Posted in Football, tagged CHS Wolves, football, jamboree, streaming, Sultan on August 26, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Logan Downes and Co. play on a computer or TV near you this weekend. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
You can see the first football action of the season without leaving Whidbey.
Coupeville High School travels to Sultan this Saturday, Aug. 28 for a jamboree, which kicks off at 11 AM.
But, if you’re not up for the drive, you can watch the Wolves in action from the comfort of your recliner.
You have two streaming options, both free:
Posted in Memories, tagged 1964, Basketball, CHS Wolves, Dale Sherman, football, Marilyn Sherman on August 26, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Dale Sherman, man of the hour. (Photos courtesy Jack Sell)
Everyone gets a win.
You get one, and you get one, and what the heck, you get a couple more for good measure.
Coupeville High School’s athletic programs were all clicking during the 1963-1964 school year, as a look through one of my landlord’s yearbooks proves.
It was a year when Wolf football, boys basketball, and baseball all posted winning records, going a combined 28-14, while the CHS boys tennis team captured league and sub-district titles.
What was the netters record, you ask?
The Leloo Cly of the day ain’t tellin’, so I ain’t sayin’, but it was a campaign which included multiple titles and ended with David Lortz and Ron Edwards playing at the state tourney, so probably pretty darn good.
Toss in what appears to be a four-man track and field squad, and a seven-woman girls tennis team which (rare for the time period) got to compete against rival schools, and things were hoppin’ back in the day.
Roger Eelkema, ready to run like the wind.
How things played out in ’63-’64:
Baseball:
The Wolves, paced by Bob Rea, the Strikeout King of Snakelum Point, went 11-5 overall, 8-4 in Northwest League play, finishing a close second to Granite Falls.
Coupeville dropped 19 runs in one win over Langley, and swept all four games against arch-rival La Conner, but it was a mid-season game at Darrington which will live forever.
That was the day Rea, then a junior, rang up 27 strikeouts across 16 innings in a 2-1 win.
Yes, those numbers are correct, and as we descend further and further into a nanny state dominated by pitch-count rules, it is the one CHS record, in any sport, which will absolutely, positively, NEVER be broken.
Boys basketball:
Denny Clark closed one of the great Wolf hardwood careers, pouring in 365 of his 869 career points to pace a squad which went 12-5, finishing third at the league tourney.
The buzz-cut one was #2 all-time in scoring when he graduated, behind just Mike Criscuola, and nearly 60 years (and the introduction of the three-point line) later, still sits at #9 on the career scoring chart.
Clark had plenty of help, with three others putting up triple-digits in the time of the two-hand set-shot.
David Lortz banked in 251, Dick Smith popped for 173, and future prairie farming legend Dale Sherman tossed in 142 during a campaign in which the Wolves won eight straight games at one point.
Boys tennis:
Coupeville beat Friday Harbor in the season finale to claim the Northwest League crown, with Lee Milheim, Bill Bainbridge, and Bruce Seiger coming up big in the match.
From there, the Wolves stormed their way through the postseason, with Ron Edwards and David Lortz keying a sub-district team title, then advancing to state, where the duo made the final eight.
Cheer:
Carolyn Hancock led a five-woman team, with Sharon Meadors, Marilyn Sherman, Sue Gable, and Christy Carter joining her in bringing the noise ‘n pep.
Football:
A team which featured my landlord, Jack Sell, and was led by coach Ray Olmstead, overcame injuries to finish 5-4, beating everyone it played except league kingpins Chimacum and Granite Falls.
The Wolves started 3-0, with a 57-7 shellacking of La Conner capping the run, before a one-point loss to Chimacum ended any dreams of a perfect season.
Coupeville bounced back to blow out La Conner again, this time triumphing 33-13, while a 39-6 thrashing of Darrington clinched the winning mark.
Six seniors — Paul Leese, Denny Keith, Gary Crandall, Dale Sherman, Denny Clark, and Ed Brown — led the way, with Crandall earning Most Inspirational honors.
Girls tennis:
Title IX was still years away, with girls sports mostly intramurals under the banner of the Girls Athletic Association.
But in ’64, the CHS girls purchased their first tennis uniforms — “white sweatshirts, bright red Bermuda’s, and white tennis shoes” — and played Friday Harbor, Tolt, and Granite Falls.
Coupeville’s top girls doubles duo.
