BEACHBOYZ NEWS
SAMMAMISH FOOTBALL FINISHES STRONG
Bellevue Reporter, November 5, 2019
Bellevue - The Sammamish football team defeated the Foss Falcons, 54-0, on Nov. 2. The win was the Totems’ second victory of the week. They defeated the West Seattle Wildcats, 20-13, on Oct 29, after lightning on Oct. 25 forced the game to be delayed with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter with the Totems trailing 13-6. When the game resumed on Tuesday, the Totems scored on their first play, a 37-yard touchdown run from running back Eddy Nguyen. Sammamish converted the two-point conversion to take a 14-13 lead. After the defense forced the Wildcats to punt on their next drive, Totems quarterback Josue Lara threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cody Arsenian to put them up 20-13. The win was the third straight for the Totems. See full article
TOTEMS RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
By Benjamin Olson; Bellevue Reporter, August 30, 2019
Bellevue - After a winless 2018 season, the Sammamish Totems are entering the new football campaign hoping to rebuild. “We had a bad season last year,” head coach Rylen Akana said. “We can build on a lot of stuff. Our goal this year is to get above .500.” In his third season with the Totems, Akana expects to see the team improve in all three phases of the game.
“There’s not really one aspect that we did really well at
(last year),” Akana said. “It’s about constantly getting
better on everything, special teams especially. That’s been a thorn in our side.” See full article
SVU LANDS A TOTEM!
April 29, 2019
Buena Vista, VA - The Southern Virginia University Knights football program made one of it's best signing day decisions, by signing Sammamish Totems All-League quarterback Coby Akana. Coby made his decision to continue his education and football career at Southern Virginia University after a visit to the SVU campus during spring break. He announced his commitment via skype with Head Coach Ed Mulitalo. Coach Mulitalo is a Super Bowl XXXV Champion with Baltimore Ravens in 2001.
The Totem football Tribe family is excited for Coby, and can't wait to watch his success on Saturdays with the Knights!
RETURN OF SHS RESIDENT THUNDERBIRD
- Totems News I Thursday; April 5, 2019 I 9:32 am
With open arms we welcome back our resident Thunderbird to our Longhouse! If you can remember back in 2017, the school district had upgraded the stadium lights, and re-located the Thunderbird nest that occupied the north stadium pole lights, to a lone douglas fir tree located on the NE corner of the school property.
This spring, has seen Thunderbird trying to build a nest on the north stadium pole lights. Is it because they like the view better of Totem f ootball, soccer and lacrosse games from the stadium lights? Would we rather they choose the more nature-friendly and natural option of a tree? Well, yes. However, who are we to say otherwise?! Welcome back Thunderbird! Get updates on our Facebook page; @sammamishfootball
ALL KINGCO 3A/2A FOOTBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED
- Seattle Times I Thursday, Nov. 14, 2018 I 12:22pm
Because of our independent schedule, and playing KingCo and Metro schools, we were not allowed to nominate our boys for KingCo all-league honors. We were told they could only receive honorable mention. These boys are every bit worthy of a 1st team all-league nod at their respective positions. We congratulate these young men for their superior play this season, and their contributions to the Sammamish football program!
Congratulations Coby Akana-QB, Daniel Sushkin-RB, Cameron Arsenian-LB, Aman Anwar-DB, Erik Patterson-OL, and Ryan Hervey-P
1st Team Offense: 1st Team DefenseDefense:
QB - Sam Brown, 11, Liberty LB - Drew Fowler,12, Bellevue
RB - Jacob Thoresen, 12, Liberty LB - Jacob Thoreson, 12, Liberty
RB - Alex Reid, 11, Bellevue DE - Matulino Masunu, 10, Bellevue WR - Hunter Johnson, 12, Mercer Island DE - Nick Anderson, 12, LK. WA
WR - Jacob Wright, 12, Liberty DE - Mark Capati, 12, Liberty
OL - Drew Cain, Sr., Liberty S - Isaiah Eubanks, 12, Juanita
OL - Taylor Goins, Jr., Bellevue S - Jake Wright, 12, Liberty
OL - Johnny Barthel, 12, Liberty C - Jaelen Love, 12, Bellevue
OL - Sebastian Garcia, 12, Juanita C - Grand Stading, 12, Mercer Island
K/P - Connor Davis, 11, Liberty
AKANAS' MENTAL TOUGHNESS IS EVIDENT ON THE GRIDIRON
By Shaun Scott; Bellevue Reporter, October 11, 2018
Bellevue - The scoreboard hasn’t been kind to the Sammamish Totems football team during the 2018 season. The Totems, who have lost all six of the games they’ve played this season, aren’t letting the losses affect their preparation or intensity as the season winds down.
