No games with league powers

By Dean Wong

The 2007 Ballard Beavers are eager to kick off their football season on August 31 against Juanita.

On August 20, the team began their regular two-week training camp on Loyal Heights playfield's new artificial turf.

Although the team has shorter practices to accommodate Ballard junior football each day last week, Head Coach Alex Barashkoff was more than pleased to be playing on a new field. He praised the consistent surface at Loyal Heights and the field markings as a big plus for his team.

While no KingCo games are considered easy, Ballard has a softer schedule than in the past. The Beavers don't have to play league powers Bothell or Eastlake.

"We like our schedule. We feel it's a very favorable schedule with six home games. It works for us, we could not ask for a better schedule," said Barashkoff.

The team attended a football camp at the University of Oregon this summer where, Ballard scrimmaged with Ferris, Battleground and Bellingham.

Hopefully the extra work will pay off. Ballard managed only two wins each in 2005 and 2006.

"If we stay away from injuries, hopefully that can catapult us into the playoffs," said Barashkoff.

Senior quarterback Joey Bolinger is back for his final year. The strong-armed Beaver plays a key role in the team's success.

"Joey is a three year starter," said Barashkoff.

Bolinger made a big debut in 2004 at the Emerald City Kickoff at Safeco Field. By the fourth quarter, Ballard was without its number one and two quarterbacks and Bolinger entered the game, throwing a last minute touchdown pass to beat Bothell. Since then, he has ranked among the leading passers in KingCo.

Along with the Beaver passing game, Ballard will rely on the ground attack to feature a balanced offensive.

The team is fortunate to have two gifted running backs in Carlos Stanley and Julian Montante.

"They will have to carry the load for us," said Barashkoff.

Ballard hits the fields without some key players who have graduated. They include All-KingCo receiver Miles Schwaab; tightened Danny Hawkins, Elliott Tonning; David Schwaab; Clayton Brenden; and lineman Skyler Brown.

Several of those graduated players were sidelined with injuries last year, allowing their backups to receive valuable game experience.

"These kids got to play a lot because of that. The juniors (now seniors) have experience and it should pay off," said Barashkoff. The team has up to nine starters on offense and defense who are seniors.

"They have stepped up pretty well. The kids are excited, they are a good group," said Barashkoff.

Ballard has room for improvement after last year's 2 and 7 season that put them in ninth place in the 11-team league. Ballard tasted victory against Garfield and Juanita.

Bothell was undefeated at 7 and 0, followed by Eastlake 6-1 and Woodinville 5-2. These teams are expected to be on top again but the Beavers are hoping to upset that mix.

They do close out their season like they did last year, taking on perennial 3A power Bellevue in a non-league game. Bellevue is ranked number 23 in the nation.

City teams, Franklin, which defeated Ballard the last two years, Garfield and Roosevelt have improved. Roosevelt had more players turning out with their brand new school and football field.

Barashkoff would like to see the Seattle schools challenging the eastsiders more.

"Hopefully the city teams will beat the eastside teams more consistently," said Barashkoff.

This is Barashkoff's best team as head coach at Ballard. He is in his third year, leading the Ballard football program and he is optimistic.

"We have a lot of team speed and we are strong. We are not particularly that big, we can do a little bit more because we are faster. They play well together, they get along well and they are a fun group," said Barashkoff.

Visit http://www.ballardathletics.com for team information on all the sports.

The 2007 schedule:

August 31, Juanita at Ingraham, 7 p.m.

September 7, Woodinville at Memorial, 7:30 p.m.

September 14, Redmond, away, 7:30 p.m.

September 21, Franklin at Memorial, 8 p.m.

September 28, Inglemoor, TBA

October 5, Roosevelt (Homecoming), Memorial, 7:30 p.m.

October 12, Lake Washington, away, 7:30 p.m.

October 19, Garfield, memorial, 5 p.m.

October 25, Bellevue, away, 7 p.m.