Jake Tumblin, Coupeville’s leading rusher, left the game in the third quarter Friday with a concussion. (John Fisken photo)
Players come and players go.
The Coupeville High School football team got back its most fearsome lineman Friday, then promptly lost its most explosive offensive weapon, and his primary backup, during a 28-0 loss to the #9 ranked 1A team in the state.
Senior Nick Streubel returned after missing Homecoming with a tweaked ankle and was able to play the entire game at King’s on defense and the second half on offense, but Jake Tumblin was sent to the ER with a concussion in the third quarter and will miss the regular season finale against Sultan.
While he will have to sit out Senior Night Nov. 1, there is a good chance Tumblin would be available the following week when Coupeville (3-4) would get a crossover game against an opponent yet to be determined.
That game would pit the Wolves against another team that failed to make the playoffs.
Tumblin’s running mate, sophomore Lathom Kelley (shoulder or collarbone) and senior lineman Joey Edwards (helmet to the back) were also injured, while junior center Carson Risner was able to make his first appearance in weeks after coming back from an MCL injury.
When they were able to keep their players upright, the Wolves matched up surprisingly well with a team that has legitimate state title hopes.
Spurred on by the return of Streubel, AKA The Big Hurt, who it badly missed a week ago against South Whidbey, Coupeville held the host Knights to far less than their season average.
With Tumblin going down, the Wolves just couldn’t answer King’s back with much offensive pop of their own.
“We played them tough on defense,” said CHS coach Tony Maggio. “Fun game, just couldn’t get the offense rolling.”
King’s used the Wilkins brothers to put the game on ice. Koa Wilkins threw for two short touchdowns (nine and 15 yards) while rushing for a third on a seven-yard scamper, while Laka Wilkins opened the scoring with a 19-yard bolt to the end zone.
Coupeville Sports 