Coach Justin Christiansen’s ethos of “take no prisoners, just go, just play,” was the mindset the Bears brought to the evening. Optimistic after their stunning victory over the undefeated Emerald Ridge Jaguars, the Bears went into the two league matches ready to conquer.
The first match between Olympia and Sumner started with temperatures already below freezing at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Nonetheless, the cold did nothing to chill the players’ spirits. Led by senior Grace Borden in tackles, the Bears were able to block many of Sumner’s drives, but interceptions and failed passes gave a leading position to Sumner despite the offense’s best efforts. In the end, the game finished 36-7.
An apparently ubiquitous element of this new sport is the lack of order regarding the rules. As sophomore Nina Newton-Stohl noted, before the game, an “official was teaching the other official the rules of the game.”
Unlike in football, no coach, player, or spectator yelled at referees. However, the sideline players of all teams employed yelling “D up” as an offensive move. The yelling, meant to discourage and distract the opposing offense when huddled up, remains unclear in its efficacy.
During the interim half hour between games one and two, team manager Anneka Ragan won a dance battle against Rogers with her worm. So it goes without saying that despite the loss, as team manager senior Handel Itegi said the Bears kept their “head up even on bad plays” or losses.
Junior Brynn Udo was put in the unique position of playing both offense and defense due to two injuries on the team. Despite this, she rose to the occasion with an interception in game two against Rogers. Throughout the game, she proved a deadly offensive weapon. “She’s our best athlete; the core of the team,” said Itegi.
Match two for the Bears was grinding. 21-0, the defense stayed strong and had two interceptions: one by Josie Balsley and the other by Udo. “You couldn’t want a better defense,” praised Assistant Coach Orlando Johnson. Borden once again led the Bears in tackles. Overall, Itegi was correct, the Bears needed to “get the offense going.”
Issues with the rules came up again in game two as on one drive Udo lunged for a touchdown. This was ruled illegal. Borden noted that the rules “are kinda like the constitution and they (the officials) interpret it differently each game.”
Despite the injuries and the cold, the Bears displayed moments of great skill and dedication. It was impressive to watch. Taking fourth in the league is no easy feat. Remember what Christiansen said: “You guys have the potential to do great things but you just have to keep playing.”