While no record is recorded in the yearbook, the lineup is:
1st singles — Liz Edwards
2nd singles — Sue Gable
3rd singles — Sharon Meadors
1st doubles — Jan Pickard/Marilyn Sherman
2nd doubles — Betty Brown/Sue Bowers
Track and Field:
Dick Bogardus, Paul Messner, Roger Eelkema, and Lee Dennis are all shown in photos, though there is not a word about their exploits.
Still, looking at a photo of pole vaulter Messner, gridiron legend and future Santa Claus, draws a line from the past to the present.
“How you doin’?”
Decades later, one of Messner’s grandchildren, Jordan Ford, also repping Coupeville, went all the way to the state tourney and medaled in the pole vault.
It was meant to be.
Posted in Baseball, Football, Hall o' Fame, tagged baseball, CHS Wolves, football, Hall of Fame, Matt Hilborn on August 24, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Matt Hilborn pulls off a web gem. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Matt Hilborn often reminded me of Wiley Hesselgrave.
The pair crossed paths at Coupeville High School very briefly, with the former playing his freshman season of football as the latter wrapped up his senior campaign.
Other than that they weren’t on the same teams, as Hesselgrave played basketball, while Hilborn opted for baseball.
But both guys, the CHS Class of 2016 one — among the most highly-respected Wolf athletes of the modern era — and the Class of 2019 one, always struck me as being very similar in how they approached their time repping Cow Town.
They were old-school players putting in work during a new-school time frame, dudes who showed up to practice and games with lunchbox seemingly in hand, ready to work.
Neither wasted much time on social media, and neither wasted much time flexing between plays.
Hilborn, like Hesselgrave, let his actions speak louder than words, and will be fondly remembered by coaches, teammates, and fans long after moving on to post-high school pursuits.
The oldest of Scott and Wendi’s two sons, Matt was a true four-year star, making an impact on both the Wolf football and baseball programs from his debut to his Senior Night farewells.
A two-way warrior on the gridiron. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
On the gridiron, he had skills and pop.
Matt could lay a hurtin’ on rivals, flying into the scrum ready to break fools in half, and pop the football free for his squad to recover.
But he was also a huge asset on the offensive side of the ball, as a runner and receiver, or returning kicks.
Having sent an electric jolt through the assembled Wolf faithful, Matt, like Wiley before him, would pop back up, nod (ever so slightly), then move on to the next play.
He didn’t prance around and celebrate tackling a third-string runner late in a game where his team trailed by three touchdowns, like some.
Matt wasn’t big on theatrics, but he was huge on results.
That carried over to the diamond, where he landed on multiple all-league teams while putting in work on the pitching mound and patrolling the infield.
His bat had pop, his legs could generate some speed, and, above all, he was a smart, seemingly self-contained player.
Add in an arm which could rip off some nasty pitches, and the Wolves were blessed during his four-year run.
Hilborn and Mason Grove pose after the duo collided during a mad pursuit for a ball. (Chris Smith photo)
Matt stayed on an even keel, and his team benefited.
It’s possible his insides were churning the whole time, but, from the perspective of those in the stands, he always seemed composed and in control.
Make a huge pitch, deliver a crucial hit, or commit the rare error, and Matt remained in control, exactly what you want from a team leader.
During his time in a Wolf uniform, we exchanged a mere handful of words, most of them when he stopped by my duplex once to deliver food from his mom.
Which is good, since, like Wiley before him, that taciturn personality just added to his old-school legend.
Matt showed up, busted his tail, then tipped his hat and moved on with his life.
Much respect from the stands for that.
And, officially, as of today, Matt gets his rightful induction into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame.
Which should have come earlier, but I am apparently forgetful.
Recently, as I scanned the list of names nestled under the Legends tab at the top of the blog, I was surprised not to see his name.
Could I have forgotten to give Matt his just due?
Or did I write a story and merely forget to add Matt’s name on the official list between … Wiley Hesselgrave … and Dawson Houston?
Oh, anything is possible, as anyone who has seen my brain misfire over the years can attest.
Today, that changes however.
A Hall o’ Fame story, either the first or the second, and this time, I absolutely, positively have added Hilborn to the roll call.
Putting Matt right where he has always belonged.
Senior Night with the parental units. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Posted in Boys Soccer, Boys Tennis, Cross Country, Football, Girls Soccer, Volleyball, tagged Boys Tennis, CHS Wolves, cross country, fall schedules, football, Soccer, volleyball on August 16, 2021| 2 Comments »
Gwen Gustafson and Co. have full schedules this year. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
The Wolf booters jump from a six-game schedule to a 16-game one.
The schedules are back to normal.
