During pregame introductions, the home team usually has its starters on offense or defense run onto the field individually.

Battle Ground did something different before its 41-6 win over Prairie on Friday . The Tigers had the 11 members of its kickoff team each run out of an inflatable tunnel though a billowing cloud of orange smoke.

Their positions were announced with unique names such as gunner, reaper and destroyer.

Why highlight the special teams in that way? Battle Ground coach Mike Woodward said it’s to honor the third, and often overlooked, phase of the game that has been crucial to the Tigers 3-0 start to the season.

“A lot of coaches talk about how special teams are a third of the game, but then they don’t practice that way,” Woodward said. “I’ve got 10 guys flying down tryi

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