By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
After forfeiting their first game versus Concrete due to lack of eligible players, the Tulalip Heritage Hawks football team officially started the 2025 season (0-1). That unceremonious L only made them hungrier for their first W when they hosted La Conner the following Saturday, September 13.
The Hawks made quick work of the Braves to the tune of a 56-12 shellacking in front of a raucous home crowd. That emphatic victory under Tulalip Bay’s bright lights wasn’t just the first win for the players, but also the first win for a revamped coaching staff.
Roaming the gameday sidelines and working with the boys every day at practice is offensive coordinator Timothy Greene, defensive coordinator Drew Hatch, D-line coach Quintin Yon-Wagner, O-line coach Joe Zackuse, wide receiver coach Staycee Robinson, special forces coach Matt Moses and trainer Melody Dumont. They are led by Heritage’s new head football coach Shawn Custis. Coach Custis previously coached within Archbishop Murphy’s football program before taking the helm at Heritage.
“I was extremely fortunate to be a part of Heritage’s football program’s rebuilding process,” said Coach Custis. “We had a lot of athletes that were ready to return with me joining the staff, so it’s been a relatively easy process. That, and we have a ton of new faces who are excited to come and play for us. I’m told we have the largest freshman class in school history.
“One of the most complimenting things as a head football coach is having enthusiastic adults step forward and want to join the program as assistant coaches,” he continued. “All of our coaches are imbedded firmly within the community and truly have our players best interest at heart. When we talk about support, you couldn’t have asked for a better coaching crew to guide these young men as we move forward in rebuilding the program.”
Moving forward is exactly what the Hawks did on the scoreboard, over and over again, when they ventured south to take on an inter-tribal rival, the Muckleshoot Kings, on Friday, September 19. It was a gorgeous summer day. The temp was close to 80 degrees at kickoff, which paled in comparison to the blaze of glory that ensued.
Starting on defense, the Hawks had no problem stifling the King’s rushing attack. After forcing a 3-and-out, junior J.J. Gray received Muckleshoot’s punt. He showed off his signature athleticism enroute to a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. J.J. then ran in a successful 2-point conversion. Hawks up 8-0.
On Muckleshoot’s next offensive play, they attempted a pass over the middle of the field that J.J., now playing safety, easily intercepted. He again took the sudden change of possession to the house for a TD, and ran in another 2-point conversion. Hawks up 16-0.
Muckleshoot tried desperately to get their run game going, but to no avail. Linebackers Peyton Hatch and James Jones led a Hawks defensive unit that clogged up all rushing lanes and gang tackled all Muckleshoot ball carriers after minimal gains. In fact, when Muckleshoot went for it a on a 4th and short from mid-field, Peyton and James both blitzed and got to the ballcarrier before he could even make it back to the line of scrimmage. Turnover forced.
Tulalip’s offense got the ball around the 50-yard line and just two plays later, quarterback J.J. corralled a batched snap and shook multiple Muckleshoot defenders as he ran untouched into the endzone. Wide receiver Jaedynn Zackuse then caught a perfectly lofted pass near the back pylon to convert a 2-point try. Hawks up 24-0.
Then, only a matter of plays later, now on defense and playing cornerback, Jaedynn intercepted a deep pass attempt by Muckleshoot. He managed to escape the initial takedown attempts by Muckleshoot and ran it back all the way to the 15-yard line before finally being dragged down by a King’s receiver. Hawks’ offensive took over in the RedZone. One play later, running back Ziggy Myles-Gilford scampered in a 15-yard touchdown. Hawks up 30-0.
During the intermission between 1st quarter and 2nd quarter play, Heritage’s newest D-line coach Quintin Yon-Wagner said, “We loved the effort from our kids. Since the opening kick-off, they’ve been playing all out and executing across all three phases. From a coach’s perspective, being up big allows us to sub in players who need all the in-game reps they can get in order to develop their skill set and become better players for us down the line. These are the opportunities that allow us to build up our depth for the big games come playoff time.”
Early in the second quarter, senior wide receiver Tokala Black Tomahawk had a 55-yard catch and score taken off the board due to a holding call. He still got his touchdown a few plays later, after he ran a perfectly timed fade route and caught a perfect spiral in the endzone. Hawks up 36-0.
If it isn’t clear yet that everything was going the Hawks’ way, then picture this. Midway through the 2nd quarter, the Hawks defense forces Muckleshoot to punt again. It’s a short punt that bounces well short of would-be punt returner, J.J. Gray. He shows extreme patience by letting the ball bounce multiple times before casually collecting it in the air and hitting the juke button on a diving Muckleshoot tackler. J.J.’s agility and elusiveness on full display, he avoids one tackler after another as he strolls into the endzone, one more time, on a 70-yard punt return. Hawks up 42-0.
Spoiler alert. The Hawks win big. How big? 70-0 BIG. It was a sight to behold. Tulalip’s cheerleaders kept the fans engaged with their chants and dances, while on the field, the 1st string players gave way to the 2nd string players who continued to pile on points.
After the game, Mr. Dynamic himself, J.J. Gray, clarified those pre-season Rez rumors about him not playing this year. “To be honest, I wasn’t planning on playing football. I was just going to focus on basketball, but then my teammates and coaches reached out to me and said how much they wanted me to play. I didn’t want to let them down,” admitted J.J., who is a shining example that peer pressure can be a positive thing.
Next up for the (2-1) Hawks is an away game versus another inter-tribal rival. This time versus the Lummi Blackhawks. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm on Friday, September 26, at Lummi.