Orcas add offensive firepower to defensive prowess


June 11, 2008 · Updated 4:26 PM 

  • 0
  • Print Story
  • Letter/Editor

"Todd Lewis makes his money during the week. But on Saturday, he is the money.Lewis, a 1989 Bremerton High School graduate, works in sales for a roofing company from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays. But on Saturday evenings, Lewis straps on the football pads for the West Sound Orcas, the first-year semipro football team, which plays at Bremerton Memorial Stadium.After a rocky start in the Orcas' May 27 opener, Lewis showed a crowd of about 800 spectators he can still shake and bake on the football field.Lewis made the Panthers - a team that was winless in Northwest Football League action in 1999, scoring just one touchdown all season - look like a Pee Wee team. He scampered 181 yards on 10 carries for four touchdowns as the Orcas routed the Panthers 31-0.Elkanah Montgomery, a 1999 South Kitsap grad, also had a strong night, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown run and rushing for 100 yards on 10 carries.The Orcas' defense, which scored two touchdowns in the season-opening win over King County, stifled the visitors, holding the Panthers to a negative 50 yards on 26 carries.Arnie Otterback, a 1998 SK grad, led the defensive assault at linebacker with six sacks.The Orcas, 2-0 in their inaugural season, play their next game Saturday, June 24 against the defending NWFL regular-season champion Snohomish County Vikings.Lewis' performance not only brought back flashes of his youth, but gave him the confidence that he can still play the game at 29 years of age.It's been more than 10 years now (since) the last time I played on this field, Lewis said. I stayed around here and this organization came. I was like, 'oh, God, I'm too old.'But Lewis decided to give it a shot, though he wasn't pleased with his first game.The first game (West Sound's 24-18 May 27 win over the King County Jaguars) I had cobwebs and didn't do that good, but this game I decided I was going to let it all out ... and I was fine, he said. After graduating from BHS, Lewis went to play at Wenatchee Valley College, but his appendix burst and he never went back to football, he said.Even at 29, Lewis has a glimmer of hope he could play special teams for the Seattle Seahawks or some other big-league football team.Yeah, maybe special teams somewhere, but that's about it, he said. I'll get this season under my belt and try out for the Seahawks special teams next year.But Lewis said he's content with his life right now.I work out every morning and just keep my life straight, he said. It's nice to have this league. I enjoy playing football and I didn't think I could do it that well. But still at 29 I'm doing it."

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.

blog comments powered by Disqus