Originally published December 5, 2009 at 4:28 PM | Page modified December 5, 2009 at 10:46 PM

Prep Football | 2A: Lynden repeats as champ, beats West Valley 16-6

Stout defense and determined running by Brett Bajema led Lynden to a 16-6 win over West Valley for the Lions' second consecutive Class 2A championship.

By Joshua Mayers

Special to The Seattle Times

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Beau Keown (59) jumps into Lynden teammate Donovan Gratton's arms after the Lions wrapped up their second consecutive state championship by beating West Valley of Spokane.

2A Championship: Lynden takes title again

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TACOMA — Touchdown for touchdown. Turnover for turnover.

In the Class 2A state football championship game on Saturday, Lynden and West Valley of Spokane mirrored each other's successes and failures for three-and-a-half quarters.

"It was just back and forth, back and forth," said Lions senior Blair Bomber. "It was a heavyweight fight."

Ultimately, a stout defense and some determined running by Brett Bajema tipped the balance in Lynden's favor, as the third-ranked Lions lifted the championship trophy for a second straight year, beating the No. 5 Eagles 16-6 at the Tacoma Dome.

"They're pretty special," Lynden coach Curt Kramme said of his players. "It will be a while before a group like that comes through here again."

Leading 9-7 late in the fourth quarter, Lynden (13-1) sealed the win with a 2-yard touchdown run by Bajema, who had 118 yards on 14 carries and converted on some crucial third and fourth downs.

"Brett was the guy. When we needed something in the fourth quarter, he exploded through the line for some big plays," Kramme said.

West Valley opened the scoring in the second quarter when quarterback Drew Clausen faked a run, then lobbed an 11-yard pass to a wide-open Sam Schoesler in the end zone.

Lynden capitalized on great field position to take a 7-6 lead when quarterback Jordan Hastings capped a two-play drive with an 11-yard pass to an uncovered Bajema 50 seconds before halftime.

"That was huge, a big momentum boost for us and we built on that in the second half," said Lynden senior Ryan Seto, who had 94 receiving yards.

Bomber, a Washington State recruit, had an interception and capped his prep career with three state championships.

"It doesn't get any better," said Bomber, who played on the Lions' 2006 title-winning team as a freshman. "I'm not saying my career wouldn't have been complete, but it makes it so much sweeter. You can't top it."

West Valley (13-1) hadn't been to state since 1987.

"We just ran into a buzz saw in Lynden, but our guys battled them right down to the wire," said Eagles coach Craig Whitney. "I'm proud of my team."

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