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Archive for the ‘Football’ Category

Sellgren family still rules athletic world

Posted in Football, tagged , , , , , on March 13, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Donavan Sellgren hangs out with his sister. (Misty Sellgren photo)

Wolf Nation is everywhere.

While Donavan Sellgren never attended Coupeville High School, he is a vital part of one of our town’s most-successful athletic families.

Mom Misty was a three-sport star at CHS (volleyball, basketball, softball), one of the best during my run as Sports Editor at the Whidbey News-Times.

Uncle Nick also shone brightly during his time as a Wolf, and actually still holds the school career record for sacks.

And then there’s grandpa Vinny, who gave Ron Bagby a run for the title of the Wolf football coach with the shortest shorts.

But we’re in 2021 now, and Donavan, who graduated from Arlington High School, is the Sellgren currently front and center in the sports world.

Saturday, he made his season debut on the gridiron with Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana.

The sophomore wide receiver came up big, teaming up with quarterback Drew Korf on a 95-yard touchdown pass, but the Battlin’ Bears were nipped 14-12 by six-time NAIA national champ Carroll College.

It’s the first of four games for Donavan and Co. during this pandemic-shortened spring football season.

When he’s not hauling in touchdown passes, Dawn and Vinny Sellgren’s grandson is majoring in Health and Human Performance: Exercise Science.

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Wolf football enters a Golden age

Posted in Football, tagged , , , , on March 13, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Cade Golden

A flashback to middle school days in Coupeville. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

One came back.

Back in 2016, Coupeville Middle School football coach Bob Martin had a roster full of talented players.

Then life stepped in, with at least six of those guys departing.

Two chose to attend high school in Oak Harbor, while four left Whidbey Island after family moves.

But now, in a pleasant plot twist, Cade Golden — the big-armed quarterback from that group — is returning to finish his prep career where it began.

After playing three seasons in Alabama, the last two for a school which won back-to-back 7A state titles, he will suit up as a senior for Coupeville High School when the pandemic-shortened season begins March 29.

The move back to The Rock reunites Golden with former CMS teammates such as Ben Smith, Sage Downes, and Dakota Eck.

“I’m extremely excited!!,” Golden said. “I can’t wait to see everyone and get to work.”

After his family returned to its Alabama roots, moving to be closer to relatives, the QB played at several schools, finishing his run there at Thompson High School in Alabaster.

Golden was the backup to Thompson QB Conner Harrell, who threw for 3,400+ yards and 40 touchdowns this season, against just three interceptions.

While he didn’t start for the state champs, Golden’s work ethic and talent (plus a 4.0 GPA) has attracted a fair amount of college heat.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, he has offers from schools such as LaGrange College, Clarke University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Norwich University, Birmingham-Southern, and Sewanee: University of the South.

He also has Preferred Walk-On offers from at least two NCAA D-1 schools, Florida State and Tennessee.

While Golden is excited for the return to Coupeville, the feeling is equaled by his former (and future) teammates.

“With how minimal this season is, it’s great to have him back there,” Ben Smith said. “Especially with how crucial this season goal is, and his work ethic for goals like that is what we need on this team right now.

“I’m happy to have him back and he’s gonna do great things here once again.”

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A final bow for the ‘Cats

Posted in Football, tagged , , , , , on March 11, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Matthew Kelley, who once upon a time ruled the Coupeville sports world, enjoys his Senior Night in Oak Harbor. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Jake Mitten, another Wolf turned ‘Cat, celebrates with his parents, grandma Carmen McFadyen, and lil’ sis Ava. Grandpa Jack would be proud.

We’re off to Oak Town.

Yes, yes, this blog is called Coupeville Sports, but Thursday was Senior Night for the Oak Harbor High School football squad, which includes two guys who grew up playing sports here in Cow Town.

So, as a tribute to Matthew Kelley and Jake Mitten, who gave me plenty to write about during their junior high days, we present an assortment of photos courtesy John Fisken.

The other six photos are a mix of Wildcat gridiron players and cheerleaders, chosen pretty much at random by me, the guy who can only ID the former Wolves.

But, pop over to the link below and you can find glossy pics for every senior who participated.

