Coach: Jamie Plenkovich, 14th season with Ferndale (115-33), 18th season overall (141-45)
Home Field: Ferndale High School
Last Season: 9-2 (5-1 WesCo North)
Key Losses: Ben Broselle RB/LB; Justice Powell RB/LB; Winterhawk Leighton OL/DL; Jacob Kildall WR/DB; Patrick Hegarty K.
Top Returnees: James Hinson QB/DB/P; Mikhail Varetskiy OL/DL; Geirean Hatchett OL/DL; Cole Semu RB/DB.
- James Hinson – Quarterback/Cornerback/Punter
If I was asked who I thought is the best overall player in Whatcom County is this year, I would go with Hinson. He’s been overshadowed by the big 1A quarterbacks, but Hinson is tremendous. He’s also the best corner in the county.
2. Mikhail Varetsky – Offensive Tackle/Defensive End
He was a dominant two-way lineman last season, and he should be even greater this year. One of the strongest players in Whatcom County.
3. Geirean Hatchett – Guard/Defensive End
Hatchett could become one of the best players Whatcom County ever produces. Already standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 250 pounds, this super sophomore has an extremely bright future.
4. Cole Semu – Running Back/Safety
He’s one of my favorite players to watch, on both sides of the ball. He could also be dangerous in the return game, and as a receiver out of the backfield.
Fastest Players: Jarid Poole, Cole Semu and James Hinson.
Strongest Players: Mikhail Varetskiy and Alex Cleary.
Smartest Players: Alex Cleary and James Hinson.
Who will be Ferndale’s breakout player?
Watiko Leighton – Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
He’s had a tremendous off-season, and he has impressed during camp. He could turn into the main target for Hinson, and have one of the best receiving years in school history.
2016 RESULTS
Ferndale 41, Vancouver College 0
Ferndale 27, Lynden 20
Ferndale 56, South Kitsap 41
Ferndale 41, Arlington 0
Ferndale 49, Marysville-Pilchuck 7
Ferndale 55, Stanwood 14
Ferndale 35, Oak Harbor 18
Squalicum 47, Ferndale 42
Ferndale 42, Marysville-Getchell 7
Ferndale 35, Capital 7
O’Dea 42, Ferndale 21
2017 SCHEDULE
09/01 – Vancouver Academy (BC) – 7 PM
09/08 – Lynden – 7 PM
09/15 – at South Kitsap – 7 PM
09/22 – Arlington – 7 PM
09/29 – at Marysville-Pilchuck – 7 PM
10/06 – Stanwood – 7 PM
10/13 – at Oak Harbor – 7 PM
10/20 – Squalicum – 7 PM
10/27 – at Marysville-Getchell – 7 PM
The machine that is Ferndale football is ready for another season, and the blue and gold have some major weapons back that could lead them to a WesCo North championship.
“I’ve been happy with the leadership of this group of seniors,” coach Jamie Plenkovich said. “Every group is a little different, but I really like this group.” What’s not to like? The Golden Eagles return many key components to last year’s state-playoff team.
One of the key return players is senior quarterback James Hinson, who is now in his third season as the starting quarterback. “He’s really talented,” said Plenkovich. “It’s quite a luxury to have him out there. Not only because of how talented he is, but he has a complete understanding of what we’re doing on offense.” Hinson is also just 68 completions away from breaking the career school record, held by Casey Locker.
Senior Cole Semu returns to the backfield (1117 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016), but this time he will be moved back to his more familiar position of halfback. Senior Gabe Zwade and junior Gader Fox will split time at fullback, and are both pretty equal. Senior Conner Obergottsberger has great speed, and could be a difference maker at the wing position.
Junior receiver Watiko Leighton has impressed the coaches during camp, and he could be the main passing target for Hinson. He’s being pushed by 6-foot-1 senior Jared Emmert. Senior Carter Colon (6-3 205) is back at tight end.
The offensive line will remain a great one for Ferndale, with three key players back. Senior Mikhail Varetskiy and sophomore Geirean Hatchett were both top performers last season, and should be even better in 2017. Senior Alex Cleary is one of the smartest players on the team, and he returns at guard. 220-pound senior Spencer Crosswhite has been a pleasant surprise, and should start at center.
Varetskiy and Hatchett both return at defensive end, giving the Golden Eagles one of the best set of bookends in Whatcom County history. You can also expect to see Fox get reps at defensive end as well. Crosswhite and 230-pound senior Reid Benson will fill out the interior of the defensive line. Cleary is back for his third year as a starting linebacker, and he should be joined by Zwade and Colon.
Hinson returns as perhaps the best cover cornerback in Whatcom County; he returned two interceptions for touchdowns in one game last season against Stanwood. Junior Sequoyah Julius started at cornerback near the end of last season, and could get a lot of action opposite of Hinson this year. The hard-hitting Semu returns at safety, and he will be joined by either Emmert or Obergottsberger.
It’s an open competition to replace last year’s star kicker, Patrick Hegarty. Hinson returns to do the punting. Semu and Hinson should fill in as the return specialists.
I have a great feeling about this year’s team. I feel that they have just the right pieces to make it interesting come late November.
