Mount Baker keeps playoff hopes alive with narrow win over Meridian

DEMING — Luke Smith, in his first-ever start at quarterback, found senior wide receiver Landen Hanstead in the corner of the end zone for a 9-yard, go-ahead touchdown with 4:26 left in the game and Mount Baker hung on to beat Meridian 30-27 on Friday, Oct. 20 at Mount Baker High School. Smith, a 6-foot-3 sophomore who was filling in for injured starter Toga Tigilau, finished with two crucial touchdowns to keep Mount Baker (3-5, 2-1 Northwest Conference) alive in the 1A state playoff race (1