The undefeated Arlington High School football team certainly isn’t short on talent. But the Eagles, ranked No. 7 in this week’s WashingtonPreps.com Class 4A poll, are about to get a big boost.
Arlington senior Taylor Brown was cleared last Friday to fully participate for the first-place Eagles (5-0 in the Western Conference North Division and overall). Previously, Brown was limited to kickoff and placekicking duties as he recovered from a major arm injury.
“He’s a strong, fast kid. That’s going to be good to get him back,” Arlington coach John Boitano said of Brown, who will contribute as a hard-hitting linebacker and add depth to the Eagles’ already-loaded offensive backfield. Boitano said he will ease the 6-foot, 205-pound Brown back into the mix, and that the senior could see defensive action within the next two weeks.
Last April, Brown tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm while pitching during baseball season. After enduring surgery on May 4, Brown couldn’t straighten his elbow for a month. He began intense rehabilitation and missed Arlington’s first two days of practice in August, but then a doctor cleared him to kick.
On Friday, before Arlington’s Stilly Cup victory over Stanwood, Brown took part in full pre-game drills for the first time this season. “It felt good,” said Brown, who wore an arm brace. “I had all the support from my teammates. They’re glad to see me back.”
Brown made two of three point-after-touchdown kicks and booted three touchbacks in Arlington’s 20-7 victory. For the season, he has gone 15-for-19 on PATs and 1-for-2 on field goals. Brown attributes his leg strength to eight years of competitive soccer.
“Oh, he’s got an amazing leg,” Arlington assistant coach Reed Richardson said. “He’ll kick 55-yarders in practice.”
Now that Brown’s healthy again, he can contribute even more – which could be bad (see: painful) news for opponents. According to Richardson, on two occasions last year Brown’s jarring tackles knocked helmets off opposing ball carriers.
Seahawks in Stanwood: Seattle Seahawks players Kelly Herndon and Jordan Babineaux will visit Stanwood High today as part of the annual NFL High School Tuesday program, a community outreach effort in which at least one player from every NFL team participates.
Stanwood was picked at random to host the event after students from a number of schools submitted requests in August and September.
Herndon, a cornerback, and Babineaux, a strong safety, will be at the school from 12:30-2 p.m. They will talk to administrative staff, students and coaches. Sea Gal DeAnna, a Stanwood graduate, will also attend the event.
Bellevue fourth, Ferndale 35th in national poll: Washington 3A teams Bellevue (4-0) and Ferndale (5-0) are both included in this week’s Student Sports Fab 50 National High School Football Rankings. Bellevue, which beat Mount Si 35-7 on Friday, is No. 4, while Ferndale, a 54-14 winner over Sedro-Woolley, is No. 35. The teams seem headed for another highly anticipated state-championship battle. Last year, Bellevue toppled Ferndale 31-28 in the title game.
Free recruiting workshop: Kamiak Athletic Boosters encourage parents and athletes to attend Recruiting 101, a seminar on the realities of college recruiting. The free event, open to the public, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Kamiak High commons. Tim Hunt, a former college scout and TV broadcaster, is the guest speaker. For more information, call 425-348-4158.
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