HS & MS Fall sports off to a strong start

Cardinal Football

Waitsburg High School's football team won their first home game of the season, 36-26, against Sunnyside Christian on Friday, September 4.

The Cardinals went into halftime down 20-18.  Both teams scored a touchdown in the third quarter, and then the Cardinals shut down Sunnyside's offense in the fourth quarter while scoring 12 points to win the game.

Senior JJ Gleason had a great overall game rushing for 262 yards and scoring four touchdowns.  As quarterback, he threw for 174 yards including a pass to Uriah York for a touchdown. On defense, he contributed with 22 tackles.

Other highlights include Jake Lynch who rushed for 34 yards, scored a touchdown and had 12 tackles. York caught five passes for 161 yards and tackled 16, while Camdyn Vories and Alex Zuniga each recorded a quarterback sack.

The Cardinals will entertain Yakima Tribal on Friday, September 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Lady Cardinal Volleyball

Waitsburg volleyball coach Jamie Smit was happy with her team's performance in the opening match of the season at St. John on Tuesday, September 1.

"We lost in three, but they were close games.  As a team, we served 93%," said Smit.

In the 25-20, 25-19, 25-21 losses, Cheri Mathews served nine out of ten with two aces. Ellie Teal served 15/15, with three blocks and three aces. Jemma Anderson served 100% (7/7), as did Emerson Underwood (4/4), and Olivia Kiefel (9/9). Kiefel also had two blocks and an ace. Katy Allen served 5/6 and had two blocks, while the Cardinals' libero Joslin Nodine was credited with some great digs and saves. 

In the first home game of the season on Wednesday, September 2, the Cardinals lost to Colton, 25-17, 25-19, 25-13. Teal had two blocks, Anderson served 6/7, Allen served 8/8, and Nodine contributed with three digs.

The Lady Cardinals' next game will be Monday, September 14 at Oakesdale.

MS Football

Head middle school football coach Chris Andrews and his coaching staff want their student-athletes to learn how to be great teammates by working towards common goals and developing the foundational football skills needed to be successful at the high school level.

Karen Huwe

l-r: Owen Harvey, Forrest Cooper, Ryden Huxoll, Hudson Lynch, Nolan King, Roman Pellerin, Ethan Mahre, Luke Hillman. Not pictured are Oliver Harvey and David Sacha.

Andrews, Assistant Coach Gavin Waggoner, and volunteer coaches Dylan Swan and Zach Cooper expect their players to compete, work hard, and grow every day. They also want to help players grow into young men who work hard, are resilient when things get difficult, and willing to support those around them.

The young Cardinals will play their first game on Thursday, September 10, at Pomeroy with kickoff at 5 p.m. The first home game is scheduled for September 17 against Dayton at 4:30 p.m.

MS Volleyball

Head middle school volleyball coach Karen Huwe has eleven players practicing skills for their first game on September 21 at Dayton. Huwe is assisted by Stephanie Cole and volunteer coach Natasha Langford.

Kare Huwe

standing l-r: Adalin Acevedo, Oaklee Adams, Shylo Hedges, Arya Hillman, Ava McCaw, Haven Henry, Jaylynn Gleason, Emma Langford, and Rylee Cole. front row l-r: Manager Alyssa Cole, Kaylee Harrison, manager Avery Spring.

Three eighth graders, Jaylynn Gleason, Haven Henry and Ava McCaw, return from last year's team. Eighth grader Shylo Hedges joins the team as a first-year player. Adalin Acevedo, Oaklee Adams, Arya Hillman, Emma Langford and Rylee Cole are seventh graders. Kaylee Harrison and Olivia Long are the only sixth graders on the team.

"The girls are working hard developing the necessary skills needed to compete," said Huwe.

Come and meet the players at the Cardinal Kickoff on September 8 in the Waitsburg Elementary multi-purpose room at 6 p.m.