LYNDEN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS INFORMATION

 September 11th, 2009                                      Advisor: Mr. Blake Van Dalen

 Co-Editors: Ryan Seto and Lucas Jacob

 Lions Look to Prove Themselves Against Talented Storm Squad

 This Friday night the Lions will take on the Squalicum Storm (1-0 overall) at home and look to avoid going 0-2 for the first time since the 2003 season. The Storm, on the other hand, will look to move to 2-0 after coming off a 17-7 win against the Meridian Trojans. The Lions fell 34-20 to a very talented Archbishop Murphy Wildcats team last week at Qwest Field. Playing there first game at home Lynden will try and bounce back from this loss and prove the Lions are still one of the best in the 2A state classification. 

 Game Capsule:  The Lynden vs. Storm match-up has be heralded by the Bellingham Herald as the game of the week in the Northwest Conference for the third consecutive year. Last season, the Lions turned that prediction upside down as they came out with a 32-6 win at Civic Stadium. Friday’s contest, however, could prove to be more tightly matched as Squalicum returns many and features one of the best running games in the conference.

 What’s At Stake: Both teams will be looking to avoid a loss in the first game of the Northwest Conference Play and to do this a classic clash of pass vs. run will be presented. The Lions will look to use there potent passing game to gain an advantage, were as the Storm will look to use there tough running game to overcome the Lions. The Lynden program is accustomed to starting the season off with a win, and if they fall it could prove difficult for them to pick themselves back up for the tough schedule that lies ahead. Squalicum, in comparison, has beat Lynden only once in their short history and they also took two tough losses to Lynden last season, and a win for them could really boost their moral and their spot in the standings.

 What to expect: Offensively, the Lions will look to regain that dominance in the air and on the ground that they have always been accustomed to. Last week, Lynden could not seem to get this rhythm started till late in the game but with a week of practice it shouldn’t take long for the Lions to get going. Defensively, Lynden will try to use their speed as an advantage to avoid blockers and make big plays. The Lions will likely be overmatched on the Line but will look to take a team approach to stopping their run game with 11 guys flying to the ball on every down.

 Notes: Sr. LB Collin Burke has been diagnosed with three torn ligaments in his knee and will miss the rest of the season. Also out for the game will be Tyler Lingbloom who suffered a concussion last week against Archbishop Murphy Wildcats. He will likely be back when the Lions play Ferndale.