2017 Roster
| No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | Pos. |
| 3 | Conner Obergottsberger | 5-9 | 175 | Sr. | RB/DB |
| 4 | Daniel Stewart | 5-11 | 160 | Jr. | K |
| 5 | Marcos Ortiz | 5-8 | 150 | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 5 | Taylor Lupo | 5-8 | 130 | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 6 | Zack Dowers | 6-0 | 195 | So. | QB/DB |
| 7 | Watiko Leighton | 6-0 | 165 | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 8 | Michael Bernard | 5-5 | 140 | So. | RB/DB |
| 9 | Jordan Smith | 5-11 | 155 | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 11 | Cooper Taxdahl | 5-8 | 135 | So. | QB/WR/DB |
| 12 | Jared Emmert | 6-1 | 175 | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 13 | James Hinson | 6-3 | 200 | Sr. | QB/DB |
| 15 | Isaac Stgeorge | 5-8 | 165 | So. | WR/DB |
| 17 | Carson Moyes | 5-9 | 160 | Jr. | QB/DB |
| 20 | Jacob Broselle | 6-0 | 165 | So. | RB/DB |
| 21 | Cole Semu | 5-10 | 200 | Sr. | RB/DB |
| 22 | Sequoyah Julius | 6-0 | 160 | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 23 | Gabe Zwade | 5-10 | 190 | Sr. | RB/LB |
| 24 | Jarid Poole | 5-11 | 180 | Sr. | RB/DB |
| 25 | Nick Leavitt | 5-11 | 145 | So. | RB/LB |
| 26 | Sean Gomes | 5-7 | 175 | Sr. | RB/LB |
| 28 | Jaron Green | 5-9 | 135 | So. | WR/DB |
| 29 | Gadar Fox | 6-0 | 205 | Jr. | RB/DL |
| 30 | Kaleb Morgan | 5-5 | 135 | So. | RB/DB |
| 31 | Austin Mcmanus | 5-6 | 140 | So. | WR/DB |
| 32 | Jaden Schwartz | 5-8 | 165 | Jr. | RB/LB |
| 34 | Carter Colon | 6-3 | 205 | Sr. | TE/LB |
| 35 | Alfonso Billy | 5-6 | 145 | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 36 | Jaden Brown | 5-11 | 160 | Jr. | RB/DB |
| 38 | Bryan Ebe | 5-10 | 165 | Jr. | RB/DB |
| 39 | Dillon Snook | 5-11 | 170 | Jr. | RB/LB |
| 42 | Colby Tegt | 6-2 | 185 | So. | TE/DL |
| 43 | Christopher Werth | 5-10 | 175 | Jr. | TE/LB |
| 44 | Austin Minturn | 6-0 | 200 | So. | RB/LB |
| 45 | Patrick Bello | 5-8 | 165 | Jr. | RB/LB |
| 47 | Reynaldo Aponte | 5-7 | 175 | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 48 | Dylan Letchworth | 6-3 | 160 | Jr. | WR/DB |
| 50 | Aaron Slocum | 6-3 | 240 | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 52 | Brett Westford | 5-11 | 190 | Jr. | G/DL |
| 53 | Uriah Guilory | 5-10 | 200 | Jr. | OL/LB |
| 54 | Russell Miller | 5-7 | 210 | So. | OL/DL |
| 55 | Tyler Demorest | 6-0 | 200 | So. | OL/DL |
| 56 | Alex Cleary | 6-0 | 200 | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 57 | Elias Barragan | 6-1 | 270 | So. | OL/DL |
| 58 | Trae Anderson | 6-1 | 160 | So. | OL/DL |
| 59 | Zach Russell | 5-5 | 150 | So. | OL/DL |
| 61 | Spencer Crosswhite | 6-0 | 220 | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 62 | David Garcia | 5-9 | 205 | So. | OL/DL |
| 63 | Patrick Willett | 6-0 | 300 | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 65 | Edward Aponte | 5-10 | 235 | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 66 | Geirean Hatchett | 6-5 | 250 | So. | OL/DL |
| 67 | Shawn Godinez | 5-9 | 200 | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 71 | Logan Hildebrand | 6-4 | 220 | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 72 | Noah Stamulis | 5-7 | 240 | So. | OL/DL |
| 73 | Darius Washington | 5-10 | 265 | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 74 | Bebeck Aujila | 5-7 | 200 | Jr. | OL/DL |
| 75 | Darius Walker-Perkins | 6-3 | 250 | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 76 | Mikhail Varetskiy | 6-2 | 220 | Sr. | OL/DL |
| 77 | Nathan Oostra | 6-0 | 240 | So. | OL/DL |
| 78 | Sir Charles | 5-8 | 240 | So. | OL/DL |
| 80 | Austin Roughton | 5-9 | 150 | Sr. | WR/DB |
| 81 | Jayden Janisch | 6-2 | 150 | So. | TE/DB |
| 82 | Reid Benson | 6-1 | 230 | Sr. | TE/DL |
| 83 | Jared Jones | 6-1 | 140 | So. | WR/DB |
| 84 | Alyk Wharton | 5-10 | 185 | So. | TE/LB |
| 85 | Trent Schneider | 5-5 | 120 | So. | WR/DB |
| 87 | Tyler Hoffmaster | 5-10 | 200 | Jr. | TE/LB |
| 88 | Micah Oostra | 6-3 | 165 | Sr. | WR/LB |
| 89 | Thaddious Vann | 5-9 | 140 | So. | WR/LB |