North Mason selects Thomas as new football head coach
North Mason has a new head coach for football and it should be a familiar name for Bulldog fans.
Rob Thomas, who is head coach for baseball and bowling at the Belfair high school, is adding head football coach to his responsibilities. He replaces Thomas Mosby, who resigned after two seasons leading the program.
"I can't even put into words how excited I am to lead the Bulldogs," Thomas said. "We have all the pieces, now it's time to put it together. I am just overwhelmed with excitement and ready to get to work."
Thomas, who will be North Mason's fourth head coach since 2017, began coaching football at North Mason in 2014 after spending 20 years in the Navy. The 43-year-old's duties over the past eight seasons have included running backs coach, special teams coach, defensive coordinator and assistant-head coach. He currently works as food service director for North Mason School District.
"I look forward to carrying forward with established traditions and adding to them," Thomas said. "We will work hard to develop a physical football team that is dominant on both sides of the lines of scrimmage, has a dynamic-balanced offense, and a stout aggressive defense."
North Mason athletic director Lexi Hadfield said the school is excited at the opportunity to promote Thomas.
“Rob makes an ideal and qualified candidate and can transition from assistant-head coach to head coach," Hadfield said. "We felt that Coach Thomas has the experience, passion, vision, and the skillset necessary to move the program forward."
Mosby replaced Frank Hepler Jr. as North Mason's head coach in 2020, but never had a chance to coach a full season with the Bulldogs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. North Mason went 2-2 during a shortened season in the spring of 2021, then struggled to a 1-6 record this fall. The Bulldogs weren't able to play in Weeks 1 or 2 due to a high amount of positive test cases.
Klahowya claims bowling title
Klahowya's bowling team captured the Olympic League tournament title Thursday at All-Star Lanes. The Eagles finished with a total score of 2,893 after three regular games and four Baker games.
Joining Klahowya in moving onto districts were second-place Olympic (2,574) and third-place Bremerton (2,232).
Klahowya junior Lucy Mitchell won the individual title with a three-game score of 561. Junior teammate Hailey Johnson placed second with 507. Olympic senior Mackenzie Jamrog placed third (487), followed by Olympic senior Elizabeth Converse (430), Klahowya sophomore Jessica Hedahl (411) and Bremerton sophomore Lauren Rigby (406).
In the South Sound Conference 3A tournament, Central Kitsap's team placed second with a score of 2,775. Capital edged the Cougars for the title with a score of 2,816. In addition to Capital and Central Kitsap, River Ridge and North Thurston will advance to district competition.
Central Kitsap junior Maya Rae Casal placed second individually with a three-game score of 525. Capital senior Gabi Boyer won with a 605. Central Kitsap senior Autumn Yi placed sixth with a 467.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association revealed earlier this month the state bowling championships – held Feb. 3-5 at Narrows Plaza in University Place – will feature an adjusted schedule this year due to COVID-19 protocols.
Traditionally, the tournament is broken down by classification (4A, 3A and 2A/1A) and bowlers compete over multiple days. This year’s tournament will feature one classification in action per day: 3A on Feb. 3, 2A/1A on Feb. 4 and 4A on Feb. 5.
In the past, championships were determined by six regular games for individuals, plus 14 Baker games to determine team finishes. This year, the tournament is being reduced to four regular games for individuals, plus 10 Baker games to determine team finishes.
Klahowya placed third at state in 2020 in 2A/1A. There was no tournament in 2021.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: North Mason selects Thomas as new football head coach