Or, at least a lot closer than they were a year ago.
While some restrictions — like spectators needing to wear masks — are still in place, high school sports schedules have largely reverted to pre-pandemic normalcy.
After playing out of order during the 2020-2021 school year, fall sports are back to the front of the pack, with winter, then spring competitions planned to follow.
Non-conference bouts are back in vogue, which means Coupeville returns to playing next-door rival South Whidbey.
Also, both the Bucket Game and Homecoming live again for football, and almost all CHS teams will play a double-digit number of games.
Hopefully.
As everyone who has lived through the Age of Coronavirus knows, nothing is set in stone. Things can, and may, still change.
But for now, here’s where we sit, sport by sport.
PS — An * indicates a league contest.
BOYS SOCCER:
It’s a 16-game schedule, eight at home, eight on the road, with every tilt a conference showdown.
While just five of seven Northwest 2B/1B League schools play boys soccer — Coupeville, La Conner, Orcas Island, Mount Vernon Christian, and Friday Harbor — they’re joined for this one sport by four other squads.
While Concrete and Darrington avoid the pitch, Grace Academy, Providence Classical Christian, Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood, and Lopez Island take their places.
Tues-Sept. 7 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00) *
Fri-Sept. 10 — Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood — (6:00) *
Fri-Sept. 17 — Orcas Island — (4:00) *
Tues-Sept. 21 — Grace Academy — (6:00) *
Fri-Sept. 24 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:30) *
Tues-Sept. 28 — @ La Conner — (TBA) *
Fri-Oct. 1 — @ Grace Academy — (3:30) *
Tues-Oct. 5 — La Conner — (6:00) *
Thur-Oct. 7 — Mount Vernon Christian — (6:00) *
Sat-Oct. 9 — Providence Classical Christian — (1:00) *
Fri-Oct. 15 — @ Lopez Island — (TBA) *
Tues-Oct. 19 — Friday Harbor — (4:00) *
Thur-Oct. 21 — @ Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood — (4:00) *
Sat-Oct. 23 — Lopez Island — (12:30) * — SENIOR NIGHT
Tues-Oct. 26 — @ Orcas Island — (TBA) *
Thur-Oct. 28 — @ Providence Classical Christian — (TBA) *
BOYS TENNIS:
Only two NWL schools play boys tennis, which is why there was no season last year.
While Coupeville was ready and rarin’, Friday Harbor shut down all fall sports after Covid cases spiked in the San Juans.
Now, the Wolverines are back in action, and the two schools will link up, in some fashion, to play tennis against South Whidbey and its (mostly private school) rivals in the Emerald Sound League.
A schedule is still being worked out.
CROSS COUNTRY:
Coupeville, Orcas Island, and Mount Vernon Christian once again vie for NWL harrier supremacy, but this season schools also return to competing at invitationals.
The Wolves host one of three league meets, as well as the league championship races.
Sat-Sept. 11 — @ Sehome Invitational — (TBD)
Sat-Sept. 18 — @ Westling Invitational (South Whidbey) — (10:00)
Fri-Sept. 24 — HOME meet (Fort Casey) — (3:30) *
Sat-Sept. 25 — @ King’s Invite — (12:00)
Fri-Oct. 1 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (3:30) *
Fri-Oct. 8 — @ Orcas Island — (TBD) *
Sat-Oct. 9 — @ Hole in the Wall (Lakewood) — (9:00)
Thur-Oct. 21 — Northwest 2B/1B League Championships (Fort Casey) — (3:30)
FOOTBALL:
Homecoming is back, with the Eastern Washington opponent traveling 142 miles to face off with CHS, while the Bucket Game against South Whidbey goes down in Langley.
Other non-conference games, featuring Klahowya and East Jefferson, are against familiar foes from Coupeville’s time in the Olympic League.
And what is an East Jefferson, you ask?
It’s the name being used by Port Townsend and Chimacum, which combined for all sports after both schools struggled to field teams due to declining student counts.
With Friday Harbor football back in action, Coupeville plays four league games — two each against the Wolverines and La Conner, the only other 2B schools in the NWL.
Currently, there are eight games on the schedule, but the Wolves continue to look for a week six opponent.
Sat-Aug. 28 — @ Sultan Jamboree — (11:00)
Fri-Sept. 3 — Klahowya — (5:00)
Fri-Sept. 10 — @ South Whidbey — (7:00) — BUCKET GAME
Fri-Sept. 17 — @ East Jefferson — (6:00)
Fri-Sept. 24 — La Conner — (7:00) *
Fri-Oct. 1 — @ Friday Harbor — (6:00) *
Fri-Oct. 8 — ?
