Hard-hitting Wolf senior Peyton Caveness was selected as a team captain by his teammates. (Brenna Silveira photo)
Encore, encore.
The Coupeville High School football program is coming off of its most-successful season in three decades, but the Wolves want to keep eating.
Last fall, first-year head coach Bennett Richter led his squad to a 7-1 record in the regular season, with a 4-0 mark clinching the Northwest 2B/1B League title — Coupeville’s first gridiron conference crown since 1990.
The only thing slowing down the Wolves was a long, and ultimately pointless, late-season trip to Leavenworth, where smoke from nearby forest fires prevented Coupeville from playing against non-conference foe Cascade.
Gearing right back up, a team which tied the program’s single season record with 52 touchdowns, advanced to the state playoffs, where it hosted perennial title contender Onalaska in a loss which stayed close until the final moments.
But while the memories are mostly sweet, a new season brings with it new challenges.
“Players made it clear – win league, get back to state,” Richter said.
“They have also made smaller goals to help achieve the greater picture, as well as personal goals to help remind them what they are working for this season, and the seasons to come.”
While Coupeville lost a talented group of seniors, including league MVPs Scott Hilborn and Dominic Coffman, there is a bevy of big-timers returning.
Seniors Logan Downes (QB/DB), William Davidson (OL/DL), and Zane Oldenstadt (OL/DL) were First-Team All-Conference picks a season ago, with the first two earning that honor on both sides of the ball.
Downes, who broke the school single-game record as a junior, tossing five touchdown passes in a rout of La Conner, is on the cusp of other major CHS records.
His 17 TD passes last fall just missed tying Joel Walstad’s single season mark of 18, while pushing him to 19 scoring heaves for his career.
The school record in that category? It’s 35, set by Logan’s big bro, Hunter Downes.
Jaje Drake, the anchor to Coupeville’s line. (Brenn Sugatan photo)
Davidson, forever immortalized as “The Show Pony” for his crowd-pleasing dance moves amid the destruction, and the youngest of Angie and Ralph Downes three sons were selected as captains by their teammates.
Fellow 12th graders Jaje Drake (OL/DL) and Peyton Caveness (WR/LB) also earned the honor, rounding out the Core Four.
Other veteran starters include juniors Marcelo Gebhard (OL/LB) and Hunter Bronec (TE/LB) and senior Mikey Robinett (RB/LB).
Toss in a ton of guys who had an impact as young players, and the future is bright.
There’s junior Johnny Porter, who scored three rushing touchdowns as a sophomore, twin brother Jack, plus fast-rising sophomores Chase Anderson and Aiden O’Neill, and more.
“We bring back plenty of talented players who saw the field last season in some capacity,” Richter said. “I think many players will surprise some people.
“When a big class leaves, it creates opportunity for younger players who are hungry!” he added. “Watch out for those juniors and sophomores who have been waiting for their chance and are now ready to take the next step!
“People like Casey Masters, who has worked hard to earn respect from his teammates and coaches, and newcomers like Skylar Sand, who right away seemed to have a comfortability with the game as if he had played with us for a few years.”
With opening night fast approaching — Coupeville hosts Klahowya at 6:00 PM this Friday, Sept. 1 — the Wolves participated in a jamboree in Sultan this past weekend.
“Biggest shout out of the day went to the big fellas up front who won the 1-on-1 big man challenge,” Richter said.
“And the most important thing is we walked away from the jamboree healthy, with everyone getting experience,” he added. “Was a good last look at players before final decisions are made.”
One final ride to glory for the Class of 2024. (Michelle Glass photo)
Every clash on Coupeville’s nine-game regular season schedule is a big one, from The Bucket Game at South Whidbey to Homecoming and Senior Night, but the team’s league games against fellow 2B rivals Friday Harbor and La Conner dictate postseason plans.
The Braves cancelled their non-conference season opener against Morton-White Pass due to a lack of eligible players but are expected to be able to play the remainder of the season.
Friday Harbor, with a roster of rugged players, presents a major obstacle as well.
“When you have two opponents in your league, there is no time to overlook anyone,” Richter said. “Go 4-0, go to state. So, all four of those games are very important to us.”
Ultimately, Coupeville’s bid to win back-to-back league football titles for the first time in program history depends more on the guys in red and black, and less on the dudes on the opposite side of the field.
“They feel capable and have learned to trust in one another,” Richter said.
“If they stay hungry and don’t become complacent, this team has the right pieces to do amazing things.
“So, as coaches and players, if we can get those pieces in the right spot, we could really witness a fun football team out there.”
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