Plus, Fisken has left this gallery open, which means you can download photos for free.

So, win-win.

 

2021-03-11 FB and Cheer senior night – John’s Photos

 

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Youth football plans for possible spring season

Posted in Football, tagged , , , , on January 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Football action like this may rule the gridiron again soon. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Back to the gridiron. Maybe.

The Oak Harbor Football and Cheer League, which draws players from across Whidbey Island, plans to play a spring season.

If COVID-19 cooperates, that is, and Island County can get to Phase 2 in Governor Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan.

League President Eric Marshall announced a plan Monday in which football will play, but cheer will not.

“Unfortunately we will NOT be offering cheerleading this spring,” he said.

“Due to the short window for ordering uniforms, and the uncertainty of the season, we do not feel we can offer a quality cheer experience at this time.”

The current plan:

Jan. 18 — Registration opens, with a reduced cost of $100 per player due to “the shortened season and uncertainty of being able to play games.”

Feb. 15 — Registration closes, and league officials will determine if they have enough players to form teams. If not, full refunds will be issued.

Mar. 1 — First practice. No refunds after this point.

There will be three practices per week, at two hours each, with all practices closed to spectators.

Mar. 13 — Jamboree played.

Mar. 20 — First game — if Island County has advanced to Phase 2.

May 1 — Playoffs (semifinals).

May 8 — Super Saturday (championships)

“Our player’s safety always comes first,” Marshall said. “The league will be following ALL safe return to play guidelines and WIAA regulations, including facemasks, temperature checks, and social distancing.

“We hope you have all been staying safe and healthy during this past year,” he added. “We look forward to seeing you all again real soon.”

 

To register, pop over to:

www.ohfcl.org/home.php?layout=878060

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Ben Smith tackles college football dream

Posted in Football, tagged , , , , on December 18, 2020| 1 Comment »

Coupeville senior Ben Smith poses during a visit to Culver-Stockton College. (Photo courtesy Deb Smith)

Ben Smith is Missouri-bound after graduation.

The Coupeville High School senior signed a letter of intent Friday to play football at Culver-Stockton College in Canton.

Repping a private Christian liberal arts college founded in 1853, the Wildcats compete in the 14-team Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Culver-Stockton is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Wildcats saw most of their season cancelled this fall due to COVID-19 concerns, but plan on being back on the field by the time Smith is in town.

Culver-Stockton’s defining moment this fall came in a 34-17 home win over Evangel (Mo.) in September.

Tom Sallay enters his fifth year as head coach of the ‘Cat program in 2021.

Puttin’ in work since day one. (Photo courtesy Deb Smith)

For Ben Smith, younger brother of former Coupeville track star Jacob Smith, Culver-Stockton just jumped out among the schools he had been in contact with.

“It fits my academic levels,” he said. “And the location of it is such a wonderful, beautiful state, and is a chance for me to get out and see more of the world.”

Smith plans to study Sports Management at the school, and continues to put in work preparing for the jump to another level of football.

He won’t know his spot on the roster until workouts begin, but coaches have talked to him about playing nickelback and running back.

While at CHS, Smith has been a two-way player, layin’ down licks on both sides of the ball.

He was a running back and defensive end last fall during his junior season.

Teaming up with senior Andrew Martin to form a wham-bam rushing combo, Smith had big games in wins over Vashon Island, Kittitas, and La Conner.

Now, like the rest of the Wolves, he’s hopeful the pandemic eases enough for a final high school gridiron season this spring.

Running over folks during his junior season. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Smith is headed to a college with a long, rich history.

Originally known as Christian University, it survived several occupations during the Civil War, even after federal troops seized the joint, burning down fences and gutting buildings.

Rebuilt and refurbished, the school changed its name in 1917, in tribute to big-bucks donors Mary Culver and Robert Stockton.

Notable alumni from the school include opera singer Michèle Crider, former United States Senator Edward V. Long –who wrote the final draft of the Freedom of Information Act — and several professional athletes.

Bob Hendren and Jason Kaiser both played in the National Football League, while Harold Kottman hit the hardwood with the Boston Celtics.

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