Coupeville Sports

Gabe Eck sportin’ Team USA colors. (Cielo Eck photos)

The home of football excellence.

Ty Eck

Ty Eck’s award from the U of O camp.

Football is their ticket across the USA.

As they prepare for their eighth grade season at Coupeville Middle School, twins Gabe and Ty Eck are already familiar with their helmet and pads.

The pair took a brief break from their spring baseball season, when they played for the Oak Harbor Babe Ruth squad, to attend a three-day football camp at the University of Oregon.

Out of 350 players in grades 8-12, camp officials singled out 32 to receive awards, with Ty Eck being tabbed as the Most Outstanding 8th Grade Defensive Back.

Then, after wrapping their baseball season, the Ecks hit the road for a far longer trip, heading off to Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

While there, the duo attended the week-long USA Football’s National Team Development Games. The event, sponsored by Shock Doctor, was held at Walsh University.

Drawing in players from across the country, the event, which boasted more than 180 incoming eighth-grade and freshman players, was a 2-in-1 affair.

Players had the chance to receive coaching and skills work while also getting a chance to compete for spots on the U15 U.S. National Team, which competes against Canada in the International Bowl.

Playing and practicing in front of current NCAA coaches and USA Football scouts, the Ecks and their fellow players competed in game action and had numerous seminars.

While there, they received instruction on proper equipment fitting, concussion education, heat preparedness and hydration education and proper tackling techniques.