Coupeville Sports

Caleb Valko and Breeanna Messner.

The past two months have given me a different perspective on Caleb Valko.

Before this season, his senior year at Coupeville High School, I knew the Wolf lineman by name and little else. Having watched him play in person this season and read his words in his semi-weekly scouting reports/bouts of smack-talking, I have come to appreciate him in an entirely different way.

I have seen a young man lead his team, both by actions and words. A warrior on the field who hit the line like a beast and a leader off the field, who counseled his teammates and asserted his captaincy when some of the younger ones spouted off on Facebook.

When #63 leads his team onto the field in Port Townsend Saturday night to face Chimacum, it will be an emotional moment for many. As it should be.

Their record may not reflect it, but the Wolves have played as hard, or harder, than any of the teams they have faced this season. A blowout win at home over Orcas Island was nice and beating South Whidbey in a nail-biter at Langley and reclaiming The Bucket after a six-year drought will be the memory these young men take with them and still remember 30 years from now.

Valko and his teammates have played with honor this season. They have represented their home town in the way you hope that a team will. Win or lose against the Cowboys, they will have much to be proud of accomplishing.

But, you know what? Caleb himself can put it better into words than anything I might write here, so I turn it over to him and his thoughts as we approach Saturday night.

“Chimicum is gonna be my last football game as a Wolf. That’s not an easy thing to take in. It’s the last time I’m gonna step into the locker room and smell the scent of football practice. The last time I’m going to get to square off against Nick Struebel and race him to the QB, and lastly, it’s my final game with seniors Anthony (Maggio), Riley (Boyd), Kole (Kellison) and Danny (Savalza).

Some play for the jersey, the girls, or the title “football player.” But me, truth is I could care less about all that. When I step onto that field I’m honoring my parents. I’m honoring my team. I’m honoring my friends. And I’m honoring God.

I will always play for those things.

My career as a Wolf has flown by; I remember being a freshman and having to face up against giants Tim Walstad and the other linemen, not suiting for the travel list, or even playing in JV games.

Sophomore year that all changed; I took advantages given to me in the weight room and got bigger, faster, and stronger, same with junior year and here I am now. Last game as a Wolf. Ever.

People have been asking me if I’m going to cry if we win or if we lose and why, blah blah blah. Well yeah, I probably will, and I’m sure you’ll see me and Danny leanin on one another again. But so what? Playing with Danny has been one of my best and favorite experiences as a football player and it absolutely kills me to think of it as being over.

I have been and always will be proud to be a member of this family.

Coach Maggio has been amazing this season. He has been there for me and the entire team throughout the year and putting in extra work. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has spent 100+ hours watching film of us, and our foes. He is awesome.

People look at our record and first they say the coaches. Well no, it’s not the coaches. I believe that we have one of the best coaches in the state. Give him a little more time and once they have adjusted to the wing t, good luck trying to stop them.

Not really sure what’s going to happen next year with all the interim coach stuff going around … but I know one thing, if Coupeville wants to be better next year, they need to continue the early rising era of coach Maggio.

A big thanks to my coaches, my mom and dad, friends Breeanna Messner, Katie Kiel, Josh Wilsey, and all my other friends for supporting me. It’s been an honor playing for all of you.

Valko out.