SEATTLE – Carefully avoiding any sort of hyperbole, it would not be inaccurate to say that the Bainbridge High School varsity football team was absolutely crushed in their away game against Bishop Blanchet Saturday, Oct. 5.
The score was 75-0 Blanchet.
“They jumped us from the start,” said Spartan Head Coach Andy Grimm. “We were overwhelmed physically at the line of scrimmage. We were getting knocked off our feet all over the place.”
The loss was not entirely unexpected. Blanchet is currently one of the top-ranked #A teams in the state and is playing this year with an exceptional squad.
“They came in ranked nine or 10 in the state,” Grimm said.
“They’re a pretty legitimate squad,” he said. “They’ve got some kids now and they’re going out and recruiting pretty hard and the coaches do a really great job.”
None of that makes it any easier for the Spartans or their fans. Until now the boys had played consistently this year, losing ground early only to mount a small comeback later in the game. It just didn’t happen this time. The game against Blanchet was their first shutout loss of the season.
“We preach every week that win or lose, wherever we’re at, you either celebrate what happened if you win or reflect on what happened that friday night,” Grimm said. “Then you start figuring out what we have to work on. By Monday you have to be going. So much in football is being prepared.”
Grimm went on to praise the team’s resilience and positive attitude, despite the disappointing game.
“The kids didn’t quit,” he said proudly. “We just tweaked a few things and gave it a shot in the second half.”
Quarterback Connor Teddy managed only six completions in 21 attempts throughout the game and passed a total of 128 yards with one interception.
The Spartans’ rushing efforts were unable to break much ground against Blanchet.
Taylor Wilson led the pack with nine carries in three yards. Connor Teddy also played well with six carries in five yards. Casey Brink managed four carries in one yard and Sam Wysong racked up two carries in six yards.
The boys did slightly better when it came to receiving.
Paris Amore managed two receptions in 18 yards, Duncan McCombs had one reception in 33 yards. Casey Brink successfully managed two receptions in 70 yards and Kyle Jackson completed one reception in seven yards.
Grimm noted the positive life lessons that can be learned through the game of football, even if you lose.
“It’s about how you respond to adversity and to me that’s a life skill,” he said. “How do you come out in practice and how do you come out in the game next week?”
“They’re a resilient group,” Grimm added. “It wasn’t head down or ‘woe is me.’ They’re hungry. They’re ready to win and they haven’t had that yet this season and you want that, as a coach, for them.”
Leading the defensive team was Jarett Grimm with nine unassisted tackles. Casey Brink and Mitchell Stahl tied for second-best, managing four unassisted tackles each. Ryan Eaton successfully racked up three unassisted tackles, one of which was the only Spartan sack of the game.
With the Bainbridge homecoming game against Seattle Prep scheduled for this Friday, the Spartans have no time to dwell on the defeat, a fact that Grimm knows all too well.
“When the kids walk in the door Monday you have to be talking about whoever you’ve got that week,” he said. “What I’m processing on the way home is how to get them ready for next week.”
The Spartans’ homecoming game is 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11.
