Five senior Hyaks return for new football coach

By Scott D. Johnston

Rookie North Beach head football coach Travis Cluckey is excited about, well, just about everything.

The Phoenix, AZ, native has a new home in Ocean City, a couple of new jobs as a science teacher at North Beach Jr./Sr. High and as coach of the Hyaks, and a brand new baby boy. And he’s excited about his Hyaks’ chances to improve on last year’s 4-6 season, which followed back-to-back Pacific 2B titles the two previous campaigns.

The North Beach football season gets under way Friday night (Sept. 1) at home with a non-conference game vs. Rainier at 7 p.m.

Cluckey said his offense will use multiple variations based on the Wing-T, which North Beach has already been running. He said the players have quickly picked up on his own versions of the Wing-T, and he expects they will “actually have a good time playing the game.” Look for misdirection and an occasional shift to an I or Wishbone formation as well. The team returns five seniors from last year’s squad.

Although he declined to single out any specific players, “without linemen, you don’t have a Wing-T,” Cluckey said, adding, “I’m honestly excited for each and every one of the players… they’ve all worked really hard this summer, especially the seniors this year.” Fans will be watching for senior co-captains Ben Poplin at tight end and quarterback/running back Brenden Chaney to help make things happen.

On the defensive side, he expects to emphasize team work and speed in 4-3 and 5-2 configurations.

Looking at his first season as a head coach, Cluckey is “just really excited!” He noted that there were 18 on the team last year, and the Hyaks had 30 when practice started this time around. “We’ve got a bunch of good athletes, and we’re working together, coming together as a team.”

GAME NOTES: All home games and select road games will be broadcast on the radio live this year by KOSW 91.3 FM in Ocean Shores. … The Hyaks schedule for the rest of the year: at Life Christian Academy (Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in Lakewood); home vs. Toutle Lake (Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.); at Raymond (Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.); at Ocosta (Oct. 6, 7 p.m.); home vs. South Bend (Oct. 13, 7 p.m.); at PeEll/Willapa Valley (Oct. 20, 7 p.m.).