GALLERY: Basin gridiron practices continue through the weekend
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year AGO
Wahluke Warriors Quarterback Keaton Zirker, left, watching team drills during Friday's practice. Zirker is optimistic about the team's potential and has enjoyed the intensity they have brought to the new season.
MIKE MAYNARD/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors Quarterback Max Grindy, front, leads his teammates through drills during Thursday's practice. Grindy typically plays receiver but is filling in at QB while Caden Correia heals from an ankle injury.
Jacks Head Coach Seth Longwill coaches up one of his players during Saturday practice. Saturday was the first day teams were able to put on pads when hitting the field.
Knights Defensive Back Grant Wardenaar running through drills during Friday’s practice. Wardenaar is a returning junior for the Knights and said he is optimistic his team will continue their winning ways.
A player for Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant School works on his punting during practice. The Lions will be heading into their fourth season as a football program this fall.
Huskies football players work through pad drills during practice. They went 9-2 last season and will be looking to build off of that this season.
Eagles lineman work on get off drills with pads during practice. They finished last season 5-4 and ended with a 70-14 win over Bridgeport.
A Warden football player runs through cone drills during practice. The Cougars went 6-3 last season and will be under new Head Coach Brent Cox this fall.
MOSES LAKE – Since Wednesday, local football teams have returned to the gridiron for their first practices of the 2025 season. Over the weekend, some of the teams have been able to put the pads on and get into full swing for the upcoming season.
Our annual Gridiron Guide publication is right around the corner. Pick up a copy of the Columbia Basin Herald on Friday, Aug. 29, for a look at the upcoming high school football season.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors Quarterback Max Grindy, front, leads his teammates through drills during Thursday's practice. Grindy typically plays receiver but is filling in at QB while Caden Correia heals from an ankle injury.
Jacks Head Coach Seth Longwill coaches up one of his players during Saturday practice. Saturday was the first day teams were able to put on pads when hitting the field.
Knights Defensive Back Grant Wardenaar running through drills during Friday’s practice. Wardenaar is a returning junior for the Knights and said he is optimistic his team will continue their winning ways.
A player for Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant School works on his punting during practice. The Lions will be heading into their fourth season as a football program this fall.
Huskies football players work through pad drills during practice. They went 9-2 last season and will be looking to build off of that this season.
Eagles lineman work on get off drills with pads during practice. They finished last season 5-4 and ended with a 70-14 win over Bridgeport.
A Warden football player runs through cone drills during practice. The Cougars went 6-3 last season and will be under new Head Coach Brent Cox this fall.ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
Tigers Cross Country ready for their biggest season yet
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers Cross Country team is already hard at work to be in top shape for the 2026 season. With a strong group of returning runners alongside a solid group of new faces, the Tigers are eager to hit the ground running this year. “I’m feeling energized,” said Tigers Head Coach Lyndsy Roberts. “We’ve got a good group, one of the largest groups we’ve had in a long time.” The Tigers roster has over 50 athletes that have been participating in early season practices between the boys and girls, who Roberts said have all been mixing together well.
Lions set with smaller but strong squad
MOSES LAKE — Despite seeing a smaller roster this year, the Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions volleyball team is looking to build off their success from last season. With strong returners, the Lions are on track to stay competitive. “We lost some people, but we’ll be able to fill in, so that’ll be nice. Not quite at the numbers that we normally have, but we’ll make it work,” said Lions Head Coach Dean Spurbeck. The Lions concluded their 2025 season with a 10-8 record after battling through a tough Central Washington B League. MLCA entered into the postseason district tournament where they entered as the fourth seed and fell to the fifth seeded Pateros in the second round.
Huskies bring in senior experience for the coming season
OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies girls soccer team is preparing for another tough season in the Central Washington Athletic Conference. This year the Huskies are returning with an advantage as they bring back their full roster from last season. “We’re looking good; we’re trending in the right direction,” said Huskies Head Coach Victor Quiroz. “We’re bringing everybody back that we had last year on our varsity team, so we’re super excited. That makes it a lot easier going into the season.” Last season, the Huskies completed the regular season 6-9-1, which earned them a spot for the district tournament. Othello was eliminated in the first round of districts after a tight game against Prosser that ended in a shootout with a final score of 2-1.