When Lynden and Archbishop Murphy met during the regular season Oct. 18, both teams played to their best ability in poor weather conditions. The Lions escaped with a 7-3 win.
But in the 2A state quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 23, the Wildcats got revenge in a 10-9 win over the Lions at Ferndale High School
“We wouldn’t think it was feasible to beat Lynden,” Archbishop Murphy’s coach Joe Cronin said. “Lynden is this big monster and the stigma affected us the first game.”
Gallery: Lynden football eliminated in state quarterfinals
Lynden coach Blake VanDalen said after the game he would have expected to win if you told him before the game that the Lions would only allow 10 points. However, three interceptions, two fumbles, a turnover on downs at the 1-yard line and a failed two-point conversion was too much to overcome.
“That is who we are and that is who we will continue to be,” VanDalen said about going for the potential game-winning two-point conversion.
With about seven minutes left in the game, Archbishop Murphy fumbled the ball and Lynden’s Zay Harris recovered. Quarterback Brant Heppner found Brody Price on a 10-yard curl on a 3rd and 11. Price juked a couple of defenders and scored a 57-yard touchdown to make it 10-9.
Instead of tying the game, Heppner threw a contested pass to Isaiah Oudman that was intercepted.
“Blake is gutsy and a really good coach,” Cronin said. “He does a really good job and I love how he is in it to win it.”
Archbishop Murphy took possession and ran out the final five minutes to secure the victory.
It’s a long offseason and this team will learn that,” VanDalen said. “I am really proud of the team.”
Lynden opened the game with a 40-yard field goal from Malachi Koenen. Archbishop Murphy answered on its opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Justice Williams. Wildcats’ Jevin Madison was the leading rusher with 34 carries for 160 yards.
Heppner rushed 14 times for 69 yards. He was also 4-for-15 passing for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Archbishop Murphy’s kicker Kyler Phillips made a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter after Heppner threw his first interception to take a 10-3 lead. The fifth-seeded Lions finish the season 10-2 overall while No. 4 Archbishop Murphy will face top-seeded Tumwater in the semifinals.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
