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Landen Downey’s three TDs propels Meridian football past Mount Baker

Downey finished with two rushing TDs, one receiving

By Nick Zeller-Singh Sports Reporter

Meridian running back Landen Downey ran in two touchdowns and caught another, and the Trojans captured their first Northwest Conference victory of the season with a 27-14 win at home over Mount Baker on Friday, Oct. 11.

“It was just another step for us in the season,” Meridian coach Patrick Ames said. “We know the league is very tough and we ended up in a couple hard-fought games in the first five weeks that got us ready for the game tonight.”

The Trojans started the game with a 50-yard pass from Jaeger Fyfe to Trey Alexander to start the game. Fyfe finished the game 10-for-18 passing for 154 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 18 yards and a touchdown on four carries.

Gallery: Meridian’s ground game holds off Mount Baker

Downey, who scored the first touchdown of the night on a 4-yard carry, finished with 111 yards and two rushing TDs on 19 carries. He also hauled in two catches for 56 yards and another touchdown.

Mount Baker’s offense struggled throughout the first half, not earning a first down until its third drive. On the other hand, Meridian marched down the field but lost a fumble on its second drive and fell 1-yard short on a fourth-down attempt on its third drive.

The Mountaineers finally began to move down the field behind running back Dylan Moa, who finished with 21 carries for 81 yards. He had nine carries during their drive downfield but was tripped short on a fourth-and-two conversion attempt. 

Mount Baker tied the game with four minutes left in the half when Brice Cooper returned a punt from midfield back to the endzone for a touchdown. But Meridian’s Downey finished the half with a 1-yard plunge to put the Trojans back up 14-7 at halftime.

Mount Baker’s Luke Smith throws the ball away as he is tackled by Meridian’s James Hedahl and pressured by Landon Rowley. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Downey’s third touchdown came in the third quarter when Fyfe threw a 52-yard screen pass on third down to make it 20-7. Although Meridian’s offense stalled in the fourth quarter, the defense held strong.


“We didn’t need any extra spice tonight,” Ames said. “The seniors realized this is their last time to be able to win the conference title.”

Meridian’s defense forced a fumble and a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter. Mount Baker’s Brady Bruland did find an open lane down the left sideline for a 7-yard catch-and-run touchdown. 

Fyfe secured the victory with a 1-yard rushing touchdown with less than three minutes remaining.

Meridian (5-1, 1-1 NWC) will travel to Nooksack Valley (5-1, 2-0 NWC) at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, while Mount Baker (4-2, 0-2 NWC) will head to Lynden Christian (3-2, 1-0 NWC) at the same time. 

Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.

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