Mason twins will lead Golden Eagles at state game Friday at Civic Stadium
When Jordan Mason begins to make good money in his chosen career soon out of high school, he will still have football in the form of his twin brother Jake.
“I’m Jake’s biggest fan!” Jordan says with an exclamation point that almost seems visible.
Ferndale’s inspiring three-year starters fervently hope to play together longer than one more game, now that the Class 3A state tournament has begun with a round of 32 teams.
The twins have achieved one cherished team goal: a state home game. The Wesco champion Golden Eagles (7-2) will open against Seattle Prep (4-4-1) Friday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. at Civic Stadium.
But it won’t be long before Jake begins his college football career at the same time Jordan starts to learn his trade as a welder at a tech school.
Jordan, an honor student like Jake, says he simply isn’t cut out for studies at a university.
“I want to make money right out of school, instead of paying money to attend a university,” Jordan said.
Jake wants to “make money” too — in the form of a football scholarship.
“I definitely want to play in college,” Jake said. “I will find a place to play. I’m grateful to have one (Division I) offer, from Eastern Washington University, though I will consider all offers. I just got offered a PWO (preferred walk-on) by University of Washington and Washington State University.”
Such walk-on offers give athletes a chance to earn both a scholarship and playing time.
Jake, a stellar defensive end/offensive tackle, may well be good enough to play college baseball as well, with a two-season pitching record of 11-1 and a career batting average not far from .400 as an infielder.
“It’s definitely going to be football,” the muscular 6-foot-3, 240-pound sack specialist said.
His senior season sack total is 12 and his Whatcom County career record is 33 in the first nine games, according to historian Tyler Anderson, whom Jake said “absolutely thrilled” him when informed he had broken the sack record with four in the fourth game. The former record of 27 was credited to Meridian’s Steve Bernardy 26 years ago, according to Anderson.
Jordan, a 6-2, 225-pound athlete who is also productive in both sports, has his own stats to kid Jake about.
“Yeah, Jordan has three home runs on the varsity and one touchdown,” Jake said. “I don’t have any of either. I was the first one to congratulate him after he scored against Lynden. “
“We are very close,” Jordan said.
Jake might still score on defense, where he is as effective as anyone in the county. But Jordan was switched from guard to tight end this season and scored against Lynden in his first game as a senior.
“I’m there for blocking. I really love to work hard for my teammates,” Jordan said, noting that Ferndale is primarily a running team with senior college prospect Isaiah Carlson and sophomore standout Zach Nielsen, along with quarterback Bishop Ootsie.
What kind of mental toughness do the brothers have?
“When COVID closed down the schools (in March 2020) and canceled the baseball season, we found home gyms to work out in,” Jake says of himself, Jordan and UW-bound center Landen Hatchett, among others.
“I put on 40 pounds (of muscle, of course) in the time school was closed, until we began in to play football again,” Jake said, referring to an abbreviated six-game season in February and March 2021.
“Jake plays with unbelievable energy,” said longtime Ferndale coach Jamie Plenkovich. “He’s been a game-wrecker in all phases. Jake is a co-captain and a tireless worker. He’s what you want a leader to be. He leads by example.”
The brothers said they will always remember Jake Locker’s help. Locker, a high school All-American quarterback who started at UW and for the Tennessee Titans, led Ferndale to the state 3A title in 2005, when the Mason twins weren’t yet two years old.
“I was super thankful for Jake’s help, advice and encouragement,” Jake Mason said, speaking for Jordan as well. “We’re fortunate to have him as a family friend. That guy is just awesome.”
Plenkovich says Jordan is remarkable in his own right. “He is a selfless guy who will play anywhere he’s asked. On defense, Jordan can play inside and outside linebacker and defensive end. He’s a critical role player — he’s our utility player and starts on defense as well as tight end.”
The fraternal twins are the sons of Darrel Mason and Alison Mason.
“Mom was an outstanding athlete at Ferndale and dad umpires college baseball games,” Jordan said. “During the umpires’ strike, dad got the chance to call several Major League games, including one when Cal Ripken was on his (record-breaking) consecutive game-playing streak.”
The twins felt their biggest thrill in the first eight games was holding explosive, previously unbeaten Stanwood to a season point low in Ferndale’s 28-7 win in the Wesco North title game. Then the Golden Eagles defeated previously unbeaten South champion Monroe 34-28 for the overall 3A title.
“Those were our best overall games,” said Jake. “We were really locked in all week.”
The twins said it was even more exciting to see the Golden Eagles play well in KING-5’s Game of the Week against Stanwood.
Jake is interested in teaching and coaching. Jordan also says coaching appeals to him.
The twins starred for Ferndale’s Cal Ripken League World Series championship team when they were 12. Now they’re hoping for another huge tournament memory.
“We just feel super blessed to have played all these years together in all our sports,” Jordan said.
WEEK 10
Thursday
NWC 1A Kansas Tiebreaker at Blaine, 5:30 p.m. Mount Baker will meet Nooksack Valley first, with the winner going to state and the loser playing Lynden Christian for the second and final NWC state spot.
Friday
Sehome vs. Cascade at Civic Stadium, 5 p.m.
Ferndale vs. Seattle Prep in 3A state round of 32 at Civic Stadium, 8 p.m.
Cedar Park Christian at Blaine, 7 p.m.
Meridian at South Whidbey, 7 p.m. (could be switched to Thursday)
Bellingham at Sultan, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Squalicum vs. opponent to be determined.
Bye
Lynden (to open 2A state in Week 11).
