GALLERY: Basin gridiron practices continue through the weekend
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month 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
Knights win in overtime shootout against Naches
ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights girls soccer team (6-0-1) had a tight game against Naches Valley (5-1-1) Tuesday evening that came down to a penalty kick shootout that the Knights won 6-5. Though the game was ruled as a tie in official standings, winning the PKs brought excitement for the team. "We played hard and we never gave up," said Knights junior Sarah Bergeson who shot the final PK. "We're proud of us." The game was a defensive battle from the beginning with Naches making an early shot on goal that was stopped by Knights freshman goalkeeper Areli Romero. Following this, Royal gained possession of the ball and proceeded to apply pressure on the opposing goal for a majority of the half.
Knights fall in five-set match against Naches Valley
ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights volleyball team (0-6) had a tough battle at home against Naches Valley Tuesday night as they fell 3-2 in the five-set game. "The first two sets were definitely rough," said Knights senior Graycie Kast. "We didn't have a lot of energy starting off, but that third set, we got our energy back and just started having fun and the game just came to us." The Knights fell behind early in the first set as they struggled to score, giving Naches Valley an advantage. Royal began to find momentum as the set went on to cut into the deficit, but Naches Valley remained dominant on the court to win 25-12.
Tigers girls XC takes first at Apple Ridge
EPHRATA— The Ephrata Tigers had a successful day at the Apple Ridge Run Invite Saturday as the boys took third overall, while the girls took first out of 20 schools that competed. Tigers Head Coach Lyndsy Roberts said he was very proud of the way his athletes performed in the early season meet. "Our girls showed up and competed," said Roberts. "They didn't back down from the competition and proved they are going to be a team to watch this year. Winning this meet was a big step for the program." The Apple Ridge meet had a unique scoring format with three different race courses with two athletes scoring on each course, Roberts said. This gives a total of six scoring athletes rather than the traditional five.