Coupeville Sports

Scott Hilborn, who will be a freshman at Coupeville High School this fall, rumbles for yardage in a middle school game. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The younger brother is ready to make a big name for himself.

As he preps for his freshman year at Coupeville High School, Scott Hilborn is among the most-anticipated athletes headed towards their fall debut.

A standout football and baseball player during his middle school days, he has the same talent and drive which made older brother Matt a CHS star in the same sports over the past four years.

While his older sibling has graduated, Scott is ready to start writing his own success story.

“I really enjoy the opportunity to compete against others,” he said. “And, in addition, it helps me stay in shape.”

That, and farm work, as he gets plenty of time in the barn when at home.

Parents Steve and Wendi Hilborn own Penn Cove Farms, which makes Matt and Scott throwbacks to the olden days in Coupeville, when many top athletes toiled on local farms.

When he’s not knee-deep in the manure, the younger Hilborn enjoys math class, and proving himself on the diamond and gridiron.

He’s been at baseball longer, with his dad as his coach throughout little league play, and would give that sport the edge when it comes to picking a favorite pastime.

“Baseball is my favorite sport,” Hilborn said. “Just because I have been playing it since I was little and I just started football.”

When he steps back and takes a look at his skill-set, he sees strengths, but also wouldn’t mind a sudden growth spurt.

“I think I excel at agility and hand/eye coordination,” Hilborn said. “However, my size is really holding me back.”

But, while he might not be a tree topper heading into his freshman year, don’t sleep on him any time soon.

Having watched him play a couple of years, I’m here to tell you his speed, his tenacity, his strength (farm work, good for every Coupeville athlete!), and his intangibles make him one to watch.

If he has half the career his brother did, Scott Hilborn will walk away from high school with his fair share of praise and awards.

But, trust me, he wants more than just that.

“My main goal in high school is just to be better than my brother,” Hilborn said.

And then he went right back to work.