Coupeville Sports

CHS football coach Tony Maggio: “Week 1? We’re playing them Week 1?!?!”

Lathom Kelley: “Relax, Papa Wolf … we got this.” (John Fisken photo)

Rivalry week comes early next season.

When the 2014-2015 school year starts in September, Coupeville High School is leaving the 1A/2A Cascade Conference and moving to a new 1A-only division in the Olympic League. As the smallest 1A school in the state, CHS is looking for a more level playing field.

One thing the Wolves won’t leave behind, however, is their natural rivalry with South Whidbey. The two Island schools will continue to face off, just in non-conference games.

And that back-and-forth battle is probably biggest on the gridiron, where the Wolves and Falcons battle for possession of The Bucket.

Two years ago, Coupeville went to Langley and, led by seniors Caleb Valko and Danny Savalza, brought the trophy home.

Last year, with All-State lineman Nick Streubel out with injury, the Wolves fell at home in what may have been the foggiest game ever played on Whidbey.

Coupeville’s effort to reclaim the hardware will get an early start in 2014, as Wolf Athletic Director Lori Stolee has confirmed the two schools have penciled in each other for week one of the football season.

“South Whidbey is locked in,” Stolee said. “We don’t have the schedule made yet, but my unofficial schedule has them locked in!”

Nestled away in his top-secret mad genius lair, Wolf coach Tony Maggio has already started plotting out new, mind-boggling plays.

The countdown to smack-down has begun.