Although Fossil football has begun their season with a four-game losing streak, the players are not defeated in spirit. One of those players is junior Casey Knutsen, a multi-sport athlete who truly values the opportunity to compete for and represent Fossil Ridge.

So far this season, Knutsen, at RB and LB, has a total of 28 rushing yards on 10 carries, and will continue to contribute to the team not only this season, but next year as a senior as well. Knutsen commented in an interview, “Playing football gets me through each day, just knowing that after school I get to go play the sport that I love and practice with the people that I love is something I’m truly grateful for.”

Knutsen is a key player on this SaberCat team and expressed that playing at Fossil Ridge has impacted him very positively. Not only is he provided with the opportunity to get better at football, and raise his IQ of the game, but he has to also make a conscious choice, every day, to be a better person. Fossil’s program is centered around having a strong brotherhood – each player plays for the boy standing next him, and each player has to make decisions that will either help or hurt the team.

Ever since Knutsen was a young boy, his life was surrounded by sports as he played football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. His father used to coach at the University of Wyoming, and Knutsen commented, “I was always there on the field or in the coach’s office running around with the other coaches’ kids. I have grown up with a love for competition, and ,luckily, I think that will stay with me throughout my life.”

Football has become his primary focus over baseball the past few years stating, “If I get the chance to play in college that would be amazing.” However, before he can get to the college level he has to finish out his high school career. After being asked about his thoughts on this season, Knutsen commented, “This season hasn’t gone how we wanted it to go because we know we can do better, and should be doing better. We just need to keep our heads up, and keep working until we catch our break. This team is much better than our record shows, it’s just a matter of time before we end this losing streak.”