Sports
Seahawks Football ready for normal, and fun, season
After a strange past season, to say the least, the Peninsula Seahawks football team is looking ahead to yet another successful campaign, one where the emphasis will be on having fun.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last season did not get under way until mid-February 2021. The Seahawks finished 5-1, their fifth straight winning season.
The Peninsula Seahawks football team practices for its season-opening game Sept. 3 against Bellevue. Kevin Doucette / Gig Harbor Now
Ross Filkins, who is entering his 26th year as Peninsula’s head coach, said the bizarre circumstances taught this team a lot, and he knows this season, with COVID still prevalent, will also be far from normal.
“Our expectations are somewhat tenuous. We can’t just pretend like everything is normal,” Filkins said. “We are really proud of our players and coaches with what they have been doing to protect this team and following the guidance.”
“This year we really want to emphasize making the most of every moment. I think that is what we learned most from that 2020 school year, is how important every moment is out here.”
The Seahawks finished last year ranked eighth in the state among 3A schools, according to Maxpreps.com. They’ll begin this season as the sixth-ranked team, but graduated four all-state players. Landon Sims, Sean Skladany, Camron Watkins and Chase Coalson are now all playing at the college level, and will be missed, but Filkins expects guys filling their big shoes to have strong seasons. Many key players return.
Senior quarterback Jake Bise, a proven winner, commands the Seahawk offense. The all-around athlete has a strong arm and will likely be playing football beyond high school. Tight end/defensive lineman Caleb Novak is another senior looking to make a big impact. Six-foot-7, 300-pound senior lineman Hall Schmidt, who has already committed to Boise State University, will be a force on both sides of the ball. Josh Hinkle is another senior leader who is expected to get a lot of carries at running back.
The Seahawks begin pursuit of their six straight winning season Sept. 3 against Bellevue. Kevin Doucette / Gig Harbor Now
The Seahawks open the season at home Sept. 3 against 3A powerhouse Bellevue in a 7 p.m. non-league game. The Wolverines are ranked fourth in the state after finishing with a 3-1 record in last spring’s shortened season.
While Filkins said it was hard to gauge teams because last season was condensed, teams played in different leagues, and some didn’t get much time to prepare, he knows the Wolverines are still a powerhouse.
“It sounds like they have a very strong team,” he said. “They are always in the hunt. They are big, they are fast and they are very well coached. We better know what we are doing come Friday night.”
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, uncertainty of what is going to happen with this season is what Filkins said will be the team’s biggest obstacle.
“We have got to keep going, and not allow COVID to give us any setbacks,” he said.
Filkins added that because so much more is known about COVID this season than last, coaches have more control over protecting the team, and hopefully will have more fun and a more normal season that last year.