Peninsula one of the South Sound’s most consistent programs. Seahawks in the 3A SSC title hunt again

If there is one word that can truly define the football program at Peninsula High School, it’s consistency.

Before the hiatus of playoff football due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seahawks were on a streak, making the postseason 14 of the last 15 years and the state quarterfinals six years out of the last eight.

Now that things are back on track, the Seahawks are eager to play against their 3A South Sound Conference opponents. When they were put into the 4A South Puget Sound League to help cut down on traveling between counties during last spring’s shortened season, they posted a 5-1 record and continually proved that they can compete with anyone, regardless of classification.

“[Coming back to the SSC], we have got to forget about last year. Graham-Kapowsin humbled us last year, but it was a great experience for us as a young team,” said head coach Ross Filkins. “Now we learn from it and understand that anything that we’ve done in the past isn’t going to win you your next game. We have got to focus every day and come out being as efficient and give the greatest effort we possibly can every practice.”

One of the biggest positives coming into this season for the Seahawks is their senior class having plenty of playing experience. Offensive linemen like Taylor Jones and Hall Schmidt will help anchor the offense, and linebacker Josh Hinkel and defensive end Caleb Novak will hold together on the defense.

Then there’s senior quarterback Jake Bice, who helped lead an offense that averaged 40 points per game last spring. He threw for 998 yards and seven touchdowns. Among his teammates, he is considered the center of the nucleus of players that have built a bond since the fourth grade.

“I have a lot of confidence in the guys around me. I’ve known these guys since the fourth or fifth grade, we’ve built that bond over the years,” Bice said. “I know that if we get in a tough game, I trust everyone around me… I feel like our defense is really physical. If it comes down to the fourth quarter, they’re going to beat the other team up a bit and we’re going to come out on top… I know both sides of the ball are going to do their jobs and do them well.”

One of the Seahawks’ strengths in their potent offensive attack is how effective they are in the running game. In the six games that they played last season, they averaged 220.5 rushing yards and 4.2 touchdowns per game as well.

Ask anyone on the team and they will say that the success of the running game starts in the trenches with the offensive linemen. And again, returning players like Schmidt and Jones are pluses for the Seahawks. If they execute, the running backs can make their plays.

Schmidt, considered a three-star recruit by 247sports.com, recently committed to Boise State. Having his post-high school plans figured out is exciting for him, but Schmidt is ready to take care of business on the field first.

“I’m super excited for my senior season, we have a great team. Our offensive line is where it starts and that’s our strongest point right now,” the future Bronco said. “I help out my team the best I can and lead them to the promised land. We’re a run-first team, and we get yards running so that’s what we are going to do all year. [I like run blocking] because I can get some people on the ground.”

This will be the year where Hinkel will try to shine as both the starting running back and middle linebacker.

Last season there were some growing pains as a junior, as he didn’t get to run the ball very much, behind Sean Skladany (Eastern Washington) and Landon Sims. Hinkle only accounted for 78 rushing yards on 10 attempts.

Now, it’s his time to shine as a senior.

“I want to have a big rushing season. I didn’t really get that rushing experience last year. We had a couple of seniors that were pretty good at running back,” he said. “I want to have at least over 1,500 yards. I think I can do that. I mean we have a great line, and we have Schmidt out there. He’s a big guy and he’s my lead blocker most plays.”

Again, Hinkle is also the starting middle linebacker for a Seahawks defense that held opponents to 21.7 points per game. He played his role well by recording 23 total tackles, a tackle for loss, and two sacks.

Peninsula’s defense held opponents to 145 rushing yards and 169.3 passing yards a game.

Another player that will be splitting time between offense and defense this year and looking to make some noise is Novak. As a defensive end and tight end, he has plenty of familiarity with the line of scrimmage.

He’s hoping to improve on his six tackles and three sacks last season, but he sees his duty as an older role model as just as important as winning football games.

“I love these guys, I expect us all to come together before the season begins. I think we got a good bond, especially since day one,” Novak said. “I expect big things out of us. I play my role and as a senior, I got to coach up some of the younger guys so that way they know what I know… Everybody wants the ring, everybody wants the state championship. It’s one day at a time though.”

The Seahawks’ quest to keep up their consistent playoff run will begin again at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 when they open their season at Roy Anderson Field against Bellevue.

PENINSULA SEAHAWKS

Coach: Ross Filkins, 26th year

Spring 2021 record: 5-1, third place in 4A SPSL

Offensive coordinator, base scheme: Jim Fairfield, Multi-Spread

Defensive coordinator, base scheme: Joel Epstein, The ‘Ameba’ D (multiple)

Top players: QB Jake Bice, 6-3, 195, jr; OT Hall Schmidt, 6-7, 305, sr; OG/DL, Taylor Jones, 6-0, 270, sr; LB/RB Josh Hinkel, 6-0, 190, sr; DE/TE Caleb Novak, 6-4, 260, sr.

Outlook: Peninsula will contend with Yelm for the 3A South Sound Conference title, and will be in the mix to make the 3A state tournament. The senior class that has plenty of talent, highlighted by offensive lineman Hall Schmidt, a Boise State commit. Jake Bice will continue development at quarterback and Josh Hinkel will try to continue the legacy of the Seahawks’ punishing run game. There will also be several key two-way players like Hinkel, Taylor Jones, and Caleb Novak. The junior class is also ready to step up as Dane Meddaugh and Jones Stalker will bolster the defense.