Coupeville Sports

When Caleb Valko (63) destroys your ball carrier, it’s a hair-raising experience for a rival coach. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

“First off, I just wanna say that I want this game more than any other game I have played in the last 11 years as a football player.”

Pardon Caleb Valko if he seems a bit worked up right now. The Coupeville High School senior lineman is counting down the days to Football Armageddon ’12 — an all-Island grudge match between the 1-5 Wolves and 2-4 South Whidbey (7 PM Friday, Oct. 12 in Langley) that may very well determine which of the two teams make the playoffs.
 
With two of the three 1A teams in the Cascade Conference advancing to the postseason (we think) — and undefeated King’s, which already thrashed the Falcons 49-12, seemingly being a lock for one of those slots — the winner Friday night will grab the other berth. If there is another berth.

That was up in the air Tuesday morning, as Wolf coach Tony Maggio was still trying to get a definitive answer from the league.

Whether there are two slots or just one slot available this season, things would get complicated if Coupeville lost to South Whidbey, then bounced back and shocked the world the next week, when they host King’s (Friday, Oct. 19).

That game will be a bit tricky, however, as the Knights, who feature Brigham Young University recruit Billy Green at quarterback, have outscored their opponents 281-93 this season, scoring 40+ points in every one of their six wins.

For now, the scenario is simple for the Wolves — win local supremacy first and then see how everything else shakes out.

“This is my last Island rivalry game,” Valko said. “I want that bucket!”

Adopting his alter ego of being a Jon Gruden-style analyst, Valko exclusively broke down the match-ups for coupevillesports.com. Friday, he’ll look to break down any Falcon runners who stray in his direction.

“South Whidbey is a team that spreads the ball around with a lot of passing mixed with rushing. It’s a good thing we have run-stoppers like Nick Streubel and Anthony Maggio. And, if they try throwing, they better brace themselves to get hit as soon as they touch the ball by Jake Tumblin, Bryce Fleming, Korbin Korzan, and now that he has overcome his concussion, Gunnar Langvold.”

“Defensively, player for player, we beat the snot out of them all day, 365 days a year. However, football is a team sport. We need to be better as a team. And we can’t have the silly penalties all over the place. Those absolutely kill us.”

“Offensively, I don’t think they have anybody on their d-line that can cause any major problems … maybe #73, but he is going to have to go up against our power house guards Ben Haight and Carson Risner.”

“Their best tackler, #30, middle linebacker, will most definitely need to be blocked every play because he is one of their better athletes; he’s a hustle play maker. So that’s one thing we need to work on.”

“I’m not sure if they have anybody that can cover Wade Schaef in the receiver spot, or catch Bryce, Brett Arnold, Danny Savalza or Jake at the wing spots. Also, this is going to be the first game where we have all our starters back!”