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.
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