Sammamish senior quarterback Coby Akana, who has been the starter under center for the past two seasons, said the mindset of the team has remained upbeat since the first day of practice in August.“I just love playing football. I know my guys know that. Week after week it has been disappointing and unfortunate,” Akana said of the string of defeats. “We lost a few of our key guys (due to injuries) but we all just look forward to practices and games. We enjoy playing this game. We’ve had a lot of fun the past couple of weeks regardless of the score. You don’t get a lot of opportunities to play football like this. The guys understand that. It is fun being out here.”
Akana said his ability to manage a game has grown .... click here to read more
TOTEMS REPRESENT WA STATE IN HAWAII CAMP
- Totems News I May 5, 2018 I 12:30 pm
Kona, HI - A few of our players took advantage of a free college recruiting showcase for sophomores and juniors, on the island of Hawaii. Coaches from schools like Eastern Washington, Colorado Mesa, Montana Tech, East Los Angeles and Antelope Valley College, were there to assess talents. The showcase was hosted by Kealakehe high school, located in Kailua-Kona, HI. Juniors Daniel Sushkin, Coby Akana, Vic Tobias and sophomore Ryan Hervey were the four that made the trip.
Besides a half day of camp football, the boys visited the infamous lava tubes, the historic Kona waterfront, and got to go body surfing at Kua bay.
TOTEMS SPRING BREAK OFFICIAL UW VISIT
April 13, 2018
Montlake, WA - Three Totem football players received an official invite from the UW Football program to visit the university and the Huskies football facilities over spring break. Junior linebacker Cameron Arsenian, junior slot back Aman Anwar, and junior quarterback Coby Akana got to see what the life of a student athlete at the University of Washington does on an everyday basis. Toured the state of the art football facilities, and topped it off with watching the Dawgs in day #7 of spring practices.
When asked to comment on their experience on the day, they all responded that it would be a dream to have an opportunity to be a Husky!
SIGNING DAY GETS A TOTEM!
December 22, 2017
Sacramento, CA - The Sacramento State Hornets football program made one of it's best signing day decisions, with the signing of Sammamish Totems All-League wide receiver Tao McClinton. Tao made his decision to continue his education and football career at Sacramento earlier today.
The Totem football Tribe family is excited for Tao, and can't wait to watch his success on Saturdays with the Hornets!
ALL KINGCO 2A FOOTBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED
- Seattle Times I Thursday, Nov. 15, 2017 I 12:44pm
Six Sammamish football players were named to the KingCo 2A all-league team. Congratulations Tao McClinton, Coby Akana, Daniel Sushkin, Cameron Arsenian, Victor Tobias, and Brandon Zanders on your selections. Double Congratulations to two-way all-league honor selections Tao and Cameron!
Offense: Defense:
QB - Coby Akana, Jr., Sammamish LB - Cameron Arsenian, Jr., Sammamish
RB - Jacob Thoresen, Jr., Liberty LB - Khalil Manning, Sr., Liberty
RB - Jake Wright, Jr., Liberty LB - Jacob Thoresen, Jr., Liberty
WR - Tao McClinton, Sr., Sammamish DE - Alex Olague, Sr., Liberty
WR - Brandon Zanders, Jr., Sammamish DE - Daniel Sushkin, Jr., Sammamish
WR - Reilly Larson, Sr., Liberty DE - Jackson Wray, Sr., Liberty
OL - Jackson Wray, Sr., Liberty S - Tao McClinton, Sr., Sammamish
OL - Cameron Arsenian, Jr., Sammamish S - Jake Wright, Jr., Liberty
OL - Cody Murphy, Sr., Liberty C - Ty Suttles, Jr., Liberty
OL - Drew Cain, Jr., Liberty C - Caleb Carr, Jr., Liberty
K/P - Holden Kooiker, Sr., Liberty
See article here
TOTEMS GIVE HALLOWEEN COMMUNITY SERVICE
October 28, 2017
LakeHills, WA - Sammamish football players took some time over the weekend to give some community service to the children of the LakeHills community.
