Extensive knee rehab has these two seniors at peak performance in Whatcom County
The impact of hundreds of hours of rehabilitation for serious knee injuries hit Ferndale’s Isaiah Carlson and Sehome’s Tommy Funk with full force this past weekend, especially from the standpoints of what the senior stars mean to their teams.
Carlson’s powerful fourth-quarter performance in a 27-24 comeback win over previously unbeaten Arlington kept the Golden Eagles tied at the top of the 3A Wesco North.
Funk’s three touchdowns and 178 yards rushing helped the Mariners to remain undefeated on the field with an impressive 31-7 win over Burlington-Edison and provided a huge psychological boost for the Sehome community in the wake of a forfeit to Sedro-Woolley the week before.
“I’m 100 percent back,” said Carlson, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound fourth-year running back/linebacker who said he has attracted some interest from Pacific-12 Conference schools.
“Yes, I can always improve but I feel 100%,” said Funk, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound fourth-year running back/linebacker who plans to play either football or lacrosse in college.
Carlson was injured in the seventh game last season and missed Ferndale’s state playoff appearance. Funk was sidelined after the fourth game but recalled attending every practice while encouraging his teammates during a 3-6 season, including a comeback shocker over state tournament qualifier Burlington-Edison at season’s end.
“I had to work pretty hard with nine months of rehab,” said Carlson, who drove to Bellevue and Everett several times each week to receive extensive physical therapy. “My teammates were so supportive.”
“Isaiah worked his butt off in rehab,” said Ferndale coach Jamie Plenkovich, who has used his years and years of coaching smarts to patiently ease Carlson back into crucial situations. “You can see how he’s getting stronger.”
Indeed, Carlson turned in a remarkable performance on Ferndale’s final two possessions — touchdown drives of 60 and 58 yards — as the Golden Eagles (2-2 overall, 2-0 Wesco) rallied from a 24-12 deficit.
On Ferndale’s penultimate possession, Carlson’s 5-yard burst earned a first down at the Arlington 30 on a third-and-five situation. Following a 20-yard burst by sophomore speedster Zach Nielsen, Carlson’s 4-yard push set up the first of junior quarterback Bishop Ootsie’s two fourth-quarter scores.
On Ferndale’s final push, which ended with 2:59 remaining, Carlson carried five times for 43 of Ferndale’s 58 yards.
The powerhouse runner blasted to the 1-yard line before a leg cramp forced him out briefly. Ootsie scored from the 1 and Nielsen followed with a 2-point conversion run.
But Carlson was right back in at linebacker to help Ferndale hold on during Arlington’s final series.
Carlson averaged only a dozen carries per game in the first three contests, including losses to top-ranked 2A team Lynden and 4A power Glacier Peak. But when needed most, he ran 22 times for 148 yards and both first-half scores against Arlington, giving him six touchdowns this season.
“That game with Glacier Peak at Lumen Field (home of the Seahawks) was one of my greatest experiences,” said Carlson. “It made me realize again how much I love the game and how much I would like to play in college and get a shot at the NFL.”
Like Carlson, Funk underwent knee surgery soon after being injured against Sedro-Woolley. But even though he was shaken by the loss of his 2021 season — especially after enduring an abbreviated winter 2021 sophomore season because of COVID — he maintained his straight-A grade-point average.
“My faith helped me get through it,” said Funk, a devout Christian.
“I rehabbed in Bellingham with therapist Brian Weeda of Performance Physical Therapy. Mom (Shannon Funk) was a real good three-sport athlete at Sehome (in the late 1980s) and she received treatment for her knee problems with him several years ago,” Funk said. “So I was lucky she knew who to send me to.”
Funk’s father, Brian, was a basketball player at Sehome and provided moral support. So did the Sehome coaches including head coach Kevin Beason.
“Coach is a great guy, so encouraging,” said Funk. “I wouldn’t trade him for anybody.”
“Tommy provides a ton of energy and leadership for our program,” said Beason. “He always responds to adversity and challenges with such a can-do attitude. He really wants the ball at crunch time.”
First-year Lynden Christian coach Greg Terpstra agrees, having served the previous five years as Sehome’s offensive coordinator.
“Tommy is a man-child,” Terpstra said. “He’s the kind of kid you’d love to see date your daughter. But I sure wouldn’t want to get in an alley fight with him. Tommy’s tough!”
Funk had to help his teammates to be emotionally and physically tough following the forfeit to Sedro-Woolley, caused by a confirmed hazing incident. That’s why his performance against Burlington meant so much to everyone.
WEEK 5
Friday, Sept. 30
Meridian at Nooksack Valley, 7 p.m.
Mount Baker at Blaine, 7 p.m.
Lynden vs. Sehome at Civic Stadium, 7 p.m.
Squalicum at Burlington-Edison, 7 p.m.
Ferndale at Marysville-Pilchuck, 7 p.m.
Darrington at Lummi, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 1
Napavine vs. Bellingham at Civic Stadium, 1 p.m.
Lynden Christian vs. Renton at Renton Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.
