We all want to experience the vivid feeling of hearing a stadium full of our closest friends, school admin, and family bring the house down with a chant of our name. Now, experiencing that in your senior year in high school, that’s something special.
In 2015, Fossil’s varsity team went (5-5-0), a mediocre result for any high school football program. The boys were frustrated by their shortened run in regards to making the playoffs, and former head coach, Brian Tinker, although acting as a role model for a lot of the boys, didn’t help the team find crucial success in the game. This season, fresh blood was brought in; Zak Bigelow, alumni of the University of Tulsa, and previous coach at both the University of Tulsa and Oregon State University, has become the head coach and anchor for our varsity squad.
Fittingly, with Bigelow’s new and effective style of coaching, he has led this team to win after win after win. But just as all great things come to be, it’s not singularly the leadership of Bigelow reeling in good results, the players are what make this team so special.
For the last three years Griffin Roberts, current quarterback (QB) and senior, has been one of those ‘special’ players. He got his first varsity reps in during his sophomore year and that alone was the only motivation he needed preceding the following season’s tryouts; he simply wanted that starting QB spot. Fall of his junior year, he had gotten what he wanted. Roberts became the QB for Fossil Ridge, and with that title, he stepped up to lead the team. He has stood side by side with his fellow captains Nick Edridge, Brandon Spraberry, and Brady Russell through every tackle, every early morning practice, and every summer training. These boys have grown up together – transitioning from elementary school, to junior high, and now to their senior year in high school – after strapping in on a roller-coaster-like couple of years regarding athletics.
Senior and captain, Brandon Spraberry commented, “Most of the friendships I’ve made throughout my four years at this school are with the players on the team. Sadly, I have lost touch with a decent number of my older friends because they aren’t with me every day. Working hard and getting better at practice with the team has given me the opportunity to bond with some of these guys like crazy.” One of Spraberry’s friendships is shared with Roberts; the two work effectively together out on the field – connecting passes, making plays, and gaining yards every time they step out onto the turf – needless to say, they both make a pretty big impact on the team.
With that said, not only do they impact the team, but having the label of playing for Fossil Ridge, impacts them. After an interview with senior Keegan Brady, about what it has meant to him to play for this team, he commented, “I’m really going to miss the late night games, the bus rides, and just hanging out with the guys. We’ve gotten so close over these past four years. It has really become a second family, and I have been accepted by each and every player here. Whether that’s in the halls at school, out on the field, in the weight room, these guys haven’t just made my time here playing football great, they’ve truly made my high school experience better than it ever would have been.”
Coming into this season, they were fully aware that they only had one more run playing this game for this school, and emotions were running high. Senior, Ryan Cronin said, “It was bittersweet knowing this was the last year I would play with these boys. We all knew we had to make this season a good one, a memorable one. It’s going to be hard saying goodbye to these kids in a couple of months… I’m just going to try and enjoy these last few weeks as much as I can.” Along with Cronin, Roberts also had some thoughts regarding this season, “I felt like, coming in, there was nothing to lose. I just want to go out there and put it all on the line for this last season and try to make it as memorable as possible. It’s been a good ride here, and I think we can finish up this season with a record we’re proud of.”
Memorable? That’s almost an understatement. The Sabercats’ current record is (6-2-0); three of those wins lead to a sweep of the city, beating cross town rivals: Rocky, Collins, and Poudre. For the first time in Fossil Ridge history, the football team started the season (3-0). The Sabercats took on the Poudre Impalas, winning 35-28 in OT, earning the Harmony Cup as well as the ‘City Champion’ title which might’ve given them a little too much confidence. Following that impressive winning streak, the boys lost to Bear Creek High School (17-31); a shocking result considering that, if statistics prove reliable, the Sabercats should’ve easily won that game. Cherry Creek High School also gave the ‘Cats a run for their money two weeks ago when they controlled the game, handing Fossil their second loss (7-42). Last Friday, October 14, Fossil played Prairie View (2-6-0) and walked away with a huge 35-7 win.
Let’s hope that the boys can take this momentum into Homecoming week as they take on Denver East High School (3-4-0) Friday, Oct. 21 on French Field at 7:00 pm! Be there and help cheer on the team!
