Lynden Lions Win 3rd Straight 2A State Title; Fifth Title in Six Seasons

Lynden Lions Win 3rd Straight 2A State Title; Fifth Title in Six Seasons
By Colin Caruso

You know you have a battle on your hands when you have the two time defending champion Lynden Lions playing last year’s runner up and 2010 champion, the Tumwater Thunderbirds. Both teams began the game undefeated and brought monstrous fan sections for support.

Lynden jumped all over the Thunderbirds early, as the Lions forced an early fumble, recovered by Blake Browning and returned for a 40 yard touchdown. The Lions also capitalized on a short punt on Tumwater’s next possession and two plays later scored on a 57 yard touchdown pass to Scooter Hastings to take a 14-0 lead.

Tumwater needed a response, and junior running back Trevor Davis answered with a beautiful cutback run for a 47 yard score to close the Lynden lead to 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The Davis touchdown didn’t slow the Lions one bit, they responded with an 11 play, 83 yard drive capped off by a Sterling Somers 1 yard run. Both teams would add another score before the half, and Lynden had a strong 28-13 lead going into the locker room.

After a punt from each team to start the second half, Lynden put together a five play 67 yard drive, finished off by another Jaremy Martin rushing TD. The Lions took a commanding 35-13 lead with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Following Martin’s touchdown, the Thunderbirds were able to put together a quality drive of their own to give some life to their team. The drive was capped off by a quarterback keeper that was fumbled but recovered by tight end Nick Foerstel for a one yard score. With a successful two point try, the lead was again just 14 for the Lions, 35-21.

After a snap that quarterback Lions quarterback Sterling Somers was not prepared for, the Thunderbirds jumped on the loose ball and took possession on their own 48 yard line, down 14 with under nine minutes to play. They turned that possession into a five minute scoring drive, to cut the Lion lead to just seven with 4:26 on the clock.

Tumwater lined up for the onside kick and they just missed recovering, and the Lions received possession and drove down for a game clinching Alex Otano-Guenther 30 yard field goal. Congratulations to the Lynden Lions for winning three straight 2A state finals!

Top Performers:
Lynden
Sterling Somers – 16/21 263 yards and 1TD, 10 carries for 31 yards and 1TD
Jaremy Martin – 12 carries for 90 yards and 2TD

Tumwater
Jayden Croft – 11 carries for 24 yards and 2TD