Sophomore running back Justin Simon carries for the Beavers during a 24-7 loss to Franklin Sept. 10. CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS.
The Ballard High School football team's Sept. 10 nonconference matchup with Franklin High School was a game of highs and lows.
The high was Ballard senior Daisjurr Sosville scoring on two-yard run on fourth and goal and sophomore Johnny Verduin adding the extra point to cap a seven-minute drive midway through the first quarter. The low, at least in terms of the score, was anytime after that.
Franklin took the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown to start a string of 24 unanswered points on the way to a 24-7 victory.
That early kickoff return was only one example of a rough day for the Ballard special teams, who had two kickoffs, including the opening kickoff of the second half, run back for touchdowns and muffed a punt.
But, the special teams did show some positive signs as well. Verduin landed a couple punts inside Franklin's 20-yard line, including one inside the 10. And, Ballard blocked three extra points and stopped a two-point conversion.
Despite giving up 24 straight points, the Beaver defense had its moments as well. Ballard was able to force Franklin into many third-and-long situations but couldn't get off the field, especially on a seven-minute Franklin touchdown drive late in the second quarter. The defense also got the ball back on a fumble after the Ballard offense had turned the ball over on the previous possession in the third quarter.
The trouble for the Beavers was that after the opening scoring drive, they only threatened to score once more in the game when the offense moved the ball to Franklin's 26-yard line in the third quarter only to see a holding penalty nullify a big run and the drive end on a sack.
Ballard (1-1) faces Issaquah High School at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Issaquah Stadium.