Football: (Coach Lee Chadwick)
We welcomed Seward to our first home game in 2018. With injuries and sickness among the team this week, we had a difficult week of practice. Several players were forced to learn new positions and accept new roles in a short period of time. As a result, we were insufficiently prepared for our game. We repeatedly missed several key assignments in our blocking schemes that made it very difficult for us to move the ball offensively.
Defensively, we competed much better than we have in our previous games, although the score didn’t reflect it. We were able to stop Seward’s running game with the exception of a few key plays. Our passing defensive effort gave up some big plays which broke the scoring open for Seward. We hope to build on our accomplishments this week with improved pass defense as we face Monroe and then Redington in the coming two weeks.
On the bright side, it was great to have good weather and see the local support for our program. We would like to thank everyone involved for their contributions big and small to support the young men of Valdez.
(Photos by Calvin Fifarek)
Cross Country Running: (Coach Mel Koontz)
September 1, 2018 – Valdez Community Race
After a night of torrential downpour, the sun came out in time on Saturday morning to dry up the course a bit. Saturday’s meet turned into a community meet at the last minute due to an unforeseen cancellation by Cordova’s Cross-Country team. The team was very disappointed, but still very motivated to run. Races began at 10:00 am with Gilson Middle School Cross Country facing off against Glennallen. At 11:00 am the Buccaneer runners faced off against community members Ryan Belnap and Mayor Jeremy O’Neil, Jordan from Glennallen and Anika Witsoe from Cordova.
The Buccaneers were excited to run a familiar course and sunshine. They have demonstrated grit and determination running in torrential downpours the last couple of weeks. Flying past the finish line in first place was our very own Kalin Woods at 18:20, a season best for Woods this year. Rafael Alfaro sprinted across the finish line in second place at 19:54, also a season’s best for Alfaro. Looking strong in third place, Anika Witsoe of Cordova, cruised in at an impressive 22:06. Less than two minutes behind Witsoe was Senior Dustin Woods with a season best of 23:30. Rounding out our top five finishers was Jordan from Glennallen with a finish of 24:05.
Coming in hot in sixth place and refusing to let our dear mayor pass him, was William Benes at 25:04. Mayor O’Neil sauntered in with his strategically placed bear bells at 25:20. Katelyn Wadsworth improved her season time with a finish of 25:53 after battling reoccurring injuries. Ryan Belnap finished strong at 28:20 and Sophmore Wyatt Mehlberg completed his first 5k race at 31:38.
The Buccaneers Cross-Country Team would like to thank all of the volunteers that helped to set up the course, provide water and snacks for runners, and kept the course safe. The season is already half way over with only three meets left before state. Our next meet is in Palmer on Saturday, September 8th.
Volleyball: (Coach Adam Sharrai)
“Bethel Invitational”
The Lady Buccaneers drove for the Anchorage airport Thursday headed to play Bethel, Barrow, and Othello—a 1000 student school from mid-state Washington, at the Bethel Invitational. After spending a night in ACS the team flew out for Bethel mid-day Friday in time for JV afternoon and evening games.
The JV played well besting the Barrow Whalers 25 -8, 25 – 5 in 2 out of 3. They continued their success against the Bethel Warriors 25-16 and 25-18. The Varsity did not play Friday.
Saturday morning, the Varsity had a slow start after sitting for two days scraping off the bus rust and plane pain losing their first set to Bethel 21-25. The Lady Buccs went on to finish up the Bethel Warriors 25-17, 26-24, and 25-15 in 3 out of 5. Up next was Barrow which the Varsity won in 3 straight 25-19, 25-20, and 27-25. The JV played Barrow’s JV next winning in 2: 26-24 , 25-15. Next, Valdez Varsity struggled to find their rhythm against the Othello Huskies in three close games 20-25, 27-29, and 25 – 27 all to Othello.
The Valdez Lady Buccs would get their chance for a re-match with Othello in the Championship game later that evening. Valdez split with Othello in the first four games with the exact same score: Valdez 25 – 23, Othello 25-23, Valdez 25-23, Othello 25-23, setting up a fifth , and very late , tie-breaker to 15 which after a continued struggle, the Valdez Lady Buccs came out on top 17 -15 winning the Bethel Invitational.
The Lady Buccs traveled home from Bethel Sunday and are off to the West Valley Invitational next Thursday morning. Go Buccs!