By Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
Coming off their Week 1 victory over Franklin, first-year Garfield High School head football coach Curtis Wells Jr. was confident in his team’s ability to have a strong performance in their Metro League matchup against the Ballard Beavers. The Bulldogs, who entered the season with a much smaller roster than they had in previous seasons, saw an influx of players after their season-opening win and worked quickly to get them acclimated to the team’s new system under Wells and his coaching staff.
“The coaches got the kids coached up pretty well, so I’m feeling a lot more confident,” said Wells before the game. “We got a lot more kids that came out to the team since our win last week, the kids are feeling more confident as the coaches are showing them their role and getting them prepared.”
Ballard head football coach Malik Prince was also beaming with confidence before the game and was excited to see his team take the field against another great Metro League opponent. The Beavers, who suffered a tough loss to Ingraham last week, were looking to rebound and get their first win of the season.
“We feel good, we feel confident,” said Prince leading up to his matchup with the Bulldogs. “Garfield is a really good program throughout the years, and we’re excited to meet and exceed those expectations.”
Garfield receiver Jmitch Mitchell showcased his blazing speed early as he returned the opening kickoff 33 yards, which helped energize the Garfield faithful. Garfield quarterback Antoine Williams Jr. completed a quick pass to Mitchell for 9 yards on first down, followed by a run up the middle by Joe Hefa to move the chains and pick up a first down. However, the Bulldogs’ drive stalled after Williams was sacked by Ballard’s Dylan Olsby and Mateo Perpetua Valdez, leading to a Garfield punt and giving Ballard the ball deep at their own 17-yard line.
On their first play from scrimmage, Ballard quarterback Dylan Wallblom had a pass intended for receiver Zach Jamir intercepted by Garfield defensive back Zae Traxler, who returned it for a touchdown. This put the Bulldogs up 6-0 after a muffed hold by the holder Corde Frazier.
On the ensuing kickoff, Ballard kick returner Indro Sypher fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Garfield’s Dreson Watkins-Jimerson, giving the Bulldogs a second opportunity with the football late in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs continued to build momentum, as Jayden Roberts had a 20-yard run to inch them closer to the end zone. Roberts then picked up 15 more yards on a reception from Williams.
On a 3rd down play from the Ballard 17-yard line, Williams, under pressure from the Ballard defense, fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Beavers’ Tele Tu’ihalamaka, ending Garfield’s scoring threat.
The Beavers took advantage of the turnover as Wallblom connected with Zach Jamir on a 15-yard pass. A late roughing-the-passer penalty put the Beavers on Garfield’s 9-yard line, setting up a 9-yard touchdown run by Ballard’s Will Martin to give the Beavers a 7-6 lead as the 1st quarter wound down.
The problems continued to mount for the Bulldogs as the second quarter began. Ballard’s Wyatt Minear scooped up a backward pass by Williams and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 13-6 after an unsuccessful extra point attempt.
Garfield responded shortly after with a huge kick return by Mitchell, who returned it 57 yards to the Ballard 40-yard line.
Despite the return, Garfield’s offense stalled after Williams was sacked on 4th down by Ballard’s Zach Jamir.
The Beavers quickly countered as Wallblom connected with Eli Gebbie on a 40-yard pass play, setting Ballard up deep in Garfield territory. After pounding the ball up the middle a few times with running back Oliver Broadgate, Ballard scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Wallblom, making the game 20-6 after a successful point-after attempt.
Ballard’s defense, led by Will Martin, Wyatt Minear, and Austin Minear, made their presence known, forcing another three-and-out by the Bulldogs’ offense and giving the ball back to their offense with 3:47 left in the half.
The Beavers ran the ball efficiently behind the hard running of Broadgate and Martin, leading to a 34-yard field goal by Ballard kicker Gavin Campbell as the Beavers took a 23-6 lead into the half.
As the 3rd quarter began, the Bulldogs came out with confidence and aggression, immediately forcing a three-and-out by the Beavers’ offense. The connection between quarterback Antoine Williams Jr. and receiver Jmitch Mitchell heated up again as they connected for pass receptions of 7 and 13 yards, putting the Bulldog offense in Ballard territory. Unfortunately, the momentum didn’t last long as the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass.
After the turnover, Wallblom and the Ballard offense responded with a 62-yard strike to Jamir, giving the Beavers another scoring opportunity.
After a few false start penalties and minimal runs by Broadgate and Martin, the Beavers settled for a 40-yard field goal by Campbell, making the score 26-6 in favor of the Beavers.
On the following possession, Garfield’s offense stalled again as Ballard’s defense completely neutralized the Bulldogs’ efforts. A mishandled snap by Garfield’s long snapper and punter led to a fumble, which was recovered by the Bulldogs but gave Ballard excellent field position.
The Beavers took advantage of the mistake and chewed up most of the 3rd quarter by running the ball, finishing the drive with another Campbell field goal, making the game 29-6.
On the ensuing kickoff, Ballard’s Theo Dinkins recovered an onside kick, giving the Beavers possession of the ball again. However, the possession didn’t last long as the Bulldogs’ Zion Moimoi recovered a fumble by Broadgate, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs.
On the very next play, the Beavers’ Zach Jamir stripped the ball from Garfield’s Jayden Roberts, allowing the Beavers to retake possession of the ball as the 3rd quarter ended with the Beavers leading 29-6.
Late in the fourth quarter, Garfield slowly started putting things together on offense behind the running of Pita Moimoi III. With the assistance of three pass interference calls, the Bulldogs found themselves with a first down at the Ballard 20-yard line. However, the Bulldogs failed to convert on fourth down, giving the ball back to the Beavers with 3:12 left in the game. The Beavers ultimately ran out the clock and secured a 29-6 victory over the Bulldogs.
After the game, Ballard coach Malik Prince was pleased with his team’s performance, but he acknowledged there was still work to be done.
“What we need to do is continue to build on the improvements we’ve made in the offseason, continue to trust the coaches,” said Prince. “We’ve got something special on our hands, we just have to make it work while we can.”
Next week, Garfield will go on the road to take on Eastside Catholic on Friday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m., while Ballard will face Rainier Beach at Memorial Stadium on Friday, September 20, at 5:00 p.m.
