Coupeville Sports

Brock Illston and his teammates honor his father. (Pat Kelley photo)

Live over Afghanistan.

Sage Downes prepares to kick some fanny. (Pat Kelley photos)

“You da man, Sage!!”

Sub plots. Sub plots everywhere.

In a game that matched a coach against his former players, while his current team played to honor one of their player’s dads, whose squadron is deployed over the skies of Afghanistan, the Anacortes Sea Hawks Midget football squad romped to a big win Saturday.

Sparked by their three Coupeville Elementary School stars (Matthew Kelley, Sage Downes and Jake Mitten), Anacortes beat South Whidbey 41-13 to improve to 5-2 on the season.

South Whidbey, where current Anacortes coach Pat Kelley formerly coached, has five CES players on its roster. Trystan Ford, Ben Smith, Dominic Coffman, Isiah Bittner and Evan Johnson all suit up for Langley.

The victory over his former players was a bittersweet one for Kelley, who said “I coached and brought all these kids into the program, so you can imagine my lack of joy this Saturday.”

His current squad was led by Coupeville’s best, as Matthew Kelley busted out a 65-yard touchdown run, while Downes found the end zone after a 35-yard sprint.

The Sea Hawks dedicated the game to Eric Illston, Executive Officer of VAQ-130, the Zappers, who are aboard the USS Harry S. Truman. His son Brock, a fullback, is the Anacortes captain.

Illston sent the following letter to his son’s team, along with one of the photos that runs above:

Subject: RE: Think Pink

Dear Anacortes Seahawks Football Warriors,

I am Commander Eric “Crash” Illston (Brock’s Dad) and I just wanted to let you know that your “THINK PINK” slogan has made it all the way around the world to the VAQ-130 Zappers, the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

This picture was taken over the skies of Afghanistan while I was aerial refueling behind an Air Force KC-135 tanker. I am in the front seat (you can barely see my white helmet) and my Weapons System Officer (call sign “Oscar”) took this picture from the back seat for you guys. This particular mission was 7.6 hours long and supported many troops on the ground.

I tell my squadron often of the “Think Pink” slogan and the great success thus far of the Anacortes Seahawks football team. My squadron mates routinely ask me on Saturday afternoons if the Seahawks won or lost…did they hold onto the ball…and did they play their hardest?

I hope you enjoy the picture. Until then, stick to your blocks, run fast, keep your heads up, and play to the whistle.

THINK PINK, and very respectfully,

Commander Eric “Crash” Illston

Executive Officer, VAQ-130 Zappers

Brock’s Dad.