Peninsula’s Coalson commits to Central Washington as his senior season draws nearer

When Chase Coalson entered high school, he hit a growth spurt, and it hasn’t stopped four years later.

Coalson once measured as a freshman at just 5-foot-3, but the now-senior stands at over six feet tall after growing another three inches over the last year.

“He came in, and honestly, you would’ve thought he was still in sixth grade,” Peninsula Coach Ross Filkins said. “He’s such a late bloomer. Now, he’s over six feet (tall). He’s over 190 pounds and growing. … But he believed… (he’s) a hard worker with great focus. You could just see by the way that he played that his football IQ is just so strong. … He earned everyone’s respect right away.”

Primarily positioned at safety on the Seahawks defense -- including a role on the special teams unit -- Filkins says that Coalson is poised for a breakout senior season before heading east of the mountains to Ellensburg next fall to play for Central Washington University.

Now in the shape of his life -- though he gives partial credit to his home gym and consistent training throughout the pandemic’s shutdown period -- Coalson says he’s ready to lead a Peninsula defense hungry for a deeper run in the state tournament.

“It’s great being back with the guys,” Coalson said. “This senior and junior class… we’re really tight, and we’re a solid group. It’s awesome being back together and we’re looking really sharp. We just want to get back on the field. We’ve got something to prove.”

Peninsula won their conference last year, and cruised to the Round of 16 after shutting out Arlington. But they hit a roadblock, when Mount Spokane knocked off the Seahawks in a convincing 35-10 contest.

For a team that’s very familiar with the quarterfinals and beyond, it was an earlier exit than anticipated for the Seahawks, and Coalson says they’re more than ready to be back.

“I want to lead the team and be a captain,” Coalson said. “I’m looking to be one of the best defensive players in the league and lead the team as far as we can go.”

Though Coalson trains both at home and with the team during their biweekly, socially-distanced meetings, the safety centered his focus on studying film.

It’s a practice that helps Coalson with his responsibility of serving as the “quarterback of the defense,” along with keeping the defense in place.

“He’s smart,” Filkins said of Coalson. “He’s a good communicator back there and trusts his eyes. He doesn’t have to retrace his steps very often, and he’s physical. When he comes downhill into the box, he hits just like any aggressive linebacker that’s out there. He’s a force in both the run game and preventing big plays in the passing game.”

As Peninsula nears the start of their abbreviated spring season -- Filkins says to expect more information on scheduling and practice regulations during the first week of January -- Coalson confirmed his commitment to Central Washington University earlier this week.

Coalson says he made productive conversation with coaches from within the Central program, and had the school at the top of his list.

“[Chase] wants to find the right fit,” Filkins said. “I just know that [Central] is going to be really happy with the caliber of person and player that he is. He’s so well-rounded.”

This story was originally published December 22, 2020 at 6:00 AM.