The Hudson’s Bay football team knows it was just one game, one win.
But it was more than just a non-league football game.
It was a rivalry game.
It was a shutout.
It was a chance to announce the arrival of a new head coach, a new program, and new start.
“We’re definitely going to change it,” sophomore Marcus Cadiz said, referring to the reputation of the Eagles’ football program. “We’re not going to be the same old Hudson’s Bay. People are going to know us for what we do.”
Hudson’s Bay opened the 2015 season with a 22-0 victory over Fort Vancouver in the Peace Pipe game. That is the first shutout for the Eagles since 2002.
“That was like a dream come true,” senior Stone Sabourin said. “It’s an adrenaline rush. For the four years I’ve been playing varsity and I never expected something like that.”
This victory was the product of a combination of senior leadership and young talent. Today and tomorrow of Hudson’s Bay football.
Sabourin, a linebacker, said he noticed a difference in June, when several sophomores showed up to drills stronger, faster. It was clear, he said, that those guys were tired of the old Hudson’s Bay.
“They believe like I believe,” Sabourin said.
Cadiz, one of those sophomores, capped the victory Friday night with an interception return for a touchdown.
“I yelled ‘Bingo!’ as many times as I could and just took off running,” Cadiz said of his pick-six. “I had the will that no one could stop me.”
Then there is freshman Toa (short for Akilotoa) Kaumatule, who excelled on defense as a linebacker and also rushed for Bay’s two offensive touchdowns.
“I didn’t expect to play (varsity) that much at the beginning of summer,” Kaumatule said.
He just went to work.
By August, a coach gave him a hint that he would have a big role on the team.
“I was told, ‘If I give you this position, you’re going to have to keep working hard.’ ” Kaumatule said.
This goes with new coach Mark Oliverio’s philosophy. He told his team when he took over the program that the best players — the most committed — would play, regardless of year in school. He wanted an open competition. He got it.
Then the Eagles performed when it mattered — game night. Considering the Eagles have won just four games since the 2011 season, it was special for them.
“It definitely felt good. Not just for the coaches and players, but the parents and the community,” Oliverio said. “Everybody’s put so much into it.”
The Eagles even impressed some of their classmates. Five more players came out for football this week, wanting to be part of something.
That might not fly at some of the more established programs, but at Bay, they need the numbers.
Those new players will have to complete the required number of practices before becoming eligible to play in a game, but they will be welcome, Oliverio said.
“There is a huge buzz. Everybody’s really excited,” Oliverio said. “Around the school, the guys are feeling like this was a first step toward looking ahead and not looking back again.”
This does not mean the Eagles expect to go 7-2 or anything. It just means this new era is off to a good start.
“I feel like the kids aren’t satisfied. I still feel like they’re hungry,” Oliverio said. “I feel that’s important.”
Hudson’s Bay, a Class 2A program, will face 4A Heritage on Friday night. It is another challenge.
“Fortunately, they only get to put 11 out there (at a time),” Oliverio said. “We’ll have to play our best football to have an opportunity. That’s just want we want. We want to play our best football.”
At Hudson’s Bay, the best football just might be in the future.
After battling a tough recent history, that is a step in the right direction.
