Lynden defended its 2A state football championship, stopping West Valley 16-6 Saturday morning in the Gridiron Classic at the Tacoma Dome.

Click the tab below for final statistics and highlights throughout the game.

Mike Vlahovich will post his unedited game story in about 2 hours.

Final statistics

West Valley 224 yards total offense

Passing: Clausen 10-15-1-112.

Rushing: Clausen 12-49; Ellsworth 8-44; Smith 6-8; Peterson 3-8; Ross 1-3.

Receiving: Peterson 4-61; Schoesler 2-13; Dahlstrom 2-18; C. Gregg 2-20.

Lynden 328 yards total offense

Passing: Hastings 13-27-2-152.

Rushing: Hastings 15-56; Bajema 14-118; Christianson 3-10; Bomber 3-(minus 8).

Receiving: Bomber 8-58; Seto 5-94.

Scoring summary

WV-Schoesler 11 pass from Clausen (pass failed)

L-Bajema 11 pass from Hastings (Lopez kick)

L-Safety, Smith tackled in end zone

L-Bajema 2 run (Lopez kick)

Second half highlights

Fourth quarter

Lynden quarterback Jordan Hastings took a knee at the West Valley 15-yard and time expired on the Eagles' hopes of a 2A state championship Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.

The Lions (13-1) owned the ball in the second half, limiting WV's opportunies. And even when the Eagles (13-1) had the ball, they didn't take advantage.

Click the tab below for highlights throughout the game. I'll check back with final statistics in a few minutes.

WV stopped Lynden on downs, taking over at the Lions' 20 with 2:25 remaining in the game. But the Eagles gave the ball right back when QB Drew Clausen fumbled. Lynden's Eric Conner recovered at the 24.

Lions defensive back Nolan Gudde intercepted Clausen at the Lynden 15 with 3:01 to play, and then running back Brett Bajema sprinted 57 yards before Clausen had a TD-saving tackle at the WV 28.

Lynden took off 8:02 of the fourth quarter and converted on the time-consuming drive when running back Brett Bajema plunged in from 2 yards out, giving the Lions a 16-6 lead with 3:58 remaining in the game.

Third quarter

It's been a game of squandered opportunities so far.

WV was stopped on downs, netting zero yards on back-to-back carries by Dylan Ellsworth. Lynden takes over at its 35 with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

WV's Mitch Peterson got the ball back with an interception, giving the Eagles possession at Lynden's 44 with 3:37 left in the third quarter.

Lynden fumbled on its possession following a safety and WV 's Hovik Melkonyan recovered at the Eagles' 27.

WV gave it back when Blair Bomber intercepted a Clausen pass at the Lynden 35 with 3:52 left in the third quarter.

WV defensive back Brandon Funk, who was beat on a pass earlier in the series, attoned for his mistake by intercepting Jordan Hastings at the 1.

But the Eagles promptly made a big mistake when Krys Smith was tackled in the end zone for a safety, giving Lynden a 9-6 lead with 8:09 left in the third quarter.

On the ensuing punt, Lynden takes over at its 44.

Halftime, Lynden 7-6

WV outgained Lynden 152 to 121. Clausen completed his first five, finishing 5 of 7 for 63 yards and a touchdown. Ellsworth rushed six times for 43 yards and Clausen gained 29 on seven carries.

Hastings, whose father graduated from WV, completed 6 of 12 for 61 yards and a TD. He rushed four times for 37.

Both teams missed field goal attempts, WV from 25 yards and Lynden from 38.

First half highlights

It didn't take Lynden long to take advantage of the field position. Hastings on a play-action play that flowed right, threw back left to a wide open Brett Bajema for an 11-yard TD connection. The point after put the Lions ahead 7-6 with :50 remaining.

WV scored on an 11-yard pass from Clausen to Sam Schoesler, who beat a Lynden defender into the end zone to haul in the pass. A bad snap forced a pass attempt on the conversion, which failed. WV 6-0 with 6:03 left in the second quarter.

The nine-play drive started at the WV 20. The big play on the drive was a 32-yard pass from Clausen to Mitch Peterson for a first down to Lynden's 18.

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