b'Jack Tews School Spotlight: Barrow High School (Utqiagvik, AK)CenterBrandon Valley High T he Barrow High School Whalers, located in Utqiagvik, Alas- by Nick MautoneBrandon, SD ka, are a Division III (3A) Mid-Alaskan conference football team. The football program is more famous than the average high schools, as the team was featured on an episode of Football HT: 64 Town on the NFL Network and an upcoming movie, Northern WT: 305 Lights. This team plays in the most unique location and functions a lot differently than the average high school football team, so I Class of 2024 spoke to Barrows Head Coach, Chris Battle, to learn a little more about his background, the teams history and on-the-field perfor-mance, and the logistics of how they travel.Gridiron Football Grade:8.2 of 10Coach Battle isnt a native of northern Alaska, but instead is orig-inally from Texas. His earliest coaching experience comes from coaching middle school football in New Caney, Texas, while also by Nick Mautone helping out occasionally with New Caneys high school team. He J ack Tews is a 64, 305 pound, class of 2024 Center for themoved to Tampa, Florida, and coached as an assistant at Free- first state championship, beating Homer by a score of 20-14. The dom High School for two seasons, 2007 and 2008. He moved to Brandon Valley High School Lynx in Brandon, South Dakota.Utqiagvik soon after and worked as a bus driver, while also volun-Watching his highlights, Jack displays a good understandingteering for the Whalers in his spare time. After leaving UtqiagvikWhalers also won their first district title in 2017 (the Whalers won up picking up the right defender, and he also uses his huge frameand returning to Texas for a bit, Coach Battle returned to the towna co-district title in 2011). Coach Battle took Barrow back to the to dominate at the line of scrimmage. His tape shows him simplyand joined the Whalers staff as an assistant, coaching the runningstate championship game in 2018 and 2019, but the Whalers lost bullying defensive tackles and creating holes for his running backs,backs and defensive backs. to Ben Eielson and Houston, respectively. The Whalers didnt play while contributing to not giving up much interior pressure in thea single game in 2020 due to COVID-19, and only appeared in 2 passing game. Tews has a 3.0 GPA, and currently doesnt hold anyAfter two seasons as an assistant, Coach Battle was named thegames in 2021, winning one and losing one. In 2022, the Whalers offers, but should see some coming his way during and after hisWhalers head coach and immediately led them to the schools finished 4-3 but made the playoffs.Senior season.James Owens Uatahouse Tuifuaathlete Linemanpine High Barrow Highfranklinton, la Utqiagvik, akHT: 510 J ames Owens is a 510, 160 pound, class of 2024 Athlete whoHT: 62 atahouse Tuifua is a 62, 285 pound, class of 2024 Defen-plays running back, wide receiver, and strong safety for Pine WT: 160 High School in Franklinton, Louisiana. James is a productiveWT: 285 U sive Tackle/ Offensive Guard for the Barrow High School player, having accounted for 897 all-purpose yards on offense in 2022 (536 rushing and 361 receiving), while also reaching the endWhalers in Utqiagvik, Alaska (formally known as Barrow). zone 7 times last season. James is a great route runner, but the bestUatahouse is Barrows most impactful player, and one of the most part of his game has to be his catching abilities, as his tape showsgifted high school football players in the state of Alaska. Uatahouse Class of 2024 the ability to make difficult and contested catches, including 1 on 1Class of 2024 is one of the strongest players every time he steps onto the field, and jump balls, which he usually comes away winning. He isnt afraid touses his size and frame to dominate inside and make plays, whether take hits or lay out for passes wither. An underrated part of a skillthats putting pressure on or sacking the the quarterback, or wrap-position players responsibilities is blocking, and James has shownping the ballcarrier up on a running play. This led to a 60 tackle Gridiron Football Grade:7.3 of 10 through his tape that he isnt afraid at all to throw a nasty block andGridiron Football Grade:6.4 of 10 and 13 sack season in 2022 for the Whalers. On offense, Uatahouse help his teammates out when he doesnt touch the ball. James is usedmakes it difficult for opponents to get close to his quarterback. He in a number of different ways in Pines offense: he runs short routesisnt particularly fast, but where he shines on the offensive line is his and screens, longer routes, is handed the ball in short yardage situa- footwork. He is really technical and aggressive on both sides of the tions, and his coaches find ways to get him the ball in open space asball but also plays the game smart. Uatahouse has maintained a 4.0 by Nick Mautone well. James is also featured on Pines special teams unit as a returner. by Nick Mautone GPA since entering high school.24 25'