Fri-Oct. 15 — @ La Conner — (7:00) *
Fri-Oct. 22 — Cascade Leavenworth — (7:00) — HOMECOMING
Fri-Oct. 29 — Friday Harbor — (6:00) * — SENIOR NIGHT
GIRLS SOCCER:
Last year, Mount Vernon Christian, La Conner, and Coupeville played this sport, and now Friday Harbor rejoins the battle.
Unlike other sports, where CHS plays two league games against other schools, here it will play three.
Non-conference games against former league rivals Sultan and Granite Falls, and a home-and-away series with East Jefferson round out the schedule.
Sat-Sept. 4 — @ Oak Harbor Jamboree — (TBD)
Thur-Sept. 16 — La Conner — (6:00) *
Sat-Sept. 18 — @ East Jefferson — (1:00)
Tues-Sept. 21 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00) *
Thur-Sept. 23 — Granite Falls — (6:00)
Tues-Sept. 28 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00) *
Thur-Sept. 30 — @ La Conner — (TBA) *
Thur-Oct. 7 — Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00) *
Tues-Oct. 12 — Friday Harbor — (4:00) *
Thur-Oct. 14 — La Conner — (6:00) *
Sat-Oct. 16 — Sultan — (1:00)
Thur-Oct. 21 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00) *
Sat-Oct. 23 — East Jefferson — (11:00) — SENIOR NIGHT
Tues-Oct 26 — @ Friday Harbor (4:00) *
VOLLEYBALL:
With Friday Harbor’s return, the only fall sport where all seven NWL schools face off.
A couple of tournaments, and a home-and-away with arch-rival South Whidbey highlight a very-full schedule.
Sat-Sept. 4 — @ Oak Harbor Jamboree — (TBD)
Thur-Sept. 9 — @ Concrete — (4:30/6:00) *
Tues-Sept. 14 — Mount Vernon Christian — (4:30/6:00) *
Thur-Sept. 16 — Orcas Island — (3:30/5:00) *
Mon-Sept. 20 — Cedar Park Christian-Bothell — (4:30/6:00)
Tues-Sept. 21 — @ Darrington — (4:30/6:00) *
Thur-Sept. 23 — @ La Conner — (4:30/6:00) *
Sat-Sept. 25 — @ Sultan Tournament (Varsity) — (TBD)
Sat-Sept. 25 — @ Oak Harbor Tournament (JV) — (TBD)
Mon-Sept. 27 — South Whidbey — (4:30/6:00)
Tues-Sept. 28 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00/5:30) *
Tues-Oct. 5 — Concrete — (4:30/6:00) *
Thur-Oct. 7 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:30/6:00) *
Tues-Oct. 12 — @ Orcas Island — (TBA) *
Thur-Oct. 14 — Darrington — (4:30/6:00) *
Mon-Oct. 18 — @ South Whidbey — (5:15/7:00)
Tue-Oct. 19 — La Conner — (4:30/6:00) *
Thur-Oct. 21 — Friday Harbor — (3:30/5:00) * — SENIOR NIGHT
Sat-Oct. 23 — @ South Whidbey Tournament — (TBD)
Posted in Boys Tennis, Cross Country, Football, soccer, Volleyball, tagged CHS Wolves, cross country, football, paperwork, physicals, Soccer, tennis, volleyball on August 12, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Alita Blouin and Co. return to action later this month. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Get ahead of the paperwork curve.
Coupeville High School and Middle School athletes can get all their forms filled out and fees paid before practice begins at an athletic paperwork day Tuesday, August 17.
The event runs from 12-5 PM at the CHS office.
Attendance is not mandatory, as athletes can also obtain paperwork by emailing Lisa Yoder (lyoder@coupeville.k12.wa.us) or Barbi Ford (bford@coupeville.k12.wa.us).
Forms to be completed, with student and parent signatures, include the Athletic/Activities form, Extra-Curricular/Athletic Participant Eligibility form, and the Free/Reduced lunch form.
All athletes need a sports physical as well.
Physicals cover two years, and you can check your status on the school’s Skyward site. It’s under the Health Info button on the left.
ASB and fall athletic fees, which need to be handled prior to the first game, can be paid during this event or online through the eFunds link on Skyward.
CHS plays volleyball, boys tennis, football, co-ed cross country, and boys and girls soccer in the fall, while CMS offers cross country, volleyball, and boys soccer.
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