Braves football ends with loss, team lays foundation for future

Throughout a scoreless, injury-riddled season, La Conner High football players were always willing to go the extra mile for head coach Charlie Edwards and his assistants.

That was true – both literally and figuratively – on Saturday morning, just hours after the Braves closed out their 2021 grid campaign with a 56-0 loss at league leading Friday Harbor.

Several La Conner players showed up for the weekly “Coaches’ Mile” workout at Whittaker Field, a team tradition every bit a bonding experience as much as a fitness session.

“Our season officially ended last night in Friday Harbor,” Edwards said Saturday, “so I’m happy these young men still joined me for the ‘Coaches’ Mile’ this morning.”

La Conner (0-5) showed flashes at Friday Harbor of good things to come for a young roster whose lineups were often cobbled together weekly based on who was healthy at the time. A mid-season non-conference date with Bellingham had to be scrapped entirely due to a rash of injuries.

With little other than pride to play for at Friday Harbor, La Conner players showed they had plenty of that if not anything to show on the scoreboard.

“We started off moving the ball and playing great defense,” Edwards told the Weekly News. “And I noticed a few of our younger players figured things out last night.

“I have told them often,” he added, “that I can tell you what to do and what to expect, but until you feel it happen you probably won’t understand what I mean.”

Edwards said he was buoyed by his players’ passion for football despite the injuries and lopsided defeats.

“Even with the loss at Friday Harbor,” said Edwards, “I had players tell me the game was fun. And I see great things coming for this team.”

As for Friday Harbor, the Wolverines visit Coupeville tomorrow at 4 p.m. with a chance to clinch the league title outright. If Coupeville wins, the two teams will tie for the NW2B crown and set up an Oct. 30 half-game playoff at a neutral site.