Oct. 15, 2006
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
By Annie Runnels, WWU Sports Information Office
Two former high school teammates will literally go head-to-head on Saturday, Oct. 21, when Western Washington University junior outside linebacker Taylor Wade and Central Washington University senior offensive center Sam Himmelman face off at the fourth annual Wells Fargo Battle in Seattle for the Cascade Cup football game at Qwest Field.
Over the last two years, they've seen each other in four other contests involving the two arch-rivals, but this is the first time that they'll be on the field at the same time. That hasn't happened since middle school.
Wade, a walk-on at Western as a freshman, was a special teams player for the Vikings in 2004 and 2005. That kept him from going one-on-one with Himmelman, who has started the last 25 games for Central, earning all-league honors as a sophomore.
So, the years of smack talking are about to end.
"I am really excited about it and the fact that he is playing linebacker," said Himmelman, who has had the game day circled on his calendar. "I will be looking for No.40."
The feelings are mutual.
"It's going to be intense because after being on the same team, we want to see who has gotten better over the years," Wade said. "We finally get to battle against each other again."
The two played together at Kamiak High School. Wade was a second-team all-Western Conference choice as a senior at Kamiak, and Himmelman was a three-time all-league pick who received honorable mention all-State recognition as a senior.
Kamiak coach Dan Mack says both athletes were great role models to the underclassmen.
"I love both those kids," said Mack. "They displayed character and integrity. They were both talented players, but more importantly, they're good people."
The last time the pair faced one another was when Wade attended Olympic View and Himmelman went to Harbor Point, two middle schools which feed into Kamiak High.
It created some tension early on in high school, but it wasn't long before a lasting friendship developed.
This will be the first time that Himmelman has played against a former teammate.
"On the field, it's just one big battle for 60 minutes," he said. "What happens on the field stays on the field. It won't carry over to our personal lives or friendship."
Wade said Himmelman is a physical guy and he expects some hard hits, but he is ready to answer back.
"I'm sure there will be some extra pushing and shoving after the play is over, and maybe some smack talking," said Wade. "I'm basically going to know where he is at all times.
"I'm going to take every chance to hit him before he hits me."
Himmelman is glad to see Wade doing so well at Western.
"Taylor started out as second-string quarterback as a freshman (in high school), he got a lot stronger and faster and ended up playing tight end," he said. "I'm glad he stuck it out and played college ball so that we can go head-to-head again."
Years from now both of them will look back on this year's Battle in Seattle and each would like to reminisce about how his team won.