The LakeHills Neighborhood Associations, 1st annual Trunk-or-Treat event was held at the LakeHills Shopping Center. The boys manned game stations throughout the event, and provided encouragement and a fun, game-like atmosphere for the little trick-or-treaters! Some were even fortunate enough to get to participate in the "Mummy Wrap" race, where kids used T.P to wrap our players into a bonafide mummy!
See more pics click here:
Aman, JP & Jaxon help a little girl be successful in the ring toss game.
TOTEM WARBIRDS VISIT THE JR. SEAHAWKS
October 25, 2017
Bellevue, WA - On a week 9 bye week, the Sammamish football team took some time off to go help and support the Bellevue Jr. Seahawks at their practice.
The boys were excited for the opportunity to instruct, provide a scout team look on offense and defense, and just run around with kids!
The Bellevue Jr. Seahawk coaches were appreciative of the visit. Sophomore level coach Steve Ghio noted, "I saw a liitle bounce and hustle in our kids practice demeanor this week that we haven't seen for awhile. I know having the Totems there provided a refreshing change this week!"
TOTEMS FOOTBALL TEAM CAPTURES THIRD VICTORY
- Bellevue Reporter I Monday, October 2, 2017 I 5:50pm
Bellevue - The Sammamish Totems football squad earned a 15-14 victory against the Ingraham Rams on Sept. 29. The Totems (3-2 overall) will host the Bainbridge Island Spartans at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 at Sammamish High School in Bellevue.
Read Article, click Here
Tao McClinton makes a move upfield against Ingraham on Sept. 29. Photo courtesy of Scott Miller
TOTEMS HIT THE PUGET SOUND TO KINGSTON
September 1, 2017
Kingston, WA - The Sammamish football team and the Sammamish Cheer squad, took a ferry from Seattle to travel across the water to play their season opening game against the Kingston Buccaneers.
It was a beautiful Friday afternoon, a cool 75º with a little Puget Sound breeze blowing off the water. We gathered everyone at the bow of the ferry to take a photo opportunity as a tribe family to share with all of you!
The Totems have a lot of pent-up energy from the off-season, and they're ready to get the season started! The Totems beat Kingston at home last year by a score of 26-18, so the Buccaneers will be looking for payback. BRING IT!
TOTEMS FOCUSED ON DETAILS ON GRIDIRON
By Shaun Scott; Bellevue Reporter, June 20, 2017
Bellevue - Blocking and tackling are undoubtedly two of the most important aspects of the game of football.
Sammamish Totems’ head football coach Rylen Akana, who will be in his first season leading the program after being hired this past February, made sure his players were focused on those two key aspects during spring football practice sessions in June. Totems’ sophomore Victor Tobias, who is slated to be the starting center on the offensive line this fall, is enjoying Akana and his staff’s coaching style.
“It is a great feeling. I honestly think with this team we have a new spirit about us. It means a lot,” Tobias said. “We’re a new team that is growing and we’re going to take it one step at a time.” Read the rest of the article here
McCLINTON IS OUR SENIOR LEADER
By Shaun Scott; Bellevue Reporter, June 19, 2017
Bellevue - Sammamish Totems football player Tao McClinton is a dynamic force on both sides of the ball for his team. McClinton, who will be a senior outside linebacker/wide receiver this fall, literally stands taller than most of the players he goes up against on the gridiron. McClinton is 6-feet, 4-inches tall and possesses a respectable 32-inch vertical leap. The rare combination of size and speed is something McClinton hopes will get him noticed by college scouts.
