Sealth last Friday. The Wildcats are off to a 1-1 start and are optimistic about their season. Courtesy photo.
By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Metro football is underway and one team to keep an eye on is West Seattle High School. With coach Jeff Scott in his third year at the helm, the Wildcats are continuing to build a competitive football program. This year with a stable of exceptional talent and a young team, West Seattle High School football has a promising future.
“Young, vibrant, energetic, intelligent and we are still building,” says Scott in describing his team. “I think the attitude of our players are spot on. We understand that we’re building a program and it doesn’t happen overnight and it comes with dedication and sacrifice and our kids are making that sacrifice, and helping the team get over the hump.”
West Seattle’s offense is led by sophomore quarterback Axel Johnson (5’9”, 160), who along with senior wideout Jimmy Fomby (6’3”, 175), junior half back/receiver Jaxton Helmstetler (6’1”, 190) and junior center/defensive end Reuben Leiataua (6’2”, 250) are the heart and soul of the team.
“We are extremely young,” says Scott. “We have a sophomore quarterback, so this is his second game taking snaps at the varsity level. We have a big, young offensive line led by Reuben Leiataua, standout players in Jimmy Fomby and Jaxton Helmstetler along with a very talented group that compliments each other but we are still building.”
With 1-1 record, the Wildcats are optimistic about their chances to be competitive in the hunt for first place in the Valley Division. With a victory over last year’s division champions Cleveland and loss to Chief Sealth, West Seattle has two contests under their belt, and two examples to learn from that will dictate the direction the team chooses to go in.
“Last year and the year before we went 3-7,” recalls Scott. “This year we are off to 1-1 start, we beat Cleveland — our division champion last year — and we lost to our rival Sealth this past week. So, we feel like we are in the hunt to win our division.”
Helmstetler agrees and says that you can definitely feel the shift in the atmosphere surrounding the program.
“It’s a new type of vibe,” says Helmstetler. “Everybody is buying into what our head coach is saying to us and everybody understands this and we are really motivated.”
All competitive sports teams have had to adhere to COVID protocols and West Seattle is no exception. As a team they have adapted to the new changes as best they can. They find motivation from their coaching staff and in each other pushing their competitive spirits to come together as a team in order to win.
“At first, it felt kind of strange,” says Helmstetler of playing under the new COVID protocols. “For one being around people, I’ve been isolated for so long but in a sense it has been great. It gives us something to focus on and work towards and being cautious of everyone’s health and understanding the risks but it’s been great to be outside, be with our teammates and play some football.”
catches a touchdown pass against
Chief Seatlh last Friday. Courtesy
Photo.
With six catches, 110 yards and two touchdowns in their first two games, Fomby’s play has put him in a leadership position. One that he relishes due to his work ethic. Leading by example is the only thing he knows and that he has learned from men who are not only his coaches but who have become his mentors.
“I believe in my team and have high confidence in every one of my teammates and love every single one of my guys,” says Fomby. “Being a captain, I have to show leadership and I try to bring confidence. But it all starts with my coaches and what I am learning from them.”
Helmstetler looks at his teammates as brothers who are committed to compete. He looks to them for motivation during battle. Against Cleveland, Helmstetler had a monster game with five catches for sixty-five yards and a touchdown. And, with a possible career in pro baseball and what looks like the beginnings of a successful football season, Helmstetler will have decisions to make at the end of his high school career.
“We all just trust each other,” says Helmstetler. “We are playing for each other as a team and I think that is what motivates us as a team. We’re going out there everyday and put in one-hundred percent in practice and in games and go and try in win on Friday nights.”
Winning the division is the priority for this team in the hopes of promoting and boosting the program to another level. With young talent in place getting valuable experience, West Seattle is positioning itself for not only a fruitful 2021 season but striving for success in the coming years.
“Our goal like every other team is to win our division,” says Scott. “I think by winning our division we are going to create some momentum in our program. We have a lot of good players in place getting a lot of playing experience so, I think we are going to be a team to be reckoned with in the next year for sure.”
Leiataua believes it is the bond and their team’s aggressiveness that is impacting the team’s success.
“I think we are really good,” says Leiataua. “We are a physical team and our bond is solid, everything seems to be falling into place.”
According to Scott, the best thing about West Seattle football is the support that they receive from the community. Not only are they concerned about the success of the program, but they are concerned with the individual success of the players both on and off the field.
“I love the West Seattle community,” says Scott.” They have welcomed me with open arms. We’ve done some amazing things in the last three years from new uniforms and football equipment to help build up the program.”
