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Randy Blindauer

Wolf Nation remembers.

While I don’t know that I ever met Randy Blindauer in person, he is linked to two of the biggest moments in Coupeville High School athletic history.

He played for three varsity basketball teams in the ’70s, scoring 166 points.

Which in a moment of kismet, puts him at exactly #166 currently on the career scoring chart made up of the 433 Wolf boys I’ve been able to document rattling the rim in a varsity contest.

Big moment #2 came on March 3, 1976, when Blindauer and his teammates beat Columbia (Burbank) 80-63 at the state basketball tourney.

That was the first state victory for any CHS team, in any sport.

Big moment #1 had already arrived on September 19, 1975, when Cow Town’s football gridiron officially became known as Mickey Clark Field.

The Wolf football team, including Blindauer, became the first athletes to play on the newly named stretch of land, facing off with Chimacum.

Blindauer died earlier this month at age 67 but remains a part of Wolf Nation forever.

 

From his family:

Randy Allen Blindauer passed away peacefully at home on June 8, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Randy was born on March 17, 1959, in Mitchell, South Dakota.

After graduating from Coupeville High School, he began a career in construction that would span nearly 50 years.

He eventually became a Civil Superintendent and took great pride in his work.

Randy often joked that he wasn’t a “nail bender.” He just “played in the dirt.”

He spent his life building strong foundations that supported homes, businesses, and communities for generations.

Randy was known for being able to fix just about anything. If something was broken, family and friends knew he was the person to call.

He was steady, dependable, and always willing to help.

More than anything, Randy loved his family.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest joy came from spending time with those he loved.

He enjoyed camping, being outdoors, cruises, and trips to Disney, which always brought out the big kid in him—his impressive Tigger collection affirms this!

Along with the enormous pride he took in his family and work, he deeply enjoyed the beautiful Whidbey Island home and property that he and his wife, Heidi, consider their oasis.

Whether he was working on the home, traveling, or spending time with his grandchildren, Randy treasured every moment.

In January 2025, Randy was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He faced his illness with strength and determination, fighting hard every day until the end.

Randy is survived by his wife of 20 years, Heidi Blindauer; his children, Holly Blindauer, Jessica Blindauer, Christy (Brooks) Rice, and Robert Hubner; and his six grandchildren, Siena Blindauer, Brooklyn Robb, Noelle Rice, Dawson Rice, William Rice, and Jeremiah Rice.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucille Blindauer; his brother, Greg Blindauer; and his son, Matthew Hubner.

The family invites friends and coworkers to a Celebration of Life service and reception with light food and drinks on Monday, June 29, 2026, beginning at 4:00 PM.

Location: Living Word Foursquare Church, 490 NW Crosby Ave in Oak Harbor, Washington.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7

Please, do not send flowers.

Donations are welcome to continue the fight against cancer through the following organizations:

 

Blood Cancer United:

https://givenow.bloodcancerunited.org/campaign/717321/donate

 

Leukemia Research Foundation:

Donate now

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Get on the field and join the action.

The Oak Harbor Football and Cheer League will host a skills camp in July for boys and girls interested in tackle or flag football.

The camp is open to children from age seven up to those entering 8th grade in the fall.

For more info, scroll back up to the photo above or pop over to https://www.ohfcl.org/.

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Kamden Ratcliff, enjoying the great outdoors. (Photos courtesy RayLynn Ratcliff)

His past is bright, his future brighter.

Kamden Ratcliff, who will be a freshman at Coupeville High School this fall, has already made his mark in a variety of sports.

On the gridiron, he was one of three Wolves who played for an Oak Harbor Football and Cheer League Seniors team which capped an undefeated season by beating Arlington in a championship bout.

Ratcliff also has been running wild on the hardwood, both with SWISH and school basketball teams.

He was the #3 scorer among Coupeville Middle School players as an 8th grader and popped for 11 points at the high school level when he and some of his teammates moved up at the end to play in the final two JV games.

Toss in baseball, golf, fishing, riding his mountain bike, hanging out with friends, and traveling with his family, and Ratcliff is a young man for all seasons.

While he enjoys all of his activities, and plans to be a three-sport athlete in high school (football, basketball, baseball), it’s hoops which gets the biggest reaction.

Playing God’s Chosen Sport.

“Basketball is my favorite,” Ratcliff said. “I like the physicality of basketball, and I love who I’m surrounded by on the court!

“It’s fast tempo and requires you to put in work to grow!”

Ratcliff is not one to shy away from the behind-the-scenes preparation, either.

“I like working hard and being around other athletes who love the game and hard work!” he said.

While he wants to earn personal success, Ratcliff also values what he can accomplish by working with his friends.

That lesson is one he has picked up from his mentors along the way.

“My parents and coaches have always supported me and have made me the person I am today,” Ratcliff said.

“I think I am a great teammate,” he said. “I play with my whole heart, and I notice the little things!”

“I want to focus on continuing to grow as an athlete and never settling. Just being the best teammate I can be and a hard-working player!

“A few runs to state wouldn’t be too bad either!”

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Liam Blas and Co. will be back in action this fall. (Parker Hammons photo)

You can write this one down in ink.

Hopefully.

The Coupeville High School football schedule is still a work in progress, as the Wolves are searching for a week #4 opponent after their planned foe, Life Christian, lost their coach, followed by an exodus of players.

But Homecoming has been etched in stone by CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith, and it’s set for Friday, Oct. 2.

Bennett Richter’s gridiron giants host Friday Harbor that night, in the first of two clashes between the Northwest 2B/1B League rivals, guaranteeing a hyped-up atmosphere.

As we sit here on June 16, here’s where the rest of the schedule is at the moment:

 

Fri-Sept. 4 — Klahowya (7:00)

Fri-Sept. 11 — @ Raymond/South Bend (6:00)

Sat-Sept. 19 — Ilwaco (6:00)

WEEK #4 in flux

Fri-Oct. 2 — Friday Harbor (6:00) — HOMECOMING

Fri-Oct. 9 — South Whidbey (7:00) — BUCKET GAME/SENIOR NIGHT

Sat-Oct. 17 — @ Medical Lake (2:00)

Fri-Oct. 23 — @ Friday Harbor (6:30)

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Bobby Carr, the bearded sage of the gridiron. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The sidelines at Mickey Clark Field will be a little less cool this fall.

An artist, a mentor, and a rock-solid dude always, Bobby Carr, who has coached football in Coupeville for nearly a decade, has resigned.

The move was confirmed this week by CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith.

A member of the 2006 Oak Harbor High School gridiron squad which won a 4A state title, Bobby Carr joined the Cow Town coaching fraternity when his dad, Marcus Carr, was hired as CHS head coach in 2018.

Carr and protege Peyton Caveness reflect on their success.

Bobby remained with the Wolves when the elder Carr departed to take the head coaching gig at Inglemoor in 2022, pairing up with former ‘Cat teammate Bennett Richter to lead the Wolves to continued success.

Under their tutelage, CHS advanced to the state playoffs, hosting Onalaska in a postseason rumble.

That was the first trip to the big dance for Wolf football in 32 years.

More recently, Carr helped guide the Wolves to a 35-6 win over South Whidbey this past fall to reclaim ownership of The Bucket.

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