By JACK H. SMITH
Like no other time of year, the Christmas season truly brings out the best in a community as local residents and businesses take time to share with those less fortunate.

One local Toppenish business that is getting into the spirit of giving is Ideal Lumber and Hardware, who is once again conducting its annual Christmas stocking raffle.

According to Carrie Story of Ideal, during the month of December the business sells raffles tickets, and every Friday there is a drawing with the prize being a five-foot stocking filled with toys.

All proceeds are matched by Ideal and donated via the Mr. Toppenish Pageant to the Children’s Village, a health facility in Yakima that serves children with special healthcare or developmental needs and their families.          

By JACK H. SMITH
The Wapato High School football team had its season come to an end Nov. 3 with a hard-fought 17-11 loss to rival Toppenish.

While ending the year with a 1-9 overall record, the team did take a huge leap in the right direction on a cold October night when they picked up there first win since the 2009 season.

Coming into the Oct. 21 game winless on the season, Wapato had a magical night on the field and came away with a 28-14 win over Grandview.

Following the game, Wapato head coach Orson Christensen took time to talk about just how meant much the win meant to his program.

“The kids played hard and I’m proud of them. Guys stepped up and overcame the adversity we had been facing all year. Their hearts rose up and we battled. It’s neat to be where were at right now,” Christensen said. “Hopefully this is the start for us to have a future where we an compete every week. That’s what we’re hoping for.”

By Jack Smith
The White Swan High School football teams amazing run at a state title ended in a dramatic loss Friday night in Kennewick.

In a seesaw affair with the momentum constantly swinging in both directions, White Swan fell 42-37 to undefeated Colfax High School in the Washington State 2B Quarterfinals.

Going into the game, White Swan was riding a 7-game win streak and started a high scoring, action packed first quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by bruising fullback Tony Picard. A successful run by Alex Sampson on the two-point conversion put White Swan up 8-0. After a Colfax touchdown to cut the lead to 8-6, White Swan’s Niko Nanez scored the second Cougar touchdown on a 30-yard run.

Zillah running back Brady Widner looks downfield in action earlier this season. The Leopards season came to end last week at the hands of Cashmere. The Bulldogs defeated Zillah 53-0 in the first round of the state playoffs. Chris Van Antwerp photo

By JACK H. SMITH
For the second straight season, the Zillah High School football team’s dream of a state title ended in the first round of the Washington State playoffs.

Zillah was upended 53-0 in a road game last week against the high-powered Cashmere Bulldogs.
Down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter, Zillah (7-4) was unable to get on the cut into the lead and fell behind 47-0 at halftime.

“Cashmere is a very good team. They are going to do well,” Zillah head coach Tim Strother said. There are no pushovers at state. They are a well coached physical team.”

Kurt Calhoun was the leading ball carries for Zillah with five rushes for 43 yards.

Strother said he was proud of the way his team played in the loss.

“They never backed down and fought hard the whole way,” he said. “Our seniors led this year. When that happens, good things usually follow and they did this year.”

While he would have liked his team to do better, Strother said they were able to qualify for the playoffs.

“That’s something we set out to do last summer and accomplished it,” he said.
 

A traditional Yakama dancer joined in the ceremony to honor Veterans Saturday at the White Swan Longhouse. Photo essay continues on page back page. Stacy Swenson photo

BY JACK H. SMITH
The Veteran’s Day holiday is of significant importance to the members of the Yakama Nation.

Last week, the Yakama Nation honored and also remembered during their 43rd annual Veteran’s Day Pow Wow at the Toppenish Creek Long House in White Swan.

Vic Wood and Max Corpuz were two of the local veterans who attended the three-day event. Both members of the Yakama Warriors Association, they took time to share what the Pow Wow means to them and other local vets.

“It’s an opportunity for all the veterans in the area to gather, said Wood who serves as the Head Warrior of the Association. “It’s very important. The people show respect for veterans. Not just natives, but all veterans.”

When he returned from the service, Wood said he never received a welcome home. He said the native people really honor and highly regard veterans and they are well taken care of.

 “This (Pow Wow) really helps carry that’s on,” Wood said.

Corpuz said the Yakama people have long honored vets and there is a special song Indian people have and they will sing it specifically for them.

He added attending the Pow Wow is a chance for veterans across the country to gather and celebrate.

Wood said each session of the Pow Wow is started with the traditional grand entry. Following the entry, Pow Wow Committee members give gifts to the veterans who attend. Corpuz said the gifts are given as a respect of honor.

On the final day of the Pow Wow Sunday, veterans were honored with a special dinner.

BY JACK H. SMITH
The Granger High School football team ended their season Nov. 5 just one game away from the state playoffs.

While the Spartans could not overcome a tough Connell squad in the 61-6 loss, Granger head coach Gary Ely was able to see some bright spots from the 4-6 campaign, including senior Caleb Resendez who rushed his way into the record books.

During the final game against Connell, Ely said Resendez was able to gain the most rushing yards since he has been at the school.

Resendez ended the season rushing for 1,385 yards on 234 carries and scored 14 touchdowns.

Down big to Connell, Ely said his team came together to ensure he would set the single-season mark.

“They all rallied around Caleb and worked hard to get him his yards. Many of the team were more concerned with Caleb being named to the all league team than they were with themselves,” he said.