GALLERY: Basin gridiron action coming soon
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 months, 4 weeks AGO
Mavs quarterback Brady Jay, left, listens to his coach Brett Jay, right, as they begin their first practice of the 2025 season. Brady is the Mavericks starting quarterback and will be attending Montana State starting in the fall of 2026.
MIKE MAYNARD/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
The Broncos football team goes through warmups on the first day of fall practice. The team took to the field with energy and excitement for a new season to begin.
Mavs wide receiver, right, runs a route against his teammate during the Mavericks first practice of the 2025 season. The Mavs held two practices on August 20 with dinner in between.
Broncos Head Coach Brenden Bermea leads his team through their first drills of the fall 2025 season. Players went through the basic fundamentals of tackling.
Tigers players work on a defensive line drill during the second day of practice in preparation for the upcoming season.
Ephrata Head Coach Patrick Mitchel works with a group of players for running drills during their second day of practice.
MOSES LAKE – On Wednesday, local football teams returned to the gridiron for practice. As they prepare for the upcoming season, players hit the field to shake any rust off and dust off the pads.
Our annual Gridiron Guide publication is right around the corner. Pick up a copy of the Columbia Basin Herald on Friday, August 29 for a look at the upcoming high school football season.
The Broncos football team goes through warmups on the first day of fall practice. The team took to the field with energy and excitement for a new season to begin.
Mavs wide receiver, right, runs a route against his teammate during the Mavericks first practice of the 2025 season. The Mavs held two practices on August 20 with dinner in between.
Broncos Head Coach Brenden Bermea leads his team through their first drills of the fall 2025 season. Players went through the basic fundamentals of tackling.
Tigers players work on a defensive line drill during the second day of practice in preparation for the upcoming season.
Ephrata Head Coach Patrick Mitchel works with a group of players for running drills during their second day of practice.ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
Sushik comes full circle ahead of first season at BBCC
MOSES LAKE — The next step in Liana Sushik’s athletic journey has led her to play for the Big Bend Community College Vikings volleyball team this fall after a successful career with the Soap Lake Eagles. Joining the Vikings is something she feels has deepened her love for the sport, she said. “I fell in love with the fact that there’s more than just high school volleyball; there’s another level,” said Sushik. “It’s like a whole new chapter and I’m so excited to see what I have next because there’s a lot that I’ve been through to get here.” Despite her success on the court, Sushik said she didn’t initially start out as an athlete.
Building a community at Desert City Fitness
EPHRATA — The city of Ephrata welcomed its newest athletic club earlier this summer with Desert City Fitness setting up along Basin Street. Since their grand opening June 6, the club has worked to become a strong contributor to the community in Ephrata. “We just opened our doors and whoever comes in, that’s how we do it,” said Bryan Boney, owner of Desert City Fitness. Boney, who owns the club alongside his wife Tracy Fillion, decided to open Desert City Fitness to keep himself active after retiring six years ago. Boney said he has invested all his money from retirement into purchasing the property, remodeling and getting the equipment necessary to open his fitness center.
Grid Kids expands opportunities this season
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Grid Kids football program is gearing up for the start of its 26th football season this fall. This year, alongside their tackle football program, the Grid Kids have expanded their flag football options. “It’s one of those things that you just don’t really know how well it’s going to go, but right now we’re looking pretty strong,” said Brian Gwinn, the Gird Kids administrator and communications contact. The tackle opportunities remain the same for third through sixth grade with third and fourth graders playing together and fifth and sixth graders separately from the younger players. The format for third and fourth grade will remain at a regular 11-man game, but for fifth and sixth grade there is consideration for moving down to an eight-on-eight format.