Wolves fall to South Whibey; playoffs up next

Coupeville's football team will gladly put the past two weeks in the rear-view mirror and concentrate on the opening round of the playoffs.

By Jim Waller • October 30, 2009 11:55 am
Ian Smith (10) accepts a handoff on a counter from Jason Bagby (7) while Chase Griffin (5) blocks. Smith also caught seven passes for 92 yards
Ian Smith (10) accepts a handoff on a counter from Jason Bagby (7) while Chase Griffin (5) blocks. Smith also caught seven passes for 92 yards

By JIM WALLER

Sports Editor

Coupeville’s football team will gladly put the past two weeks in the rear-view mirror and concentrate on the opening round of the playoffs.

The Wolves were forced to forfeit a game to Cedarcrest Oct. 23 because of 15 ill players, then fell at South Whidbey 28-6 Thursday in the regular season finale.

With those lumps in the past, Coupeville can now aim at Meridian. The Trojans (5-1, 6-3) invade Coupeville next Thursday at 7 p.m. in the first step of the state playoffs.

Coupeville coach Ron Bagby called Meridian “the best 1A program in the state over the past 10 years.” This year the Trojans tied for first in the 1A division of the 3A-2A-1A Northwest Conference with Nooksack Valley.

The Trojans high-scoring offense is lead by quarterback Zack Slesk and receiver Mitchell Tripp. Slesk is second in the 14-team NW Conference in passing: 93-171 for 1,564 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Tripp is the league’s top receiver with 50 catches for 831 yards and eight TDs.

Slesk is also Meridian’s top rusher with 494 yards on 103 carries.

In the loss to South Whidbey, Bagby said the Wolves were caught off guard by the Falcons’ offensive strategy. The normally ground-oriented Falcons came out throwing in the first half and went up 14-0 at the break.

South Whidbey’s second score illustrated the scheme. Quarterback Hunter Rawls compeleted five straight passes as the Falcons went 82 yards in 58 seconds.

Rawls finished the game 16-22 for 237 yards.

In the second half, South Whidbey reverted back to its ground game to eat up yardage and the clock. Henry Mead, playing just the second half, racked up 130 yards on 16 carries.

Coupeville cut the lead to 14-6 with 5:08 in the third quarter. A Mike Bagby to Mitch Pelroy 51-yard pass set up Ian Smith’s 15-yard TD toss to Dalton Engle on a flanker reverse pass. The PAT kick was blocked.

From that point on the Falcon running game took over and wore down the Wolves. Bagby, whose team was still feeling the effects of last week’s sickness, said, “We got tired and we don’t have a lot of bodies.”