Wrapping up fall sports

Before I get into this week’s sports update, let me wish all of you faithful readers of this column a very Happy Thanksgiving.

And may I remind you to not eat too much — but definitely enough — and enjoy family and friends on this holiday.

There will be some pretty good games to watch, Be sure you enjoy them and don’t get wrapped up in the winning and losing. Let that part of the game bother the coaches and the players.

As fans, we really don’t have a lot to do with the final outcome of a game. I know the players appreciate the support, but they still need to play the game.

So, to all of the teams out there, play hard and earn your slice of turkey and pumpkin pie!

Back to local sports...

The football season ended Nov. 3 in a crossover game loss to the Okanogan Bulldogs.

It was a tale of two seasons, as the Broncos started out the season on fire easily defeating its first four opponents with a full arsenal of players. But injuries to starters mounted and the schedule would be filled with much better opponents.

The young kids battled hard, but it is tough to find victory in this league without a full complimentary of athletes. The Broncos finished 5-5.

It’s easy to make excuses, but the coaching staff did its best to piece together a competitive group each week to secure victory.

When injuries happen at a small school each player that is out is like losing two, since they are vital members of both the offense and defense.

And since most also play more, than one sport, we can only hope for the best when it comes to healing.

The Northeast 2B All-League football team has been announced and first team honors went to Bronco running backs Brody Boness and Brock Kinch. B

rody was also named to the first team defense as a linebacker.

Brock Tracy was named as a second team offensive and defensive lineman.

Brock Kinch earned a second team linebacker slot. Brody Boness was named as the second team kick/punt returner.

Kinch is a senior and will be missed next year along with other seniors Shawn Steinberger, Lance Williamson, Gabe Smith, Travis and Traye Redburn, Bridger Moore and John Branum.

Thank you for your hard work during your high school careers.

Middle school football Coach Alan Field was named Coach of the Year in his second season as the Bulldog head coach. His first two teams had a combined 10-0-1 record.

The volleyball girls had an exceptional season and participated in the state tournament. This is the third year in a row that the Bronco girls have competed in the state competition.

The Bronco girls were a No. 5 seed in the RPI rankings and would take on the Coupeville Wolves in Round 1. The Broncos prevailed sweeping in three sets.

Their next game would match them up with league rival Liberty, which upset No. 4 seed Goldendale in three sets. The Broncos would sail into the semi-final round after dropping the Lancers, 3-0.

The opponent for the semi-final match would be the Rainier Mountaineers, who upset the No. 1 seeded Adna Pirates.

The Lady Broncos would move on to the final after stopping Rainier and their dreams of another upset by winning 3-0. The Lady Broncos would battle the No. 2 seeded Manson Trojans — last year’s third place team — in the state championship title game.

In this match, lady luck was with the Trojans as they took control of LRSWH, 3-0.

The Bronco volleyball team wrapped up an extraordinary year as the 2B runner ups.

Just one week before the state competition, several of these girls were in Indianapolis competing for national honors at the FFA convention. To say that these girls had a busy two weeks would be an understatement.

There were several league honors bestowed on this team.

The league Co-MVP this year is Zoe Galbreath. Senior Megan Melcher and sophomore Saige Galbreath earned first team recognition and junior Addy Colbert is second team all-league.

Once again Coach Cari Galbreath is the Northeast 2B volleyball Coach of the year.

The Broncos will graduate senior Megan Melcher. She will certainly be missed after a very successful career.

As winter sports have begun, we hope for the best for our local athletes.

— Dale Anderson is a sports columnist from Ritzville. Email him at [email protected].