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'There's nothing like football': Webb is a Bulldog at heart

by DYLAN GREENE
Sports Editor | November 24, 2020 1:00 AM

Editor’s note: This is a series dedicated to highlighting local senior athletes.

SANDPOINT — Ten days ago, Isaac Webb’s football career at SHS came to a close in the state semifinals.

It was at the conclusion of that game, his mom, Samantha Wasylko, said that Isaac started to realize it was all over.

“I think it hit him really hard at the end of the Skyline game,” she said. “He took a moment to get off the field and embraced Ryan [Knowles] and kind of took it in ... and I think that long bus ride gave him time to reflect.”

Isaac started playing football in the third grade. His family doesn’t have a deep tradition with the sport like most, but his friends got him interested in it and he’s stuck with it ever since.

“It’s something I’ve always enjoyed,” he said. “I just love football.”

Wasylko said she could tell Isaac was in it for the long haul when he attended an intense three-day football camp the summer following his third grade year.

“He came off that field and he just had the biggest smile on his face,” she said, “and he was like, ‘I want to do it, I want to do it,’ and he just knew. It just clicked with him.”

From the start, Isaac was attached to the defensive line and the past two years he served as Sandpoint’s sack specialist at weakside linebacker.

He earned all-league honors as a senior and a junior and tallied 63 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks and one forced fumble this past season.

Isaac said he enjoys making tackles and there’s nothing better than bending around the corner and drilling the quarterback.

“It’s the most satisfying feeling in the world,” he said. “I love it.”

Isaac has played lacrosse for most of his life and he is currently preparing for the wrestling season, but they simply don’t compare to his passion for the gridiron.

“There’s nothing like football,” he said.

Wasylko said helping the team and his teammates reach their full potential is what’s driven Isaac over the years.

Isaac said this was his favorite season by far because of the hardships the Bulldogs overcame. They also accomplished Isaac’s main goal of beating Moscow not once, but twice.

It was truly a storybook ending and Wasylko said they felt blessed that Isaac even got to take the field this fall and she cherished every game he got this season.

Isaac was one of four team captains for Sandpoint in 2020. Wasylko said she recently asked her son if he ever imagined having that honor bestowed upon him as a senior when he first started playing and Isaac told her, “I didn’t know I’d make the team.”

Isaac is also an avid fisherman, something that he gets from his father, Justin Webb. Isaac said the biggest fish he’s ever caught is a 35-inch pike he pulled out of Lake Pend Oreille.

Justin said Isaac applies the same passion and dedication he has on the football field to everything he does.

Justin said Isaac has always had a strong work ethic, but football furthered his commitment level.

“Every coach that he has ever had has made comments to me about how much they love having Isaac there because he is so coachable,” Justin said.

Football has taught Isaac countless life lessons, Justin said.

“I think he’s come to realize what it means to be a team player,” he said, “and I’m really excited for how that will carry into his adult life and whatever he chooses to do for a career.”

Speaking of that, Isaac is hoping to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fisheries biology and then get a job working for Idaho Fish and Game close to home. He hasn’t decided what university he wants to attend and is keeping his options open.

Wasylko said Isaac may have not played his last down in football.

Justin said he can count on one hand how many of Isaac’s games he has missed over the years.

“It’s been a huge part of my life and I’m somewhat heartbroken to be honest that his football career, at least for high school, has come to an end,” he said.

Wasylko said it’s been amazing to watch Isaac grow up during his football journey.

“To see the bonds that he has formed with his good friends that he’s played with through the years, that for me has been the most exciting thing because that’s something that is going to last forever,” she said. “We’ve tried to go to every single one of his games. We know that time is limited, so we tried to be at all of them.”

Justin and Wasylko said they couldn’t be prouder of their son.

“I’ve never been more proud of anything in my life than I am of him,” Justin said.

Isaac said his parents have always been there for him and their support has meant the world to him.

Wasylko said Isaac can be hard on himself, but he’s a phenomenal athlete and student.

“He is such a great young man,” she said. “He is a good friend and he’s kind, caring and passionate. “He’s really had to work to get to where he is.”

Justin said Isaac puts his heart into everything and he isn’t afraid to chase his dreams.

“It’s just been a blessing for me to get to be there and watch him progress through the years,” he said. “I’m really excited to see where he goes from here.”