The unbeaten Archbishop Murphy High School football team plays Lynden in the Class 2A state semifinals 10 a.m. today at the Tacoma Dome. This is a rematch of the teams’ season-opening game, which Archbishop Murphy won 26-15 on Sept. 5. All-day tickets at the Tacoma Dome cost $9 for adults, and $7 for students and senior citizens. Here is a quick comparison of the teams.
Archbishop Murphy
Record: (12-0)
Nickname: Wildcats
Head coach: Dave Ward
Ranking: No. 2 in final Associated Press 2A poll
Season so far: In 12 games Murphy has outscored opponents 511-158, a per-game average of 43-13. In three playoff games the Wildcats have scored 140 points and allowed 20.
High-profile victories: Beat No. 6 Lynden 26-15 Sept. 5; beat No. 5 Eastside Catholic (3A) 26-23 Sept. 12; beat No. 9 Centralia 40-13 Nov. 21.
State playoff history: First semifinal appearance since 2005 and fifth trip since 2002. Won back-to-back 1A state titles in 2002 and 2003.
Offensive leaders
Rushing
C.J. Milburn: 90 carries, 738 yards, 8.2 yards per carry, eight touchdowns.
Randy Gordon: 72 carries, 655 yards, 9.1 yards per carry, five TDs.
Alex Martinez: 52 carries, 370 yards, 7.1 yards per carry, six TDs.
Passing
Austin VanderWel: 53 of 91 (58.2 percent), 959 yards, 11 TDs, one interception.
Jake Downs: 52 of 86 (60.5 percent), 882 yards, 14 TDs, three interceptions.
Receiving
J.D. Melton: 36 receptions, 694 yards, 19.3 yards per catch, 14 TDs.
Kelso Wilkins: 21 receptions, 423 yards, 20.1 yards per catch, two TDs.
Lynden
Record: (10-2)
Nickname: Lions
Head coach: Curt Kramme
Ranking: No. 6 in final Associated Press 2A poll
Season so far: In 12 games, Lynden has outscored opponents 360-145 — a per-game average of 30-12. In three playoff games, the Lions have scored 76 points and allowed 14.
Notable victories: Beat No. 7 Burlington-Edison 41-23 Oct. 31.
State playoff history: Third straight season reaching 2A semifinals. Won it all in 2006. Was 3A runnerup in 2001 and 2002.
Offensive leaders
Rushing
David Gaylord: 133 carries, 765 yards, 5.8 yards per carry, seven touchdowns.
Jordan Hastings: 148 carries, 666 yards, 4.5 yards per carry, 11 TDs.
Passing
Hastings: 143 of 253 (56.5 percent), 1,764 yards, 19 TDs, nine interceptions.
Receiving
Blair Bomber: 56 receptions, 804 yards, 14.4 yards per catch, 12 TDs.
Ryan Seto: 25 receptions, 434 yards, 17.4 yards per catch, four TDs.
Jordan Weeks: 30 receptions, 245 yards, 8.2 yards per catch, two TDs.
Note: The winner advances to the 2A championship, facing either Prosser or Burlington-Edison 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Tacoma Dome.
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
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