Whatcom County’s biggest annual rivalry had a slight different feel this year, at least in terns of the game implications. With Ferndale’s recent move to the 3A league, Friday night’s showdown takes the form of an early season non league affair. The annual rivalry game between Ferndale and Lynden is legendary at both schools with many events leading up to the big game where the teams battle for the trophy and bragging rights that will last a lifetime. For the second straight year, the Great American Rivalry Series was on hand to feature the contest as one of the country’s premier rivalries.

MVP

Ben Broselle

Lynden

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Landon Debruin

Lynden

Landon is a 4 year letterman on the varsity football team, and a 1 year letterman his sophomore year in basketball. Landon was also selected MVP in basketball both his freshman & sophomore year. Landon is currently involved with the publication of the Lynden High School football book. He plans to attend Boise State in the fall and pursue a degree in business.

Ben Brosselle

Ferndale

Ben is a 4-year letterman in varsity football and a 3-year participant in wrestling and track. In 2015, Ben place 1st in the 182lb weight class at 3A State Wrestling and place 2nd in Javelin at State. Ben has played rugby for 3 years and been a high school All-American for all 3 years. Has been on the National vs. International competition 3 times and part of the ERIA National Ruby Team. Along with multiple athletic accomplishments, Ben has also achieved a 3.90 GPA. Ben also finds time to support others in the community by coaching our youth programs and providing grounds and maintenance upkeep for the Nunnery on Shaw Island year found. In addition to Hunter’s success on the gridiron, he was also a state champion in the 400 meters in the AA Division in the spring of 2016.

HALL OF FAME

Scott Noteboom

Lynden

Although Scott never played against Ferndale while in high school , has had the opportunity to experience this rivalry from a coaching prospective. As a running back and safety for Lynden in 1991-1992, Scott rushed for 2681 yards and 23 TDs, and was selected to the all-WCL first team both years, as well as being picked as the WCL offensive player of the year as a senior. After walking on at WSU in 1993, Noteboom transferred to WWU in 1996, played in a national championship game, and finished his college career with 2273 all-purpose yards and was an all-CFA selection at running back and as a kick returner. After a tour in the military, he earned a teaching degree and began coaching at Lynden in 2008, switching from middle school to varsity in 2010.

Paula LaRose

Ferndale

Paula LaRose, along with her husband Jim, have been a part of the Ferndale School District and Community for generations. Paula has supported Ferndale Football as our scorekeeper for 45 years and never missed a game. It all started when her husband, Jim LaRose, who has recently passed away, was working as the Athletic Director at Ferndale High School and needed someone to run the scoreboard and asked Paula if she would be willing to fill in and help out. That was the beginning of Paula’s long time commitment to Ferndale Golden Eagle football.

GAME SUMMARY

Ferndale took an early 13-0 lead as Lynden’s defense struggled against the Golden Eagles’ running game. Lynden closed the gap after scoring seven points at the end of the half making it a 13-7 Ferndale lead going into halftime. In the second half, Lynden Lions were able to tie to game up at 13-13 and continue what was a back and four second half of football. Ferndale would later respond with a rushing touchdown by running back Ben Brosselle, but it didn’t take long for the Lynden Lions to bounce back and take a 20-19 lead with three minutes left in the fourth quarter. With less than a minute to go in the game, the Golden Eagles’ leaned on their Most Valuable Player and Scholar Athlete of the game to win the game 27-20.