‘A glass-half-full kind of guy’ — all good for Lynden Christian quarterback Will Colwell
Will Colwell seems like the ideal COVID era quarterback.
It takes a lot to discourage the 6-foot-4 Lynden Christian senior.
Not three weeks between games.
Not nine lost days of practice due to the school’s COVID closure before the latest game.
Not just two days of practice for that game against an opponent with an unusual power offense.
Not losses against strong Class 2A teams in his first two varsity starts at quarterback after the 1A Lyncs went a combined 16-3 in the previous two seasons.
Not varsity inexperience.
It’s no wonder the personable Colwell says he’s “a glass half-full kind of guy.”
As accurate has he already has shown he can be, he might be able to stand 30 yards away and knock that glass off a post.
“Will is awesome,” is how longtime coach Dan Kaemingk sums up his work ethic and character.
Colwell and his teammates looked like Northwest Conference 1A contenders when they resumed action last Saturday, Oct. 9, with a solid 38-20 non-league win over Onalaska.
The Lyncs (2-2) were originally scheduled to face Meridian in a Northwest Conference 1A game, but a 14-day quarantine due to COVID cases at LC led to what may be either a postponement or a cancellation, depending on whether that game needs to be made up in Week 10.
One week earlier, the quarantine delayed or cancelled the Lyncs’ conference opener against Blaine.
“There are so many possibilities now (regarding how the conference’s two state playoff teams will be chosen in Week 10), I try not to think about it,” Colwell said.
In a pair of challenging league games, LC is scheduled to play at Nooksack (3-3, 1-1) on Friday, Oct 15, and to host Mount Baker (3-2, 1-0) on Oct. 22. A non-league game against Spokane’s East Valley is scheduled Oct. 30.
Colwell and his crew of above-average receivers seem ready for the challenge.
They did not allow themselves to get rusty during school quarantine.
Colwell led his receiving buddies to local fields for throwing sessions without coaches along with non-school weight-lifting workouts. The result was Colwell’s 13-for-22 accuracy for no interceptions and 196 yards and touchdowns to Jamison Hintz and Tyler Sipma, along with game highs of five catches for 79 yards by Sam Penner. Colwell also rushed seven times for 33 yards and his reliable line did not allow a sack.
“I was very grateful to get the Onalaska game,“ said Colwell, who along with teammates passed COVID protocols to make the game possible. “I did not expect to have a game that soon.“
Eleven touchdown passes in his first four varsity starts does not shock Colwell, who led LC’s freshman team to a 6-2 record in 2018 and the junior varsity to 8-0 perfection in 2019.
“We have a pass-first offense,” he said, although 6-4 junior running back Kade Eldridge showed he is beginning to develop with 14 carries for 60 yards, without losing yards on any run.
Kaemingk was also impressed when it was pointed out to him that Colwell did not gripe when he was the backup to Logan Dykstra during LC’s abbreviated 5-0 season last winter.
“That says it all about Will Colwell,” Kaemingk said.
“I felt fortunate to learn from such a talented player as Logan,” Colwell said of Dykstra, now playing small-college ball at Northwestern College in Iowa. “Logan’s a great guy, one of the best to go through our program. Logan was a huge help to me.”
Colwell “definitely” wants to play college ball, having already attracted an offer from Arizona Christian College. He has a 3.84 grade-point average and wants to major in business, though he can also see himself as a coach.
Colwell arrived in Lynden during third grade in a family move from Surrey, B.C.
“I’ve always been a quarterback,” he said. “I started playing quarterback in fourth grade.”
Colwell found ways to contribute on special teams and defense his sophomore and junior years.
He says last winter’s hastily scheduled game against Lynden — their first football match-up in 28 years, though they meet in other team sports — provided a thrilling 28-21 LC win that he will never forget.
“We were underdogs but we didn’t see ourselves as underdogs,” said Colwell, who wants to thank his coaches and teammates for giving him his opportunity.
Kaemingk feels blessed to have such a loyal quarterback.
“Will is a quiet leader, a leader by example,” his coach said. “He’s a great decision-maker and has the respect of his teammates.”
WEEK SEVEN
Friday’s games
Lynden Christian at Nooksack Valley, 7 p.m.
Lynden vs. Sehome at Civic Stadium, 7 p.m.
Blaine at Mount Baker, 7 p.m.
Stanwood vs. Ferndale at Blaine, 7 p.m.
Squalicum at Sedro-Woolley, 7 p.m.
Meridian at Everett, 8 p.m.
Bellingham at Friday Harbor, 6 p.m.
Saturday’s game
Lummi at Crescent, 2 p.m.
