Josh Bayne stares down the state. (John Fisken photo)
Josh Bayne only played one-way this time, but it was more than enough.
The recent Coupeville High School grad, who was an All-State player on both sides of the ball during his senior season, sparkled on defense Saturday at the 21st Earl Barden East-West All-Star Classic.
Sparked by Bayne’s hard-hitting play from the corner-back position, the West held on for a 20-14 win in the game, played at East Valley High School in Yakima.
The game brings together the best players in 1A, 2B and 1B.
Bayne, who was the 1A Olympic League MVP, was one of the state’s leading rushers in 2014.
While he didn’t get any carries Saturday, he brought the heat in much the same way that also made him one of the best defenders in his class.
He recovered a fumble, made several tackles and swatted a pass down.
With all the offense coming in the game’s first half, Bayne and his West teammates clamped down at the end of the first half to seal the win.
With their backs to the wall, they refused to break and pulled off a goal line stop heading into the break.
The score would have been more lopsided, but the West had a pick six called back because of a personal foul behind the play.
Bayne, who was also a First-Team All-League player in baseball, will now take his skills to the college level, where he plans to play football at Simon Fraser.
He’ll be one of two speedy Wolves making the trip North of the border, as former Wolf rushing sensation Jake Tumblin is also slated to join the school’s gridiron squad, known as The Clan.
Simon Fraser is scheduled to play Central Washington twice this coming season.
Former CHS lineman Nick Streubel, who blocked for both Tumblin and Bayne, is on scholarship at CWU, having red-shirted his freshman year.
Coupeville Sports 