: Lynden 15, Nooksack Valley 12
Week 9: Lynden 19, Mount Baker 3
Week 10: Lynden 32, Meridian 0
Mini Play-In Game: Nooksack Valley 12, Lynden 0
The 1975 version of the Lions was your typical Lynden squad. Big, tall, talented and a loaded senior class. They also only allowed three teams to reach double-digits in scoring, but couldn’t get past Nooksack Valley in a mini-playoff game.
The old saying goes, “When you have two quarterbacks, you don’t really have one.” But, it worked for Lynden, with seniors Dean Vander Yacht and Scott Rutgers sharing the duties behind center. Vander Yacht was named All-League 2nd Team, completing 24 passes for 403 yards and five touchdowns. Rutgers put up similar numbers, completing 21 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior Rick Ellis and junior Rick Honcoop split carries in the backfield. Ellis ran for 559 yards (4.5 average) and six touchdowns, while Honcoop totaled 533 yards on the ground (4.4) and seven touchdowns. Ellis was named All-League 1st Team, and Honcoop garnered second team honors. Senior Don Roe contributed on the ground with 103 yards (3.3) and a pair of scores.
Senior tight end Monte Maberry caught 11 passes for 124 yards (11.3) and a touchdown, and he was named All-League 1st Team. He was also involved on end-around trick pass plays, completing three long passes for touchdowns. Roe was a big-play receiver, catching 12 passes for 271 yards (22.6) and two touchdowns. Junior Dennis Hill caught a team-high 13 passes for 201 yards (15.5) and two touchdowns. Ellis hauled in a team-high three touchdown receptions.
6-foot-2 165-pound senior Bob Bonsen led the offensive line from his center position, and was named All-League 1st Team. He was joined up front by seniors Tim Vonk, Doug Helgath, Gregg Nelson and junior Wade Bailey.
Vonk was the unquestioned leader of the defense, and put fear into many opponents. The 5-foot-11 205-pound nose tackle was named All-State at defensive line, and was also named the Whatcom County League Defensive Player of the Year. Rutgers was the main man in the middle, at linebacker, and was named All-League 1st Team. Rutgers and Vonk shared Lynden’s coveted “High Tackle Award”. Rutgers also booted five extra points, and was named All-League 1st Team as a kicker.