After a few rocky years during the pandemic, the Falcons are finally soaring high.
The South Whidbey High School football team has played an undeniably hard-fought season and, until last Friday, held an undefeated record.
Following a 62-22 loss to King’s on Oct. 14, the Falcons now have a 6-1 record, which puts them in second place in the Emerald Sound Conference.
If South Whidbey wins the next two games, the team will qualify for the playoffs.
“The Falcons are a fast offensive team,” said Olaf Thorsen, a 1992 South Whidbey alum and former high school football player. His son, a junior, is on the team as the center and linebacker.
Seniors make up the majority of the team, with 12 total and seven or eight of them playing as starters.
The roster includes sophomore Cody Redford (tailback), senior Lucas Taksony (wide receiver), senior Prince Browne (tight end), senior Josh Sterba (cornerback), senior Cole Tschetter (fullback), senior Cash Hajny (guard), senior Brody Nelson (tackle), sophomore Railer Biggs (guard), junior Cole Thorsen (center), senior Ethan Kemp (tackle) and senior Elijah Dixon (wide receiver).
“Last year we had a winning season, but it wasn’t as good as this year,” Thorsen said. “With COVID and everything, the last two years have been a bummer for all sports everywhere.”
He added that the team consists of a positive group of kids that communicate well together.
“They use the word ‘ohana’ to represent their team,” he said. “And there is a lot of heart with this team.”
South Whidbey’s next game is the homecoming game at 7 p.m. this Friday against Sultan. The last game of the season is an away game against Granite Falls on Oct. 28.
Photo by John Fisken South Whidbey senior Lucas Taksony runs the ball during a game against King’s on Oct. 14.
Photo by John Fisken South Whidbey senior Cole Tschetter runs the ball during a game against King’s on Oct. 14.
