{"id":38611,"date":"2026-08-23T09:19:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T13:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/?p=38611"},"modified":"2026-08-23T09:19:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T13:19:25","slug":"starfires-take-positives-away-from-loss-in-week-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/23\/starfires-take-positives-away-from-loss-in-week-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Starfires take positives away from loss in Week One"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By DEAN JACKSON<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WZBD.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUTLER \u2013 There\u2019s a difference between getting tested at a new position and fighting for survival. South Adams junior quarterback Zaden Baumer got both in a 45\u201327 loss at Eastside in Friday\u2019s season opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In just his second varsity start, Baumer was dropped straight into Eastside\u2019s relentless pressure. The Blazers (1\u20130) lived in the backfield, sacking him six times and forcing him into a net rushing total of \u201343 yards. Every dropback felt like an ordeal, but he kept getting up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Proudly supporting local athletes and their coverage on WZBD.com!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rather than folding under the hits, Baumer leaned into a gunslinger mentality. When the pocket broke, he spun, dodged, and bought whatever time he could. He finished 26-of-42 for 316 yards and three touchdowns, repeatedly standing in to give South Adams (0\u20131) a chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WZBD’s Rex Brewer wraps up the broadcast for the Z Team. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Adams coach Grant Moser said Baumer\u2019s toughness stood out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s getting hit. He\u2019s coming back. He wasn\u2019t afraid to wing it. He was a gunslinger. I mean, he was just a play or two away from busting it open.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Baumer had two major outlets when things got tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wes Summersett hauls in a touchdown for the Stars. (Photo by Dean Jackson)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wes Summersett put on a clinic with 10 catches for 171 yards and all three of Baumer\u2019s touchdown passes. Jax Wanner kept the chains moving with 12 receptions for 137 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jax Wanner tries to turn the corner after an end around. The Starfires scored on the next play. (Photo by Dean Jackson)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While the passing game carried the offense, the run game never found traction. Braxtyn Hough provided a brief spark with 11 yards on two carries, but the team finished with \u201331 rushing yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Even with the imbalance, South Adams nearly stole momentum. Behind Baumer\u2019s composure, the Starfires cut the deficit to three in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt\u2019d be easy to roll over, but our kids kept tight, and we have good grades with seniors,\u201d Moser said. \u201cCame back and got within a touchdown going into halftime, and then again in the fourth quarter we\u2019re down three. We come back at down three with the ball in our hands, about five minutes left, and that\u2019s everything you can ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Defensively, South Adams carried a heavy load trying to slow Eastside\u2019s punishing ground game, which piled up 314 rushing yards and five touchdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zaden Baumer spent plenty of time being chased by the Eastside defense Friday. (Photo by Dean Jackson)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Summersett delivered an ironman performance, adding 15 solo tackles on defense. Gabe Steiner recorded eight solo stops. Easton O\u2019Dell added six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Adams kept it close deep into the second half, but late mistakes and Eastside\u2019s run game eventually broke it open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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