WECU/CDN Game of the Week: Lynden at Ferndale
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at Ferndale High School
Lynden 2023 record: 9-4 (2A state quarterfinals)
Ferndale 2023 record: 8-4 (reached 3A state first round)
Final prediction: Ferndale 20-14
Lynden and Ferndale kick off the WECU/CDN Game of the Week series and the 2024–25 season with one of the top non-conference matchups of the year. Lynden and Ferndale have split the last 10 matchups, with Ferndale winning 17-14 last year.
Lynden head coach Blake VanDalen enters his eighth season and has led the Lions to six state appearances. Last season, they fell in the state quarterfinals to North Kitsap, 34-28. The Lions have reached the title game three times since VanDalen took over, and won back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.
The Lions return most of their starters and will have 12 seniors on the roster. They enter the season as a preseason top-five 2A team in the state.
Ferndale lost 21-7 to Mount Tahoma in the first round of the 3A state playoffs last season. The Golden Eagles return a lot of young talent to pair with a senior-heavy roster. Head coach Jamie Plenkovich is entering his 21st season at the helm.
Lynden player to watch: LB/TE Isaiah Oudman, senior
Oudman, who stands at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, will be a playmaker on both sides of the ball. Oudman is described as a hard-hitting linebacker on defense and a blocking pass catcher at tight end. He will try to disrupt Ferndale’s running game while being a matchup issue for the Golden Eagles’ defense.
Ferndale player to watch: RB/DE Talan Bungard, senior
Bungard is a 6-foot, 215-pound physical running back and defensive end. He finished last season with 184 carries for 1,073 yards, seven receptions for 79 yards and 15 total touchdowns. On defense, Bungard tallied 41.5 tackles, two sacks and an interception. He will be a key factor in slowing Lynden’s run game.
Football calendar
Friday, Sept. 6
Meridian at Deer Park, 6 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at Onalaska, 7 p.m.
Port Angeles at Mount Baker, 7 p.m.
Vancouver College at Lynden Christian, 7 p.m.
Sehome at Marysville-Pilchuck, 7 p.m.
Burlington-Edison at Squalicum, 7 p.m.
Archbishop Murphy at Lakewood, 7 p.m.
Handsworth Secondary at Anacortes, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 7
Renton at Blaine, 3 p.m.
Bellingham at Chief Sealth, 2 p.m.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
