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Show ) Ben Lomond Beacon, Sept. 14, 1978, Page 6 iolfflho By Keith Duncan Coach Joe James and his Weber Warrior gridiron team have a respectable goal to reach the state playoffs this season. For Brian Ballif, the Warriors electrifying running back, the goal is a good one since he has never participated in a state playoff. I take each game at a time and try to do my best, but the teams pride and joy is going to be able to get to state, said Ballif. The Warriors 165 lb. tailback is making things happen this season and talk about going to state is certainly realistic with the talents of players like Brian. In his first two outings for the Warriors, Brian has amassed over 100 yards in both contests. He sped for 114 yards against Highland and last week managed 147. Brian can be seen running over or dragging tackers as he fights for an extra yard or two. This small titantic has earned the respect n of oposing coaches in the and in Region One. Brian makes up for his size with sheer determination and drive. He lives the game and loves it and does just about everything he can to contribute to the success of the team. After talking with Brian, these points come clearly into view. He sets goals for himself, the most important now being that his teammates and himself get ready to beat they first Region One opponent, Viewmont. He has another goal to gain 100 yards per game. 0, pre-seaso- The name Ballif has been associated with athletics for many years. The first four letters, ball might have had significant meaning when this clan was deciding upon a name. Brian has certainly upheld the Ball if tradition. Brians grandfather, Mark S. Ballif, coached for 35 years at Ogden High and his father Scott Ballif coached for 12 years at Bonneville High. One can clearly see that sports have been a big part of the family and Brian has now made loyal Warrior fans out of the both of them. Brian has always been active in sports, ever since the little leagues. Mrs. Ballif feels Brians love for football began to blossom in the eighth grade at North Ogden Junior High. At that time he played offensive and defensive end and ran back punts and As a ninth grader, Brians kick-off- s. team took second and during the season scored many touchdowns, his favorite play being a pass to left end with a pitchback to Brian around the left end. That year he was the outstanding athlete at the school. Sw itches to the backfield As Brian entered his first year at Weber, he was switched to a running back position, a decision that would never be regretted. In his first sophomore game, Brian gained 145 yards including a 68 yard run. His confidence only seemed to blossom after that feat as did his coaches. I have to give a lot of credit to Coach Dick Connolly who noticed I could run and gave me a chance to play, commented Brian. As a junior last season, Brian started in 6 of the 9 games and played a good amount in all of them. Brian was quick to add, There is such a different feeling on this seasons football team, compared to last season. A lot of seniors gave up last year, but you wont see us doing that. Brian gives most of the credit for his success in sports to his own father. Dad was encouraging me ever since I first put on pads. He would take me in the back yard and we would drill and practice handoffs. Then a couple of years ago he bought a weight lifting set and had me work everyday on it in the garage. At first I didnt want to, but he encouraged me to keep going, stated Brian. Brian is the second oldest of four children. Becky is the oldest and now married, then Brian, Debbie, and Bryce. Scott and Sherma Ballif are the parents and they reside at 2961 N. 150 W. in North Ogden. We Mr. Ballif has commented, want to be able to give Brian all the support possible. Our only hope is that he always plays his best and does all he can for the good of the team. Win or lose we hope Brian can come out of every game with pride and satisfaction that he has given 100 per cent to his team, the school, and himself. Brians parents were very earnest about good sportsmanship and being a gentleman as well as an athlete. This is a quality that radiates from the COnt. on page 7 Horses for a hobby! By Keith Duncan Horses for a hobby, it can almost get to be a full time job and thats especially true for a local horseman named David Cook, of 2593 W. 300 N., West Point. After years of tender patience and an unmatched love for horses, Mr. Cook and his now-a-da- yearling (21) churns for big yardage against Ogden. Brian has citement for the Warriors, gaining 261 yards in two games. SPEEDSTER BRIAN BALLIF helped to create big ex- Appaloosa Stallion, Diamonds Chief, have found success that will bring lasting memories for a lifetime. Recently, Diamonds Chief placed second in the Utah State Fair and also coveted the Reserve Junior Champion trophy in showmanship class. He is a beautiful Appaloosa colt with black spots dotting his white haired body. Horse showing is rapidly gaining pupularity in the area and with a topic like Diamonds Chief, the future of horse showing only looks brighter. After several trips to West Bountiful and many hours of looking at the small weanling Appaloosa colt, David could see a very promising show prospect for the 1978 show season. On the 9th of October in 1977, David was able to purchase a half interest in Chief from Arbuckle Appaloosa Ranch in West Bountiful with Maurice Arbukcle as manager. His main desire for purchasing an interest in the colt was because he was bred eligible for the 1978 Elite of the World Halter Futurity. I brought Chief to my place a few days later and put him on a special feeding program with regular exercise and grooming that would last throughout the winter months. When spring had come along, he had grown and developed into a very impressive yearling Appaloosa Stallion prospect, said David. Chief is gifted with a very unique color pattern, what is known in the Appaloosa world as a leopard, white with black and bay spots. Along with his unique color, tri-colo- rs 1978 