Fossil Ridge football features a very athletic receiving unit for the 2015 season. According to MaxPreps, the Sabercats are averaging 108.2 receiving yards per game, which is above the national average. Led by mostly seniors, there’s high expectations for the group this year. The targets at wide receiver are seniors, Alec Mullen and Kevin Castell, and sophomore, Calvin Marley. At the slot position there are seniors Cole Schilling, and Fisher Layden.

“We have a good group of athletes that can show up and make big plays.” Cole Schilling, senior slot receiver said. Schilling led the team last year in catches with 38 on the season. He made the transition from quarterback to receiver at the beginning of his junior year, after playing quarterback his freshman and sophomore year. The change of position was obviously a good fit for Schilling, excelling even through injury this season.

Kurt North has been the programs main receivers coach for the past four years, despite a lot of coaching changes. “I think having Coach North around since we were freshman has helped us greatly. He knows our habits, and he knows exactly what to tell us to fix our mistakes. He has seen us develop and change as players. throughout out high school careers. We have seen a lot of coaching changes, so he has been kind of a constant.” Alec Mullen expressed.

After being with the program for a good amount of time, Coach North speaks highly about his players. “They (receivers) are usually the hardest working, most athletic players on the field. In general, they are a little bit of divas, and can be selfish at times, but it’s only because they want the ball thrown to them. It’s not a bad thing to have a group of guys that want to make plays. Our group is the toughest, best blocking, and best looking group in the state.” said North.

Coach North isn’t the only individual with a lot of confidence in this group; Griffin Roberts, starting quarter back,  has a lot of confidence in his guys as well. “This group of receivers is exactly what a quarterback could ask for. We have struggled a bit this year, but they run clean routes and are where I want them to be. I have faith that when I throw the ball, they will be there to make a play.”

Alec Mullen and Calvin Marley are the two starting wide receivers this season. Mullen leads the team in receiving yards according to MaxPreps, averaging 55 yards per game and over 273 yards total on the season so far. Calvin Marley, only a sophomore, is the youngest starting receiver on the team standing at 6’3, weighing 190 pounds. “I never really have thought of my age as a disadvantage. I don’t get treated differently than the seniors do, even last year as a freshman on varsity, I was treated the same. I’ve been lucky enough to have a team mate like Alec at my position to turn to for advice.”

Mullen has only played receiver throughout his high school career, excelling his junior year and this year at wide receiver. “I’ve learned to love the one on one competition; I love when the defense goes to man on man coverage because it makes it more competitive.” he said. Mullen has two touchdowns on the season.

With the season down to three remaining games, Fossil Ridge football will look to their receivers to help them make a late play off push. The experience and athleticism that this unit brings to the table is undeniable and will be something that their opponents will have to watch.