Murphy, Lynden meet in semis again
Published 12:01 am Friday, November 27, 2009
The Archbishop Murphy and Lynden high school football teams have been down this road before.
The opponents for Saturday morning’s 2A state semifinal playoff game are facing off for the fourth time in two seasons. They began each of the last two seasons with a non-league contest and now meet in the state semis for the second straight time. Murphy leads the series 2-1, but Lynden won the game that counted most, beating Murphy 21-13 last November 29 and going on to win the state championship a week later in double overtime.
Murphy won last year’s season opener 26-15, but had four turnovers and six crippling, first-half penalties in the semi.
“We can’t make the mistakes we made last year,” Archbishop Murphy coach Dave Ward said after Saturday’s quarterfinal win. “They’re going to be better. We’d better be better, too.”
Lynden’s only loss this season was 34-20 to Murphy on Sept. 5. Murphy’s lone loss was 20-14 to Eastside Catholic on Sept. 11.
In that Sept. 5 game, Murphy quarterback Austin VanderWel ran for two touchdowns and threw a third to running back Alex Martinez, who rushed 18 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
The veteran Lynden passing duo of QB Jordan Hastings and WR Blair Bomber didn’t get untracked until the fourth quarter. Hastings had two TD passes and Bomber two TD receptions in last year’s semi.
Here’s a look at the game:
Lynden vs. Archbishop Murphy
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Tacoma Dome
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Records: Both teams are 11-1
Last week: Jordan Hastings rushed for two TDs and the Lynden defense intercepted two passes and recovered three fumbles en route to a 31-0 win over Sequim.
RB Alex Martinez ran for 136 yards and had two 3-yard TD runs in a 14-7 win over W.F. West.
On paper: Lynden has reached the state semifinals for the fourth straight season. Archbishop Murphy is in the semis for the fourth time in six years. The Lynden defense has posted five shutouts this season and allowed just three touchdowns in the postseason. Murphy has allowed just 17 points in three playoff games, including seven last week to a prolific W.F. West squad which had averaged more than 33 points a game.
Predictions: John McDonald picks Murphy 20-14. Mike Cane picks Lynden 22-21. Tom Lafferty picks Murphy 28-27 OT.
All three prognosticators were 4-0 last week. Herald Prep Writer Mike Cane is 38-10 this season. KRKO broadcaster Tom Lafferty is 37-11. Herald Prep Editor John McDonald is 36-12.
