Fossil Ridge football earns their first win of the season against Prairie View

On Thursday night, October 12, Fossil Ridge High School (1-6) took on Prairie View High School (0-7) on French Field. After a hard fought game, the Cats came out on top, 17-7, earning their first win of the 2017 season.  

Senior Kevyn Simpson was an impact player for Fossil Ridge last night, and has been for the previous three years. Simpson has shown a great deal of commitment to the football program, and has come to be a face of Fossil Ridge football. Each and every day he shows up to practice with two goals: one, to work the hardest he can, and two, to motivate his brothers while they’re out on the field.  

The SaberCats hit a rough patch at the beginning of their season, but, over the course of the last six weeks, have improved immensely. Not only are we seeing the powerhouse of a defense Fossil has develop, but we have witnessed the offensive line become much more dynamic in their attacking zone. Simpson commented in an interview after the game on Thursday, “The team has grown a tremendous amount so far this year, at the beginning of the season we weren’t really ‘a team’ so-to-say. I would describe it as we were all kind of trying to find out where we stood, where we belonged. Now I can confidently say that every time I step out onto the field, I’ll do anything for any one of my brothers, and I know that they’ll do the same for me.”

Family hasn’t always been a big part of the programs culture, but last season when, Head Coach, Zak Bigelow made his debut as a part of Fossil Ridge football, he made it a priority to create a brotherhood dynamic among these young players. Not only did he have a plan coming into his new position, but he most definitely put it into action.

This season, the team’s motto is “Living In The Hard”, and that phrase drives every aspect of the program. Simpson stated, “Living in the hard is a statement that means a lot to everyone here. Yes, it means to play hard, and work hard, and do your best, but it also means that when life gets you down, you live in the hard and you don’t give up… Coach Bigs emphasizes a lot on how the game isn’t just a game of football, it’s a game about being a man and becoming one. Living with this motto sets the tone for the way of life he wants us to live, and the level of character he hopes each one of us holds ourselves to.”

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“…the game isn’t just a game of football, it’s a game about being a man and becoming one…”

— Kevyn Simpson

There is no question that this team has been living in the hard this season after losing to three in-town rivals in the opening three games of the season, and then 3 more games to some of the most talented opponents in the state of Colorado. There was almost a preconceived notion that the boys should’ve just given up on the season entirely during that six-game losing streak; but because of their heart, and their determination, surrendering to defeat simply wasn’t a choice.

The passion for this game isn’t only found in the players at Fossil Ridge, the coaching staff has grown up playing this game themselves, and finds it humbling that they get the opportunity to coach these boys. Simpson commented, “Our coach told us that we needed to work extremely hard this week and prepare mentally because he believed we had a good shot at winning against them.” Coach Bigelow has expressed his frustration with the Cats’ record, stating that he is only so worked up about it because he knows that this team is better than what that record shows. The brotherhood, and support found in the SaberCat locker room, is what it is because each member of the program believes in the guy next to him.

A win’s a win, no doubt, but the Cats didn’t have a perfect game. There were some missed opportunities and assignments, and the Cats recognized that, but battled back to get the win. This was the first showing of a truly cohesive SaberCat team, Simpson commented, “I was encouraging my teammates throughout the whole game, trying to spread a positive vibe and mentality keep them going. I was trying to lead through my actions and play as hard as I could, and I think the rest of the team gave it their all as well.”

Simpson had a touchdown in the game, but can’t quite recall what exactly happened in that moment. “When I scored that touchdown I don’t remember much because it was like bread and butter, the pass was perfect and I was determined to get into that end zone. Really, pure excitement was all I was feeling. I love helping my team out and hearing and seeing all of the cheering fans is really an amazing feeling.” 

Next Saturday, on October 21, the boys will travel to Denver East High School (1-6) to take on the Angels at 2:00 P.M at All City Stadium. Make a day out of it, and come cheer on the boys!