PORT TOWNSEND — A groundswell of community support pulled Nick Snyder, a former Port Townsend football star and successful head coach of the Redskins/Redhawks in two separate stints, out of Idaho and back home for a third job.
Snyder, 58, is once again a head coach, now leading the East Jefferson Rivals football team after his hire was approved in June ending a Yo-Yo coaching search.
“You always feel the pull [to coach],” Snyder said Thursday after the first of two practices that day.
After a two-year stretch as head coach in 2000-01 that saw Port Townsend go 15-6 with a state playoff appearance, Snyder took over in 2012 with Port Townsend on a 19-game losing streak and lacking a junior high program.
Under his watch, Snyder rebuilt the foundering Redhawks into a perennial playoff contender, racking up a 28-13 overall record in four seasons with three playoff appearances and two Olympic League 1A Division titles.
Snyder didn’t rule out a comeback when he stepped down in 2016 at age 50. Indeed, while living and working in Rexburg, Idaho, Snyder was drawn back to the game and coached at a 5A school.
“I kept getting drawn back to Washington,” Snyder said. “So for this football season I’m staying in a 36-foot RV at my daughter’s house, but we plan to sell our house in Idaho and move back full time.”
Snyder said he’s seen a pretty consistent turnout of about 35 kids since practices started.
“There’s 39 signed up, but I haven’t seen two or three of them yet,” Snyder said. “We are working on instilling the dedication and committment that we need. That’s probably the biggest hurdle. If there’s 35 guys on the team, we need all 35 guys at practice.”
East Jefferson has struggled in recent seasons, going 1-17 overall in 2023 and 2024, but there’s talent on this roster, according to Snyder.
Senior Jameson Henery has been a stalwart for the Rivals since his freshman season and is an All-Nisqually League punter and placekicker.
“Running back and strong safety,” Snyder said of where else you will see Henery. “[I like] everything about him. Has a tremendous attitude and heart. Work ethic. He’s both a North-South [runner] and he can juke and jive and in short yardage and put his shoulder down.”
Junior Alex Garcia was a second-team All-Nisqually selection in 2024, and will play at running back and linebacker.
“Alex Garcia has great hands, runs hard with great pad level,” Snyder said. “He’s a sure handed receiver, he and Jameson will be a tough tandem. He’ll also play inside linebacker in our 3-4 alignment and he’s probably 200 pounds.
Sophomore Luke O’Hara is 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds and was an all-league pick at tight end as a freshman. He’ll also play defensive end.
“I heard great things about him and everything they have said is true,” Snyder said.
“He and [junior] Jackson Dupuy are our best receivers. Jackson has a lot of talent, he had a great offseason working in the weight room and is pretty good size now. He’ll play at cornerback and be our X [outside] receiver.”
Junior quarterback Silas Morford has made strides in his maturity level, Snyder said.
“It’s really come along, just in the couple of months that I’ve had him,” Snyder said. “Silas is a lefty with good release and he can run the ball. And he’s not like a lot of other QBs, he’s not afraid to stuff it up in there.”
Senior center Noah Cervantes was an all-league pick in 2024 and Snyder said Isaac Stuart, a 2024 starter, will be at guard, with Charlie Sweitzer/Cody Richards at one tackle and Ethan Perovich at the other tackle position.
“Moose [Stuart], he’s really come along, he’s big and strong, bench presses almost 300 pounds. We are happy with him. And Ethan, he might be the hardest worker on the team.”
Tyler Martin will plug in at nose guard on defense with Anthony Holmes at the other corner position.
“There’s going to be some competition with these other guys get eligible,” Snyder said.
Snyder also has a large and talented freshmen class.
“Some of these kids are pushing to play as freshmen,” Snyder said.
“Trig Fountain, Dane Moore, Thomas Aumock, all of those guys can contribute.”
His coaching staff is a mix of former Port Townsend players including Arne Sather, a longtime PT assistant in the 1990s and 2000s, Josh Fountain and Gavin Rogers plus Chris Storm, a PT grad who served as head coach at Chimacum prior to the pandemic.
Rick Cadwell, Chimacum grad, was a teammate of Snyder’s on the Central Washington University football team at tight end.
He was a member of the 1989 Wildcat football team who finished as an NAIA National Semi-Finalist and was honorary head coach of the Crimson team at the Central spring football game in 2023.
East Jefferson Rivals
• Head coach: Nick Snyder, first season. 43-19 as head coach in six seasons in Port Townsend.
• Last Season: 1-5 Nisqually League, 1-8 overall.
• Key Returners: Luke O’Hara (TE/WR/DE, So.); Jameson Henery (RB/SS, Sr.); Isaac Stuart (OL/DL, Jr.); Alex Garcia (RB/LB, Jr.); Noah Cervantes (OL/DL, Sr.); Ethan Perovich (OL/LB, Jr.); Jackson Dupuy (WR/DB, Jr.); Silas Morford (QB/DB, Jr.);
• Newcomers: Snyder is enthusiastic about the large freshman class. Members include Trig Fountain, the likely quarterback of the future and Dane Moore. Both players are the sons of former Port Townsend standouts.
• Strengths: Good size along the line and big running backs will lead East Jefferson’s Pistol-Wing T offense.
• Outlook: There’s talent on this roster but the Rivals have to learn what consistent effort and performance can yield.
“I think we have to buy into the program first with our committment, dedication and belief,” Snyder said. “If we can get that down I think we can be a good football team.”
• Schedule: Sept. 5: Granite Falls, 7 p.m.; Sept. 12: Friday Harbor, 5 p.m.; Sept. 20: at Cascade Christian, 7 p.m.; Sept. 26: Life Christian, 7 p.m.; Oct. 3: at Klahowya, 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 10: Annie Wright, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17: Bellevue Christian, 7 p.m.; Oct. 31: at Vashon Island, 7 p.m.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@peninsuladaily news.com.
