KINGSTON — The Spartans varsity football team stepped onto Kingston High School’s Buccaneer Field for the first time Sept. 7. The Bainbridge High School team came ready to play.

The Spartans defeated the Buccaneers 43-6 in the non-league game.

A mid-week change to the Spartan line resulted in the five-man front that was too much for the Bucs. Spartan head coach Andy Grimm said the line worked.

“The kids adapted,” he said.

Knowing the Bucs would focus on the run game, the Spartans looked to stuff the Kingston offense every chance they had. For Grimm and his team, it worked.

By halftime, the Spartans had gained 29 points, which began with a 65-yard touchdown run by Matt Stone.

The Spartans held the Bucs at zero on the scoreboard until Kingston’s Garrett Rouser scored the final touchdown of the game. Rouser’s 1-yard touchdown were the only six point the Bucs received.

Bainbridge’s Stone earned 12 points. Alex Coplan, Max Wysong and Ben Kussie each earned a touchdown.

Bainbridge kicker Sam Kallas made four successful point’s after, and one two-point conversion on a fumbled snap.

Though both teams are fairly young this season, four Buccaneer players were on athletic suspension. One player was out for just the Bainbridge game. Three others are out for two or more games. The suspensions resulted in last-minute changes to the Kingston lineup.

In an interview Sept. 6, Kingston coach Todd Harder said three of the suspensions were due to players having “a little too much free time” over Labor Day weekend.

The Spartans (1-1 overall) were coming off a 48-7 loss to Central Kitsap, which Grimm said was a tough team. The loss, he said, did not reflect on what the Spartans will be able to do this season. The Spartans play Black Hills at home Sept. 14.

The Bucs (0-2) lost their first game against Squalicum Aug. 31, 27-10. The Bucs are at home against Olympic Sept. 14.

Scoring

Bainbridge 14 15 7 7 — 43Kingston 0 0 0 6 — 6