“I want to play college football at the Division-1 level. I just want to ball out, have a great season and show coaches what I’m made of,” McClinton said.
McClinton said the Totems have fully embraced new head coach Rylen Akana and his coaching staff’s approach to the game. Akana was hired as the Totems head football coach this past February.
“We are all excited as a team. Our team as a whole is just a bunch of young guys and we’re behind our coach fully,” McClinton said of Akana. “We just want to go out and get some wins and have fun.” Read the rest of the article here
2017 TOTEMS YOUTH CAMP
June 28-29, 2017
Bellevue - If you heard young boys whooping and hollering for two days, within earshot of the Sammamish football field, you know it was the Totems Youth Football Camp in full swing!
We were happy to welcome youths ages 8-13 to participate in the 1st annual Totems Youth Football camp, under the direction of new head coach, Ry Akana.
The boys were coached offensive and defensive fundamentals by the Sammamish football coaching staff. Coach Akana, a USA Football Master Trainer, led a "Heads Up" football tackle clinic. Teaching the young football players safer methods of tackling by taking the head out of the tackle progression. The boys also spent a session in the classroom, in a "Student 1st-Athlete 2nd" presentation. They learned the importance of keeping good grades in school, as a criteria to being eligible to play football, and increasing their chances to play beyond high school. See more pictures here: Click Here
2017 SPRING FOOTBALL GAME
June 12, 2017
Bellevue - Come check out the new look Totems football program as they play against Cleveland high school this Saturday, June 17 at 12:00 pm at Sammamish high school.
The boys have had three non-contact practices and 7 contact practice days for spring football, and are chompin' at the bit to get after it this Saturday! We would appreciate your support, and hope to see the stands filled with our Totem Nation!
SPRING FOOTBALL 2017
April 29, 2017
Bellevue - Sign ups for Sammamish Totems 2017 Spring Football is now open for regsistration. If you are interested in playing spring football, you need to register and complete the following items, before the May 26th deadline.
• Current Physical Exam (Good for 2 yrs.)
• Current Impact Test (Good for 2 yrs.)
• Current ASB Card
• Fines paid
If you have any questions regarding the validity of your physical, or impact test, see Ms. Tomlinson in the main office.
SPRING FOOTBALL SIGN UP
OPEN NOW!
Team Cultural Night at Sammamish High School
May 2, 2017
Bellevue
- On May 24, we will have the great fortune of having as our guest, the great, great, great, great grandson of legendary Duwamish leader and Emeral City namesake Chief Seattle ... Ken Workman.
Ken will be teaching us the Pacific Northwest Native American lore of the Totem Pole and the Thunderbird, and it's significance in their culture.
We want to be able to understand what we represent here at Sammamish high school, reverence and respect it.
We encourage parents and family members of players to join us, as this is a team/family event.
*This is a player mandatory event, so make sure you clear your schedules to attend!
Mayhem 7 on 7
May 9, 2017
Bellevue - On Saturday, June 10, Totems football will be hosting an unprecedented 7 on 7 scrimmage at home. Joining us for Mayhem 7's will be Inglemoor, Cleveland, and Bellevue Christian.Mayhem 7's is a concept developed by Coach Akana, to give QB's a mre realistic look in the drill. In the typical 7 on 7 format, the QB is untouched, unbothered by any pressure and sits comfortably back in the pocket with a 4 second window to throw to an open receiver. We all know that's not how hat works at game speed. In Mayhem 7's, there are 3 rushers on the line of scrimmage. Live rushers are pre-determined by the offensive coach. He can send 1 or 2 of the 3 rushers. At the snap of the ball, the defensive rusher take a 2 second count, then all take two hard steps upfield to the QB. Only the pre-determined rusher(s) will continue to the QB, and will stop at 1 yard in front of the QB and gently hit him with a pool noodle. If the QB has has not got the ball out before the live rusher approaches, he uses his evasion skills to evade the live rusher and makes a throw. The QB must make quicker decisions, utilize his escape techniques in the pocket and make accurate throws on the run.
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