The Bainbridge High School football season begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 on the road, in accordance with tradition, against the North Kitsap High School Vikings.
That, however, is where the traditions seem to end. Everything else about this year’s island team is novel.
The 2016 Spartan squad boasts a new coach, new strategies and a fresh roster swollen to nearly double the size of last year — 36 on the varsity squad alone. Team officials released the specifics earlier this week.
This year’s lineup boasts 16 seniors, seven of them returning starters, and 17 juniors, among them two returning starters.
The seniors are: Keegan Barnes-Grant, Brooks Coltrane, Marcus Clyde, Max Oden, Riley Dunn, Lyle Terry, Eric Jung, Nick Fleming, Michael Barrow, Alex Pickett, Ben McDonald, Jack Slattery, Sam Roth, Colin O’Keefe, Scott Musselwhite and Noah Sherris.
The juniors are: Christian Nonga, Jacob Hogger, Reece Quesada, Michael Greenwood, Nathan Eaton, Bergan Feerick, Ethan Peloquin, Liam Brumly, Nate Michaels, Kyle Bierly, Tai Smith, Arman Jaberi, Jakob Mathisen, Salon Rich, Ian Mathews, Will Hobbs and Konrad Brevinger.
Among the new players, coaches specifically named Clyde, Mathews, O’Keefe and Musselwhite as Spartans to watch.
Quarterback responsibilities will be split among Hogger, Barnes-Grant, Dunn and sophomore Gannon Winker.
The varsity squad’s other sophomores include Allen Griffiths and returning kicker Tanner Shattuck.
Though the action technically begins on the road, the Spartan football fiesta will truly begin prior to the start of the first home game on Friday, Sept. 9.
From 5 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Masonic Lodge (across from Bainbridge High School), team boosters will host an inaugural tailgate event for Spartan sports fans, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers and entertainment from the BHS band and cheer squad.
All attendees will also get a chance to win a Spartan spirit gift basket worth $100.
“This is an exciting time for Bainbridge Football,” said Spartan Head Coach Jeff Rouser. “We have all of the elements of a great football program — a talented group of players and senior leaders, strong athletes joining us from others sports, parent and community support and an amazing group of coaches, trainers and managers.
“We’re ready to play some football.”
Tickets are available for purchase at Cups Espresso (123 Bjune Drive). Advance tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students. At the gate, tickets will be $10 and $8. All proceeds benefit Spartan football. For more information, visit www.bainbridgefootballboosters.org or call 206-819-6164.
Big things are blooming on the horizon for the island program, said the new coach.
“As a coach and past opponent, I’ve always been impressed with the BHS team on the field execution,” Rouser said. “I want to be a positive influence for the kids on and off the field, work closely with the great resources in this community and generate enthusiasm for high school football on the island.”
Visit www.facebook.com/Bainbridge-Football-Boosters for more info about the season and schedule updates. Also, check www.bainbridgereview.com for the latest Spartan sports news, including timely postgame results postings and additional fall sports previews.
