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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2016)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016 JHS PREVIEWS 13A Photos by Don Johnson/For The Daily Astorian Jewell freshman Ahstin Culp takes a handoff from head coach Joel Johnston and runs down the field during a Monday afternoon practice. Jewell football is back with a young, fast team After not having a 2015 team, players are raring to go By DON ANDERSON For The Daily Astorian Despite having 20 per- cent of its team sidelined with injuries, the committed Jewell football squad is determined to come back strong from a year without football in 2015, to play a full season this year. Senior Zack Hart is having to play multiple roles for the young Jewell team, as there are few players to go around. “Sometimes I play guard, sometimes end and sometimes running back,” Hart said. He and fellow senior Sean Hinson are the only two seniors on this youthful team. “It’s a much younger team than we have had before. But even though we are young we are very quick to learn,” Hart said. “We are also tough and driven and are very committed to have a good season and win as many games as possible.” “We have nine players that are currently eligible, but 11 total,” Hart said. Two of the team’s mem- bers, were injured and may be out for the season. Injuries on such a small team magnify the importance of the other play- ers. Fortunately, Jewell has state track stars in 6-foot-2 running back Ben Stahly, and Jewell senior Sean Hin- son and junior Ben Stahly take a water break during football practice Monday. Both Stahly and Hinson went to state in track and their speed will help the Blue Jay’s running game. 6-foot-3 quarterback Hin- son. With their size and quick- ness, they should be able to put points on the scoreboard. “I think that the Seaside JV team will be our toughest opponent this season because they come from a much larger school than us,” said Hart. In this comeback year for the Jays, they will not be play- ing Casco League ball, but will be playing mostly JV teams from area schools. The Blue Jays have a new coach this year in former Jew- ell student and football player Joel Johnston. Johnston hopes to lead the team back into reg- ular play, which is a perennial problem at small schools. Even with eight-person football, each player has to ill multiple roles on offense and defense. Jewell’s opening game is at Alsea High School on Thursday. Photos by Don Johnson/For The Daily Astorian Alyscia Littlepage, senior at Jewell School, goes airborne to swat a ball during volleyball practice. Littlepage is Jewell’s most experienced player and is the team captain. Jewell volleyball girls have strength in character … If not in numbers By DON ANDERSON For The Daily Astorian Jewell sophomore Jo Armstrong sets the ball during volleyball practice. Jewell’s team only has seven players, but are confident that they will do well in league play this year. JEWELL — With just seven members on their varsity volleyball team, the Jewell Blue Jays have little room for substitution, injuries, or grade problems. “We have a great team of girls who are good both on the court and in class,” said Niqui Blodgett, a junior at Jew- ell. Blodgett is a hitter for the Jays and will use her athletic ability to make “kills” that the opposing team can’t return. Setting her up is teammate Alyscia Littlepage, a senior at Jewell School and the only senior on the volleyball team. As a setter, Littlepage specializes in receiving the initial pass from a team member and setting it perfectly for one of the hitters to slam across the net. “We get along really well and have great energy on the court,” said Littlepage, “but communication is always our biggest challenge.” Besides their one senior, the Jewell team has two juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen. In order to compete in the Casco League with such teams as St. Paul, the older players are going to have to help mentor the younger players, giving them support both on and off the court. “I love getting to know my team mates better,” said Blodgett. “In school, in the halls, you don’t get to really know them, but here on the court you get to know them a lot better.” “Yes, knowing that your teammates have your back is really important,” added Littlepage. SCOREBOARD PREP SCHEDULE Junior Corey Lyons brings size and strength to the Blue Jay’s offensive and defensive line. In eight person foot- ball, players like Lyons have to play both sides of the ball. TODAY Volleyball — Astoria at Catlin Gabel, 6 p.m.; Seaside at North Marion, 4:30 p.m. Boys Soccer — Astoria at Catlin Gabel, 4:15 p.m.; Oregon Episcopal at Seaside, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY Volleyball — Warrenton at Knappa, 6 p.m. THURSDAY Football — Alsea at Jewell, 7 p.m. Volleyball — Rainier at Seaside, 5 p.m.; Rain- ier vs. Astoria, at Seaside, 7 p.m.; Clatskanie at Knappa, 6:30 p.m. Girls Soccer — Rainier at Astoria, 6 p.m.; Sea- side at North Marion, 4 p.m. Boys Soccer — Astoria at Corbett, 6 p.m.; North Marion at Seaside, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY Football — North Bend at Astoria, 7 p.m.; North Marion at Seaside, 7 p.m.; Knappa at Warrenton, 7 p.m.; Ilwaco at Nestucca, 7 p.m. SATURDAY Volleyball — Astoria at Southridge Tourna- ment, TBA; Knappa at NKN Tournament, 7 a.m. Cross Country — Ultimook Invitational, 8:15 a.m. Proud Sponsor of the JEWELL BLUE JAYS • Serving Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner • Complete Facilities for Banquets, Meetings & Receptions • Wedding Parties & Rehearsal Dinners Welcome • Free Logging Museum • Gift Shop • Locals favorite stop on the way to Portland or on your way homet www.camp18restaurant.com H OME OF THE O LD T IME L OGGING M USEUM • U.S. H IGHWAY 26 AT M ILEPOST 18, I N E LSIE