Coupeville Sports

Jake Tumblin

Back where he belongs.

After missing most of the first two games of his senior season with an injured hamstring, Coupeville High School’s top offensive weapon, wing Jake Tumblin, returned to full-on ball-carrying duty Friday night, rambling for 125 yards on 12 carries.

For a team hampered by wide-spread injuries, it was a beautiful sight.

It wasn’t quite enough to lift the Wolves to a second win, however, as a plucky Lynden Christian defense held off their hosts and escaped with a razor-thin 13-6 non-conference victory.

The loss dropped Coupeville to 1-2 on the season, but was a marked improvement from the previous week, when it was stomped by Port Townsend.

The Wolves finish their non-league games with a trip to Nooksack Valley Friday, Sept. 27, then have a bye week before starting a four-game run against Cascade Conference foes with a game at Granite Falls.

Coupeville’s next home game is not until Oct. 18, when it hosts South Whidbey (currently 3-0) for Homecoming.

Missing starting center Carson Risner (out with a possible torn ACL) and starting quarterback Gunnar Langvold (knee), the Wolves struggled to ignite on offense in the first half.

“We had some troubles in our red zone early with snaps and turnovers, really hurt us,” said CHS coach Tony Maggio. “Jake did a nice job rushing, but we are still having the dropped ball blues, both on defense for interceptions and on offense.

“We played very hard on defense, but are having trouble figuring it out on offense.”

Coupeville finally broke through when backup QB Josh Bayne plunged in from the one-yard line on a quarterback sneak in the third quarter.

Trailing 7-0 at the time, Coupeville had a chance to tie, but missed the extra point.

The visiting Lyncs (2-1), who scored their opening touchdown on a 12-yard pass play, then capped the scoring when Jordan Jansen busted loose for a 53-yard run to the promised land.