Coupeville Sports

   Wolf QB Hunter Downes works on his timing in practice, as CHS Offensive Coordinator Brad Sherman observes. (John Fisken photo)

   The temporary home stands for 2016. Maybe think about bringing a lawn chair. (Scott Losey photo)

Let the pads do the talking.

All the hype, all the side chatter, fades away Saturday night when Coupeville and South Whidbey step on the field to kick off the 2016 high school football season.

It’s opening night, it’s the ultimate Island rivalry game and it’s Cow Town vs. Hippieville, with a trophy, bragging rights and a flawless 1-0 record at stake.

Everything you need to know:

WHEN:

Sat., Sept. 3 at Mickey Clark Field in Coupeville (7 PM kickoff).

AT STAKE:

The winner takes possession of The Bucket for a year.

The trophy, which features a Wolf logo and colors on one side and a Falcon on the other, came into being in 2008 and was the brainchild of CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith, who explains its origins:

Ha ha … well, during a volleyball game at home against SW, one of our senior boys didn’t appreciate the cheering going on by the SW crowd.

So, this young man decided, erroneously and very immaturely, to take matters into his own hands.

He procured a licorice bucket, filled it with water, and proceeded to dump it on the SW crowd, who then chased him out of the gym and very nearly got into a brawl.

Said CHS student was suspended and it almost got really ugly between the two schools.

So, John Patton (former SW AD) and myself decided to turn this negative event into a positive and came up with the idea to make the football game the “Bucket Game” and whomever won that game would keep the bucket for the year.

Thus, the annual Bucket Game began.

The two schools have split the past four years, with Tony Maggio coaching Coupeville to wins in 2012 (18-13 in Langley) and 2014 (35-28 at home.)

South Whidbey scored three fourth-quarter TD’s last year to win 27-14 on its home turf in coach Michael Coe’s first game.

First-year Coupeville coach Jon Atkins makes his debut Saturday, with hopes of making his own splash.

COST:

Adults & students without ASB cards: $6
Students with ASB cards, K-5 students: $4
Seniors (62 +): $4
Family Rate (two adults & two K-5 students): $18

THE TRACK:

Thanks to a levy and a lot of hard work, CHS boasts a pristine new track oval around its football field, and Saturday presents the first opportunity for many to see it up close.

Marinate in the moment, but don’t drag your clodhoppers across the track, OK?

Operate with strip club rules: Look, but don’t touch, or else you may get to meet the bouncers.

SEATING:

The home stands were ripped out prior to the work on the track and the school is going with temporary accommodations for one year.

There will be stands, and they’re still on the same side as usual, but they won’t seat as many as before. Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets and camp out on the grass.

In 2017 new permanent stands (rumored to be covered ones) will rise up on the other side of the field, in front of the apartments, and home fans will switch sides and be closer to the parking lot.

When that happens, concessions will also be moved and new bathrooms will be available.

What is currently the home side will become the road side, but I repeat to everyone who is getting confused, THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN UNTIL 2017.

And, with that, nothing else is left to say except … let’s get ready to ruuuummmmmbbbblllleeeee!!!