Ward set for All-Star game

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, June 23, 2004

For the second consecutive year, the Oak Harbor football team has a representative set to play in the state’s most prestigious football game for graduating seniors.

Blake Ward becomes the fourth Wildcat in the last five years to be asked to participate in the annual East-West All-Star Football Game, which begins at 1 p.m., this Saturday, June 26, at Everett Memorial Stadium.

2003 OHHS graduates Chad Asmus and Grant Bull were the last to play in the game.

Ward, who has been at practice all week, was unavailable for comment on the experience, but father and high school coach Dave Ward spoke recently on his behalf.

“It’s nice that he has the East-West game left,” he said. “It’s a great reward to the season he had.”

Ward set a school record for touchdowns in a season with 23 at the fullback position, while scoring another school record 200 points in a season. Along with starting at middle linebacker, he also handled all of the kicking and punting duties for the Wildcats, as they advanced to their second straight state tournament.

Dave Ward, who was a coach on last year’s West team, was not sure as to which position Blake would play on Saturday, but said it’s likely he could see a little time on both sides of the ball, as well as handling some of the kicking duties.

This will be the last prep game for Ward, who will walk on to Central Washington University next fall and likely redshirt his freshman year.