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LYNDEN HIGH SCHOOL
SPORTS INFORMATION DEPT.
September 4th, 2008 Advisor:
Mr. Blake Van Dalen
Co-Editors:
Adam Lewis and Ryan Seto
Lions Open 2008 with Tough Opponent
This year’s 2008 Lion football team opens their
non-conference schedule by traveling to Everett, Washington to take on
the Archbishop Murphy Wildcats. ATM is coming off of a disappointing
past year after their undefeated regular season was voided by the WIAA
after Archbishop reported that one player played without his physical
papers turned in. The decision by the WIAA spun heads around the
country as former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly wrote a
feature in the back of the magazine sympathizing with the Wildcats for
the raw hand they had been dealt. The Wildcats look to put the
disappointing ending to a good season behind them as they open against a
young, but extremely talented Lions squad.
Game Outlook: The Lynden vs. Archbishop
Murphy match-up has been heralded by the high school prep media as one
of the top games in the state. Each squad is loaded with talent and has
a first time varsity starter at the quarterback position. The Wildcats
return a total of eleven starters from a team that went undefeated. The
Lions, in comparison, return a total of nine starters that finished 3rd
in the state last season. Jr. QB Jordan Hastings will be tested
in his first varsity start against one of the upper tier defensive units
in the state. Look for the Lions to rely on Sr. (RB/LB) David
Gaylord to carry the offensive load early in the game.
One of the things that make this game unique is
that Archbishop Murphy will be playing for the first time under new head
coach Dave Ward. Ward travels south from Oak Harbor to take the reigns
of a team that can challenge for a 2A State Championship. While Lynden
can watch all of the past game film they want, Archbishop Murphy’s
offensive and defensive gameplan is simply unknown. However, the Lions
may benefit from an Archbishop Murphy squad that is adjusting to their
new system.
My final thoughts for the season opener tell me
that this will be a game that may go right down to the wire. Each team
seems pretty evenly matched while having similar athletes, and each is
known to be a powerhouse in the 2A classification. If Hastings is able
to shake off first game jitters and manage a potentially powerful Lions
offense early, one of the best Lion’s defenses in years may send the
Lions to their biggest nonconference victory in a decade.
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