Family, chemistry important for BHS football this summer

By Nicholas Zeller-Singh Bainbridge Island Review • June 30, 2023 1:30 am

The name of the game is football, but talking to the coaches it sounds more like home ec and science.

The players are talking more about being a family and being less confused.

“We have a good foundation of the cake,” Bainbridge High School coach Dan Schoonmaker said. “We have the flour and sugar right now, and now we’re putting on the frosting and sweet stuff.”

The team finished a three-day summer camp June 29 at its high school. The Spartans played kickball, had a barbecue and spent time getting to know each other. In addition, Schoonmaker added some tricks to the new playbook.

The Spartans have not been as active in showcasing their skills at 7 on 7 tournaments, linemen camps and scrimmages this summer as some other teams.

“We didn’t go out this year for a few reasons but it has been a good opportunity to build team chemistry through different events and had special guests talk to the team about values,” assistant coach Quintin Schoonmaker said. “I feel like we are ahead of where we thought we would be, and we are leaving every day with steps in the right direction.”

The Spartans have over 60 students signed up and around 50 participating in the summer practices. A few have stood out as captains for the upcoming season. Linebacker and running back Garrett Goade was awarded one of the four varsity captain spots on the final day of the camp.

“I’m very grateful,” Goade said. “I have worked for it, shown my leadership and shown I can be responsible.” Goade added the coaches know how to build a family atmosphere. “This team has gotten closer as a family every day,” he said. “Even though we are a couple of weeks in, we are taking giant leaps forward and getting better by the day.”

Quarterback Jack Grant believes the new coaches have brought “a big difference because guys are a lot less confused. We have some great athletes out here, and now they know what they are doing.”

The Spartans will begin to showcase their talent more soon with a 7 on 7 tournament at Port Angeles next week and a Blue vs. Gold scrimmage toward the end of the month.