Kernels and other tasty nicknames
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Q: What are the most interesting high-school nicknames in the state?
A: Here's my list of favorites by categories:
Occupations — Ilwaco Fishermen, Camas Papermakers, Shelton Highclimbers (loggers who top trees), Fort Vancouver Trappers, Northwest Christian Navigators, Eatonville Cruisers (loggers who scout and appraise timber), Charles Wright Tarriers (railroad workers from Ireland), Chimacum Cowboys, Evergreen (Vancouver) Plainsmen, Bush and Timberline Blazers, Naches Valley and Selkirk Rangers.
Most controversial — Richland Bombers.
Geographic — Blaine Borderites, Mercer Island Islanders.
Unusual birds — Explorations High School (Bellingham) Screaming Penguins (fields only one team — in orienteering), Overlake Owls, Clarkston Bantams, Auburn Riverside Ravens.
Historical — Lincoln Abes, Roosevelt and Port Angeles Roughriders.
Best sounding — Skykomish High Rockets ("Sky High Rockets").
Fish — Cascade Christian Academy (Wenatchee) Coho Salmon; Kalama Chinooks, Puget Sound Adventist Sharks.
Things you eat — Oakville Acorns, Mansfield Kernels, Ridgefield Spudders (former potato-farming area); Waterville Shockers (bundles of wheat).
Religious — Northwest Yeshiva 613s (Jewish laws).
Best critters — St. George's (Spokane) Dragons, Quincy Jackrabbits, Pateros Billygoats, Lake Washington Kangaroos, Davenport Gorillas, Wahkiakum Mules, University Prep Pumas, Cascade (Leavenworth) Kodiaks, Chelan Goats, Deer Park Stags, Kittitas Coyotes, Lopez Lobos, Zillah Leopards.
Nature names — Gig Harbor Tides, LaSalle (Yakima) Lightning, Franklin Quakers (like an earthquake — wink, wink, though to most folks it's still the religious group); Mountain View Thunder; Naselle Comets, Yelm Tornados, Mount Vernon Christian Hurricanes, Southridge (Kennewick) Suns, Squalicum (Bellingham) and Skyview (Vancouver) Storm.
Peoples — Ferris Saxons, Sultan Turks, Klickitat Vandals, O'Dea Fighting Irish.
Unique — Taholah Chitwhins (Quinault for bear).
Most appropriate — Eisenhower Cadets, Mount Baker Mountaineers.
Q: What was the best era of Metro League football?
A: My vote is the 1960s. The league provided a steady stream of Pac-10 players, the schools were big and neighborhood-based and the league had a showpiece game on Thanksgiving Day. Remember, this was the era before state playoffs started in 1973. Best team of the decade? Probably the 1967 Ingraham Rams who weren't scored upon in their first eight games, beat Nathan Hale 20-14 before 14,240 in Game 9 and beat Garfield 44-14 in the Turkey Day game.
Q: I've heard that football coaches are hamstrung in lopsided games because if they unload their benches too early, their young kids won't be able to play much in the next junior-varsity game. Is that true?
A: Coaches aren't that hamstrung. The state rule is that you can play only four quarters in three days. The exception is that you can play four quarters on Friday and four quarters on Monday, which is when most JV games are held. Players are limited to 40 quarters of competition (jamborees don't count) in a regular season. Most schools schedule fewer JV games than varsity games to avoid breaking the rule.
Q: Why is the football field for Enumclaw High School called "Pete's Pool"?
A: Because the field is on the site of an athletic complex on the edge of town that at one time contained a huge, spring-fed swimming pool. The late Pete Chorak was the community leader who spearheaded construction of the complex on his land that still includes a fieldhouse built during the Depression by the WPA. Enumclaw High School played its home football games at a middle school until the 1960s, but when the stands burned down, games were moved to the Pete's Pool complex. The leaky pool was closed in the 1970s.
Q: Is it true that the University of Washington played high schools in football early in the 20th century?
A: Yes, high schools were among the Huskies' opponents until 1914. The Huskies were 10-0-1, with the tie a scoreless game against Seattle High School in 1907. Among the schools the Huskies beat were Aberdeen, Everett, Queen Anne and Lincoln of Seattle.
Q: What is the prettiest sight in Washington high-school sports?
A: The start of races at the state cross-country races in Pasco. It's a 64-Crayon box full of colors.
Have a question about high-school sports you've been dying to ask? Go ahead, and Craig Smith will find the answer. Ask your question in one of the following ways: Voice-mail (206-464-8279), snail mail (Craig Smith, Seattle Times Sports, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111), or e-mail (csmith@seattletimes.com).