Lynden Christian, Ferndale advance to playoff round after regular season wins

Ferndale, Lynden Christian, and Nooksack Valley concluded their regular season campaigns with victories in Week 9, while Lynden lost to the defending state champions. These results determine the seeding for the upcoming playoff rounds, which begin next week.

In the Lynden High School matchup, the Lions fell to Archbishop Murphy, 35-14. Archbishop Murphy spent three weeks preparing for the contest, whereas Lynden prepared without knowing its final roster due to an investigation into an ineligible player. The WIAA announced its decision on Friday, following the game. Lynden had not played in the two weeks prior to this contest, as Lakewood and Sultan opted out against the 2A champions.

Lynden trailed 21-0 at halftime but scored twice in the second half. Dawson VanDalen ran for a 62-yard touchdown, and Gordy Bedlington connected with Lawsen DeBoer for a 65-yard pass. DeBoer scored his first career touchdown as a replacement for injured wideout Sam Arango. The Lions finished the regular season with a 7-2 record and a 7-1 mark in North Whatcom Conference play. They enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the 2A round of 32.

Lynden Christian defeated Blaine, 42-28, to secure the third seed in the 1A round of 24. The Lyncs trailed 21-7 at halftime after Blaine's Saihou Kanagie returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Lynden Christian tied the game with a 9-yard run by Kellen Blankers, but Blaine took the lead again on a 67-yard interception return by Hunter Candanoza.

Justin Kuik, filling in for the injured Chris Kooiman, initiated the Lynden Christian comeback with a 4-yard touchdown run. Will Macomber intercepted a pass and returned it 41 yards to tie the game. Kuik gave the Lyncs the lead with a 10-yard run, but Blaine tied the score at 28. Jackson Yun caught an 18-yard pass from Blankers for the winning score. Kuik added a 14-yard rushing touchdown to secure the win. Lynden Christian finished with a 7-2 record and a 4-0 conference mark.

Ferndale dominated Oak Harbor, 48-13, in a 3A Wesco playoff game. The Golden Eagles rushed for 453 yards and passed for 17 yards. Senior running back Elliot Lenssen scored five times on runs of 2, 5, 3, 36, and 10 yards. Oak Harbor scored on a 90-yard rush, but Ferndale extended the lead with additional scores from Lenssen and Bobby Kelly. Lenssen finished with 268 rushing yards, and Wyatt Broyles added 152 yards.

Nooksack Valley defeated Marysville-Pilchuck, 21-7, to end its season. The Pioneers were eliminated from postseason contention prior to the game but won their final regular season match. Trey Heutink provided a 7-0 lead with a 5-yard rushing touchdown. After a 7-7 halftime score, Lucas Woodrich ran for a 3-yard touchdown and Ackerman added a 1-yard score in the fourth quarter. Nooksack Valley finished with a 6-3 record and a 1-3 conference mark.

Lynden Christian plays No. 22 Annie Wright in a winner-take-all game at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at Nooksack Valley High School. Ferndale hosts No. 20 Liberty of Renton at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at Ferndale High School. Lynden plays No. 31 Renton at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Ferndale High School.