NEWS
Vashon Island Big Man Close to His Dreams
by Dirk Knudsen
Posted on: Prep Football News
One of the most pristine and beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest is Vashon Island. The bucolic community just a few miles West of Seattle by boat or ferry is home to small organic farms. Many Seattle commuters live here who make the choice to live in a world of their own.
On the Island they have it all. Coffee, Stores and shops, and a happening art scene. They also have a local feed store just like you might find in Anytown, USA back in 1950.
And in that feed store packing 80 pound sacks of grain and feed is one local High School Football player. He is big and has a raw talent. Good for use at the store and on the field.
Dirk Knudsen; Washingtonpreps.com
Vashon Islands Hamzah Griffin
Hamzah Griffin is known as a tough nosed athlete that likes to mix it up.
The 6'4", 235 pound defensive end has been mixing it up on the grid iron since 6th grade.
"I love rushing the passer. Even better when I get to them which is what I am always thinking about," says the Senior to be.
He is coming off of a First Team All League and First Team All State Season. This promises to be a special year for him.
Colleges are looking too. His size and agility an obvious thing. Griffin showed up at a couple camps and clinics. He looked good at both.
His team runs a 5-2 and or a 4-3 Defense and he does not mind either. He is used a run stuffer, for outside containment, and for speed rushing the passer off the edge.
A small school Vashon plays perennial powerhouse Cascade Christian and matched them last year for the League Championship.
He played well but the team came up short.
Cascade went on to win it all. Something he would like to do this year.
"We have some legitimate guys this year and would love to advance beat CC and go deeper into the playoffs. I think we can," he added.
Playing in a small school and being talented means playing up to twice as many downs that a bigger school player will. There are just not enough guys to go around.
Griffin plays Tight End and Defensive End and does not come out much. That is fine by him.
"We are in better shape and better condition. That much I know. But we have to watch our health. So far I have been healthy."
As far as recruiting he is hearing from a lot of smaller schools and a few of the bigs too. He has no doubt that if he played at a bigger school in a higher level his path to college would be much easier.
But he would not trade it.
"This is my home and my guys. So no I would never trade it. Someday I hope to play in College. Right now the season is close so I am all about the team," he concluded.
Vashon Island High is a beautiful Campus and a great place to watch football.
If you get the chance head out on the Ferry and catch a game and grab some supplies for the pets at the feed store on your way.