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Clay Hughes

Clay Hughes

He’s still The Man.

His high school football playing days may be done (heck, he’s even graduated from college at this point and has a real job), but Clay Hughes remains a larger-than-life myth in Wolf Nation.

They whisper about him in hushed tones, nodding quietly as they talk about how he would explode through the line, scattering South Whidbey players with every carry.

You can look at the numbers and know he was good.

StatewideStats.com tells you Clay rushed for 1,131 yards as a Wolf, crossing the 100-yard barrier five times.

Three times he broke 150 yards, crushing Concrete for 164 yards, ripping Sultan for 159 and decimating King’s for 158.

Though, in the end, probably none of those performances topped his 119-yard throttling of South Whidbey in Week 6 of 2006.

Coupeville obliterated the Falcons 27-8 that night and the tears flowed from Langley for weeks.

Nice.

Whether wearing the red and black and bouncing off of would-be tacklers or operating in the world of RV sales, as he does now, Hughes has never settled for second best.

So, today, on his birthday, we hail the once and future king and remind him of one thing.

You ‘da man, Clay. You ‘da man.

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With the graduation of Jake Tumblin, Josh Bayne will carry the rushing load for CHS. (John Fisken photos)

   With the graduation of Jake Tumblin, Josh Bayne will carry the rushing load for CHS. (John Fisken photos)

Joel Walstad is the early favorite to inherit the starting QB job.

Joel Walstad is the early favorite to inherit the starting QB job.

Are you ready for some football?

If so, you’re in luck, because, even though it’s still July, this weekend will bring pigskin play back to the gridiron.

Coupeville High School has scheduled a scrimmage against 3A school Lakeside for 1 PM Saturday at Mickey Clark Field.

The informal event will officially kick off Tony Maggio’s third year at the helm of the Wolves, while giving fans a taste of what to expect when fall rolls around.

A strong Class of 2014 led by Nick Streubel and Jake Tumblin departed, but running back Josh Bayne and linemen Carson Risner and Aaron Wright return as captains for CHS.

Senior Joel Walstad is favored to be the starting quarterback, while big hittin’ juniors Lathom Kelley and Wiley Hesselgrave should anchor the defense.

Lakeside, which hails from Seattle, is coached by Casey Selfridge.

Coupeville, which is leaving the 1A/2A Cascade Conference for the 1A Olympic League this season, kicks off the regular season Friday, Sept. 5 with a home game against South Whidbey.

That game will now be a non-conference affair, but the winner will still claim The Bucket, which has resided in captivity in Langley since last year.

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Brett Arnold and a member of his fan club.

Brett Arnold and his lil’ niece hang out.

Brett Arnold is the guy who held it all together.

When Jake Tumblin ran wild on the football field as a senior for CHS, it was Arnold, his fullback, who led the way, hitting every block and helping open holes.

Ball in his hand, Arnold was a put-your-chin-down-and-blast-the-guy-in-front-of-you runner.

He gave Tumblin and Josh Bayne chance to catch their breath, while putting the defense on its heels.

As a soccer player, he was the last line of defense, the anchor to a bend-but-never-break back wall that made goalie Joel Walstad’s job easier.

Off the field, Brett overcame great personal upheaval in his family’s life and remained a leader, both at school, where he was on the executive board, and in his church, where he devoted much of his spare time.

Through it all, through good times and some extremely harrowing times, he has kept the welcoming smile on his face.

He is an ambassador for his town, his school, his church. And, never once has it seemed like he wasn’t being genuine.

What I have seen over the last several years is a young man, sometimes quiet, sometimes ebullient. A possessor of intelligence, commitment and principles, a  guy who treats others around him with compassion and friendliness.

Brett has been a warrior on and off the field, and, as he celebrates his 19th birthday today, I wish him the best.

I would say this to him — know that, in your darkest moments, you have a town behind you, there to lift you up. And that, in your moments of triumph, we all share a sliver of your joy.

You have made Coupeville better for your presence, Brett. As you go forward, you may depart this physical place, but it will always be with you.

We are you. You are we. And we are very proud of what you have been and what you will become.

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New helmets are nice, but they'll look nicer if you're hoisting them skywards while standing on the field at the Tacoma Dome.

Show up for the parent info night and your son stands a better chance of wearing a shiny new helmet. So, there’s that.

Are you a parent or guardian of a Coupeville High School football player?

Than it’s awfully convenient you’re reading this…

Anyway, if you are, your presence is cordially requested in the school’s health room (inside the CHS gym) at 6 PM Monday, July 14.

Wolf football coach Tony Maggio and his staff will be on hand to discuss next year’s schedule and other pertinent info. Paperwork for players to be eligible to participate will be handed out.

Coupeville, which is leaving the 1A/2A Cascade Conference and moving into the 1A Olympic League, where it will face Port Townsend, Klahowya and Chimacum, will resume practice July 14-19 from 4-6 each night.

Opportunity abounds for the Wolves. Don’t miss out on being part of the ride.

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James Vidoni (right) was a big hitter for CMS last season.

James Vidoni (right) was a big hitter for CMS last season.

He also played basketball for CMS, where he fought hard on the boards for the Wolves.

He also played basketball, where he fought hard on the boards for the Wolves.

Football is a game of hits, the bigger the better.

So it’s a good thing James Vidoni not only is not afraid of laying down some pain, but actually looks forward to doing so.

“I like hitting, because you get to knock them on their butts,” he said. “I’m stronger on my hitting. I would love to get better, I always have room for improvement.”

Coming off a strong season at the middle school level, Vidoni will join the Coupeville High School squad as a freshman in the fall.

Already a veteran of the game, having started in youth football back in the fourth grade, he’s hoping to make an immediate impact.

He’s played the line, working as a tackle on offense and a nose tackle on defense, but is interested in learning the tight end position to open up his game.

Wherever he lands, he plans on dropping some hits.

“My goals for the season are to get stronger,” Vidoni said. “I also want to sack the quarterback at least once a game and have a good relationship with my teammates.”

A three-sport athlete (he plays post and guard in basketball and is an outfielder/pitcher in baseball), Vidoni draws inspiration and knowledge from his family.

Older sister Monica plays volleyball, basketball and softball for CHS, while dad John is a long-time local ref in several sports.

He also reveres the older players in the Wolf football program as role models.

“I look up to Jake Tumblin and Nick Streubel, because they are awesome and they are really good at sports and have always been nice to me,” Vidoni said.

“Whenever I don’t understand something, the team is always there to help me,” he added. “Aaron Wright and Oscar Liquidano are really kind and are very helpful to me. I wanna be like Carson (Risner), because he’s a beast at football and very strong.”

Away from the gridiron, Vidoni has a wide range of interests, from movies like “The Transformers” series and “Forrest Gump” to playing his XBox and using his chainsaw to cut up logs in the woods while doing yard work.

A big music fan — he bounces from Eminem to Macklemore to the Red Hot Chili Peppers — he has a new favorite thanks to his sister.

Monica introduced me into Family Force 5 and I love them,” Vidoni said. “My favorite songs from them are “Phenomenon,” “Zombie,” “Chainsaw,” “Kountry Gentleman,” “BZRK” and Cray Button.

“The list can go on; I love them as much as she does. Not kidding.”

He also enjoys his science and PE classes and hanging out with his friends.

“I have to spend the time with my homies, AKA Hunter Downes, Jake Hoagland, Kyle Rockwell, Ben Olsen, Kyla Briscoe, Hunter Smith, Mia Littlejohn, Lauren Rose and Kayla Rose.

“Pretty much my whole class. They’re awesome!!,” he added. “I also love to spend time with my family. They’re the best!”

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