Isaac Vargas prepares to snatch a rebound in a game last year. (John Fisken photo)
Isaac Vargas is almost the accidental football player.
The Coupeville High School senior, who sees time at outside linebacker and right guard for the Wolves, didn’t start playing until last year.
While he had starting playing basketball a year earlier, it took a little more of a nudge to get him out on the gridiron.
“Well, I actually started last year on a whim,” Vargas said. “I never played before that and never actually thought about playing until last year.
“Though, as far back as I can remember I’ve always wanted to play,” he added. “So I guess you could say I joined by chance (and a little nudge from Coach V).”
Wolf assistant coach Dustin Van Velkinburgh was also at least partially responsible for Vargas hitting the hard-court, and Vargas remains grateful for the prodding.
“The two people that really stick out to me are my basketball coaches — Coach V and Coach (Anthony) Smith,” Vargas said. “They convinced me to play basketball my sophomore year, which really changed my whole outlook on life and helped me become a better person.”
A scrapper on the boards, Vargas plays with a single-minded intensity that is admirable.
At one point early in his hoops career, when he was still wearing his glasses while on the court, he had them knocked off of his face by a stray elbow.
Instead of stopping to put them back on, Vargas kicked them towards the bench, never breaking stride as he chased after his defensive assignment. Picking up the glasses, Coach V just nodded, a slight smile on his lips.
While Vargas would give hoops a slight edge (“I would say I’m partial to basketball; I’m not sure why though”), football has his attention fully right now.
As a new season approaches, Vargas has strong goals, both on a personal level and for his team.
“What I really want to work on more is memorizing my responsibilities for defense and offense, so that when I go in a game I know I’m prepared,” he said. “I would love to get at least one interception this year!
“I really want to make it to the playoffs and definitely believe we can,” Vargas added. “My other big goal is to beat South Whidbey this year and get our bucket back.”
Away from the field, he enjoys spending time with family and friends (“After a long day I like to come home and watch a movie with the family”), while also working out.
“I guess I enjoy accomplishing the goals I work towards, for example working in the weight room and then being able to hold my blocks on offense, simple things really,” Vargas said. “Other than that I really love working together as a team and making sure I do my part to win games.
“My strengths would probably be that I listen real well to what my coaches are saying and that I’m a hard worker.”
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