This season the Ballard Knights Juniors football team did their part to make up for the a disappointing year in local sports by going 7-1 on the season and winning the league championship Nov. 1.

Jason "Coach Buzz" Busbe said this year's success was gratifying after a one-win 2007 season and especially impressive because his team of seventh and eighth-graders played and defeated high school freshmen teams.

"There was a lot of talent on the team," Coach Buzz said. "So, you couldn't go wrong too much."

Coach Buzz said the team really came together this year, and he tried to instill in them the belief that working hard can pay off in the end.

"We pride ourselves on always outworking the other team," he said.

The Knights were able to outwork Eastside Catholic in the championship game for a come-from-behind 15-14 victory.

Eastside Catholic scored on their first possession, but the Knights stayed in the game. In the fourth quarter, Ballard scored to make it a one-point game. A point-after kick, which is worth two points instead of one in the league, would win it.

Coach Buzz prepared the team with a timeout, the kick was made, and the championship secured.

The win was exciting, but not a precedent, for the team.

In 12 seasons under Coach Buzz, the team has had three first-places seasons and two second-place seasons. This was the Knights' second championship in three years, Coach Buzz said.

Most of the eighth-graders on the team will be moving on to play for Ballard High School next year and Coach Buzz said he will be moving up with them.

He said he will be working mostly with the Ballard High School freshmen team but also some with the junior varsity and varsity players. It should be an easy transition because he has coached most of the Beaver players at one point or another he said.

Coach Buzz said he is not sure how much time that will leave him for coaching the Knights but he has faith in his group of talented assistants to continue to the success.

As for the players, Coach Buzz said there are at least six or seven that should do great at the next level, including quarterback Johnny Verduin and running back/linebacker Frank Airey.

Michael Harthorne may be reached at 783.1244 or michaelh@robinsonnews.com