WEBER HIGH Cross Country tackles a new season. (L. to r.) fop row. Coach Dick Connolly, Russell Barton, Bruce Combe, Jon Hale, Dawson Hedges, Scott Bantan, Dave DeVries; bottom row, Kirk Reese, Steve Worcester, Allen Brown, Leonard Frazier, Tracy Fiheld and Tomm Crosscountry Warriors Field Contender Last Tuesday afternoon, while many of us were cozy and comfortable in warm homes or cuddled around fireplaces, Weber Highs Cross Country squad were making footprints up and down the mountainside around Warrior field during a chilly rainstorm. Call it what you want, but we'll use dedication in this case. Coach Dick Connolly, the Warrior's head coach, was with his team all the way. This week they were preparing for the dual meet w ith the Viewmont Vikings on the Viking's course. Dave DeVries returns as one of the top runners of the team. Clearfield Ihgh appears to have the top harrier team in Region One and possibly the top runner, but Dave didn't let that bother him. In a Dave came just seconds away from being the top runner in the meet. Coach Connolly had high praise for Dave and his fellow runners, commenting, ''Were not that bad, we should do rather well." Other runners on the squad include Alan Brown, Dale Brown. Jon Hale, Leonard Frazier, Russell Barton, Guy Della Lucia, Steve Worcester, Bruce Combe, Kevin Taylor, Scott Banlon. pre-seaso- n t, Kirk Reese. Tracy Fifield, and Dawson Hedges. The 1978 schedule goes as follows: Weber at Viewmont on Sept. 14; Bonneville at Weber of Sept. 21; Weber at Roy on Sept. 28; Clearfield at Weber on Oct. 3; Weber at Layton on Oct. 12; Skyview at Weber on Oct. Weber at Bountiful on Oct. 24. 18; The Region meet is scheduled for Oct. 27 with the time and site still to be determined. The state meet is set for Nov. 4 at Sugarhouse Park. Sept. 16 will be the Provo Cross Country Invitational and Oct. 14 the Orem Cross Country Invitational is set. Apology requested (The following signed letter was to the Division of Wildlife Resources on Aug 26 Name has been withheld. Ed ) sent -- "I am writing this letter to clear my conscience, not because I have broken the law, but because I lied to one of your officers. On Saturday, Aug 26, I saw three does and one buck on the road. It was 8 30 p m. and since I didn't know what time sunset was, I shot an arrow at the buck. When a wildlife officer in- spected me later I had the proper permits and licenses. He told me that hunting was perone half hour after sunset, which I knew; but mitted for only being scared. told him that thought it was until dark. This has nagged me ever since, and 1 must clear my conscience. Please forgive me and rest assured that if 1 1 there is any question as to time again, I will never shoot." Chief is also bred in the purple, his Sire: Diamond A Bar and Diamond 2 Bar by the great thoroughbred Three Bars. His Dam: Minidoka Princess Minidoka Tiger by another great throughbred Count Diamond. Chief is bred to be a great Appaloosa race horse himself with halter conformation. Chiefs 1978 halter career started on a early spring morning, April 10th at the Utah Barrel Racers Show, Ogden, Utah. He took first place and Jr. Champion against eleven other colts in his class. On April 28th he was first and junior champion at the Silver Spurs Show in Salt Lake City, Utah. On May 27th he stood second and Reserve Jr. Champion at the Utah Appaloosa Show in Manti, Utah. June 4th he was again first and Junior Champion at the Bridger Country Regional in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The big event of the year was next at hand, the Utah Appaloosa Regional and the 1978 Elite of the World Halter Futurity. On Saturday June 10th, Chief and his training manager, capable Michael Lowder of South Carolina, never looked or felt better and were eager to get into the show ring. His class was called into the show ring and in came 22 good looking yearling Appaloosa colts, each being a prospective stallion, representing some five Western states. The judge was Ladd Harlon from Douglas, Arizona and he watched each colt, looking for straight legs, good heads and necks with good conformation and balance. After about 30 minutes of careful study, Mike and Diamonds Chief got the nod from the ring stewart for first place and were also the Junior Champions. Just minutes later in the next class, Chief was chosen first in the Elite of the World Halter Futurity. Along with this award came a sizeable pay check that would assure Chief of extra special care and also give his owners some pocket change for the remaining shows of the season. Most horsemen know that yearlings go through an awkward stage and Chief was no excpetion. He was hown at the Bridgerland Show in Logan Utah on July 29 and took third place. Again he was judged third place at the Majic Valley and I.O.N. Idaho, Oregon, Nevada Show in Filter, Idaho on August 6. On August 18 he was first and Grand Champion at the Davis County Fair in Farmington. Utah. As already mentioned, Chief placed second in the 1978 Utah State Fair, being edged out by a very impressive horse from the state of Washington. David reports that two more shows are still on the schedule. The Golden Spike National in Ogden on September 23 and the Western Appaloosa Regional this year at the Golden Spike Coliseum. The possibilities are also very good for Chief to be shown, the Utah Appaloosa representing Horse Club at the Appaloosa Horse Club Playoffs in November in Oklahoma City. After the show season Chief will come home to Davids place in West Point to be broke to drive on the chariot to keep him in condition during the winter. David commented, Chief is for sale, but until sold he will be broke to ride in the early spring and will compete for the 1979 Elite of the World Western Pleasure Futurity in June at the 1979 Utah Regional show. Mike Lowder, who has been so faithful through the season, plans to leave his horse friend in early October and go back to South Carolina and attend college. Next spring hell be back and memories will continue as Diamonds Chief and Mike link up again for another super season. |