Bellingham coach will watch his son lead Squalicum against Sehome in Week 8 football action
Adam Leonard is one of the few football-loving people with strong connections to all three high school programs in Bellingham.
That’s why he’ll take a keen interest in seeing his son, junior Josh Leonard, lead Squalicum at quarterback against Sehome in a crucial Week Eight Class 2A Northwest Conference showdown Friday, Oct. 21, at Civic Stadium, with a single remaining NWC state playoff spot on the line.
The next day, the first-year Bellingham coach will take on the challenge of coaching his independent, young Bayhawks against a squad that scored 67 points a week earlier — in Friday Harbor’s win over La Conner.
As founder and still president of Bellingham Youth Football, which serves players in grades second through eight and is in its fifth year, Adam can’t get enough of his favorite sport. Leonard and his wife, former college volleyball star Stefanie, also have football-loving sons Ben, 13, and Nick, 10.
“I love it all,” Adam said of each and every one of his football activities.
Most of the players at Squalicum, Sehome and Bellingham have benefited from the fact that Adam literally saved football for many kids in Bellingham. Since 2006, he has served as director of recreation and wellness at Western Washington University, focusing on fun and fitness for a multitude of students.
“I founded Bellingham Youth Football (a member of North Cascades Youth Football) after the Boys and Girls Club gave up the game following the 2017 season,” Adam said.
“I just feel football is so important for many boys and some girls in grade school, we just had to keep it. I think it’s the ultimate team sport,“ he said. “The game just teaches so much in how to handle adversity, how to cooperate and be a team player, and so much more. It teaches emotional and physical toughness.”
Life figures to get more complicated when the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Josh moves on to college football. With a county-leading 13 touchdown passes and more than 1,000 yards in Squalicum’s first seven games, he has shown the potential to play beyond high school.
“I definitely want to play at a college that’s the right fit,” said Josh. “I’ve always loved the game. I want to stick to playing quarterback.”
Right now, though, Josh thinking only of the challenge of beating an improving Sehome team. If the Storm (4-3 overall, 3-2 NWC) can beat both the Mariners (4-3, 2-3) and then Sedro-Woolley (5-2, 3-2) in Week 9, Squalicum would earn its seventh state playoff berth in eight possible chances for coach Nick Lucey (the short winter 2021 season did not include playoffs).
But if all three teams finish 4-3 in the league, a mini-playoff will be needed early in Week 10 for the league’s third state spot. Defending state champion Lynden and vastly improved Anacortes, both unbeaten, have already clinched the first two berths and will play for the league title in Week 9.
“Dad can be a fan but when I need him to be, he can be a coach for me,” Josh said. “He’s always very supportive. If I’m down he can pick me up and really motivate me. I feel very lucky.”
Josh also says he feels closer than ever to his Storm teammates.
“Josh is a joy to coach,” Lucey said. “He genuinely wants to be the best he can. He shows up every day at practice with his hard hat and lunch pail. Josh’s growth over the last year is a testament to how much he loves the game and working at his craft.”
The Leonards know from youth football how competitive Sehome can be, especially because they are well aware that freshman quarterback Nolan Wright and sophomore wide receiver Andre Watson are among the best young athletes in the league. Running back/linebacker Tommy Funk is one of the finest seniors.
“I always say if you want your child to be good in other sports, have them play football at least through eighth grade,“ said Adam, who loves to see football players participate in multiple sports. He played basketball, baseball and football at Valley High in Las Vegas and he played basketball and baseball on scholarship at the University of Puget Sound when it was an NAIA school in the late 1990s. Lopez High graduate Stefanie, who was a four-year starter at UPS and three-time first-team all-conference volleyball player, was known as Stefanie Anderson when she and Adam met in college.
“I think Josh (who is a fine pocket passer) will grow a couple more inches. Josh has surpassed my expectations this season,” said Adam, praising how well Lucey and his staff have brought him along in his first full season as a starter. “He has a quick release and can throw the ball 60 yards.”
Adam will never coach against Josh, since the Bayhawks will remain an independent in 2023. He has about 60 players in his varsity/junior varsity program and hopes Bellingham (2-5) eventually will be competitive enough to rejoin the NWC 2A ranks in football. The Bayhawks play in the league in other sports.
“I think it would be fun to play against Dad,” Josh said.
That was no surprise. After all, Adam did point out that his entire family “is incredibly competitive.”
WEEK EIGHT
Friday, Oct. 21
Squalicum vs. Sehome at Civic Stadium,7 p.m.
Lakewood at Lynden, 7 p.m.
Ferndale at Stanwood, 7 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Blaine, 7 p.m.
Mount Baker at Meridian, 7 p.m.
Lummi at Concrete, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22
Bellingham vs. Friday Harbor at Civic Stadium, 1 p.m.
Bye — Nooksack Valley (Rainier canceled non-league game)
