
The Vashon Island High School (VHS) Pirates football team started their season, and shows promise because of their many new players. With 28 players—the majority being underclassmen—the team may seem small from an outside point of view, but the team’s spirit and dedication makes up for what their numbers lack. The team’s head coach Brian Banducci is very adamant about the team’s strength.
“This year is a foundational year…that will help us reach new heights in upcoming years,” Banducci said.
There is no doubt that their foundation is strong, but it begs the question, how high have the Vashon Pirates climbed in the past? The football team had humble beginnings, starting some time in the 1930s. The team then rose to success, starting with an undefeated football season in ‘59. They then continued this winning streak, winning the league championship of the same year. They became Olympic “A” league champions in the years ‘64, ‘66’, ‘67’, ‘69’. During this period, the Pirates were coached by legends such as Bud Snaza, Russ Brazil, and Bob Cannell. Caleb Smith, a former Pirate Player who graduated in ‘95, reflects on their coaching.
“They helped bring kids together from different backgrounds and situations, and made them believe in themselves and work together,” Smith explained.
All through the 1960’s, the team had around 40 players, who all came together to win VHS multiple titles. The program was very strong during this time, with a Vashon Youth Football program introducing players to the sport from a young age. Unfortunately this program was put on hiatus in 2010, and has yet to re-emerge.
“You can’t really have a long term successful program without a youth program. You’ve got to start introducing football to kids to get them to fall in love with it,” Smith commented.
The current team is looking to improve the program's future, and foster leadership within the younger players by rotating game captains week to week, as well as having two permanent captains (Senior Logan Connor and Junior Tallis Sullivan).
“We have some strong leadership this year, and very committed players, [there’s] an opportunity to really build and grow as a program,” Banducci said.
Football is a sport that relies on teamwork, and being able to solve problems on the fly. As the players put in effort to create strategies and improve on plays, we have already seen the team grow together.
“Football is a sport that can help give you direction. It’s not about winning or losing; it’s about bringing people challenges but fighting through that with your teammates, and working together to achieve a common goal,” Smith explained.
The team is made up of many different people with different values, as you can see from the team coming together this year despite their age differences. It brings people together from many different backgrounds, and teaches life lessons to players.
“[T]he community needs to see the value in it,” Smith urges.
As insinuated by Smith, a common factor in the Pirates winning years is the community's support. From the community raising money to buy lights for the highschool field in ‘48 leading to their undefeated ‘59 season, to organizing a banquet for beloved Bud Snaza retiring in ‘60 after multiple years of winning championships, the Pirates reach their heights when readers like you bring support. As the Pirates set sail on this promising season, the community must join together to support them.