Gridiron Classic: 2A scouting reports

Lynden

Coach: Curt Kramme, 18th year, 167-50.

Season snapshot: 12-1 overall, 8-0 1A/2A/3A Northwest League. Lions avenged a season-opening loss to Archbishop Murphy with a 38-14 upset in the semifinals. Seeking first back-to-back state titles in school history.

Scouting report

The Lions, with 15 returning starters, can spread teams out or punish them in the trenches. They've outscored opponents 419-112 with a lights-out defense that has posted five shutouts.

Three to watch

• QB/DB Jordan Hastings (6-2, 200, Sr.) had three TD passes and a rushing TD in the semifinals.

• WR/DE Ryan Seto (6-5, 230, Sr.) scored Lynden's first two TDs Saturday.

• WR/DB Blair Bomber (5-10, 165, Sr.) is a Washington State recruit with speed and 11 TDs.

Quick kick

"I wasn't happy with our performance in the first half [of the semifinals]. A lot of winning is just about effort, and the willingness to play hard. We got it together in the second half." — Kramme

West Valley

Coach: Craig Whitney, sixth year, 33-31.

Season snapshot: 13-0 overall, 7-0 2A Great Northern League. First state-championship appearance since 1984. Only other appearance was in 1976, when the Eagles won the 3A crown.

Scouting report

The balanced Eagles run a spread offense with several backs and receivers getting comparable touches. Opponents have failed to score in double digits on eight occasions against a defense featuring three players with at least 100 tackles.

Three to watch

• QB/DB Drew Clausen (5-11, 175, Sr.) has more than 3,000 total yards and more than 30 combined TDs.

• RB/LB Dylan Ellsworth (5-11, 200, So.) is one of two Eagles approaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark.

• RB/DB Krys Smith (5-8, 205, Jr.) topped Ellsworth by a yard with 97 yards in the semifinal win over Ellensburg.

Quick kick

"We're just excited about the opportunity to go up to Tacoma and play for a state championship. But this is a huge task for us, going up against a school with this type of tradition." — Whitney

Darren Fessenden