Steamboat Sailors football: Title Hunt

Title hunt

Class 3A state football championship

Steamboat Springs Sailors vs. Valor Christian Eagles

2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5Legacy Stadium, Aurora

Pictured: Steamboat Springs High School football senior captains, clockwise from top left, Austin Hinder, Jack Spady, Carl Steele, Joe Dover and Mitch Lekarczyk.

A supplement to the Steamboat Pilot & Today

2009

2 |Friday, December 4, 2009 A Supplement to the Steamboat TodaySteamboat football 2009

ORTHOPAEDICSOF STEAMBOAT SPR INGS

Eric Verploeg, M.D.Michael Sisk, M.D.

Andreas Sauerbrey, M.D.Henry Fabian, M.D.

Kevin Kovereld, P.A.Krista Bertz, P.A.

Fracture CareKnee SurgeryHand Surgery

Sports MedicineShoulder Surgery

Arthroscopic SurgeryFoot & Ankle Surgery

Joint Replacement SurgerySpine Surgery

Board Certifi ed Orthopaedic Surgeons

970-879-6663Fax 970-871-1234

940 Central Park Drive,Suite 280

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Go Sailors! Win State!

A Supplement to the Steamboat Today Friday, December 4, 2009 | 3Steamboat football 2009

In a roundabout way, Steamboat Springs High School Principal Kevin Taulman was able Tuesday

to bring the full spectrum of the foot-ball team’s season into perspective.

Taulman put into words what Saturday’s state championship really means to the team.

“And I had never thought of it this way,” Steamboat coach Aaron

Finch said. “It’s a week of lasts, and you know it. Last week, Pueblo Central didn’t know it was their last Tuesday of practices. It is a week of lasts, and we know it going in.”

That’s the thing. When Valor Christian and Steamboat

meet at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Legacy Stadium in Aurora for the Class 3A state championship, it will be a last.

Valor, a school still in its infancy after opening in 2007, has only eight seniors on a team that’s made a statement in just its second year of varsity football.

For Steamboat, there are 15 seniors, and most have played together since

middle school. Either way, Satur-

day’s game will have a

lasting effect on each team. “We’ve worked hard,” Finch said.

“We’ve earned the right to be state champs, no doubt in my mind. But Valor has, as well. It’s going to come down to who can get the ball in the end zone more. I’m not sure if fate or des-tiny has anything to do with that.”

In the simplest terms, it’s the two best teams, with the two best quarterbacks in Class 3A, squaring off.

For the Eagles, it starts and ends with junior quarterback Brock Berglund. The 6-foot-3-inch gunslinger has had the type of effect on Valor that Steamboat quarterback Austin Hinder has had on the Sailors.

Berglund has thrown for 2,027 yards to go along with 26 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He’s also run the ball for 842 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“He possesses a really outstanding ability both passing and running,” said Rod Sherman, Valor’s offensive coor-dinator and athletic director. “I don’t know if he’s Hinder. Hinder happens every five or 10 years in Colorado. But he’s been able to execute and hold on to and protect the football.”

Sherman and head coach Brent Vieselmeyer aren’t foreign to big games. The two coached at Orange Lutheran in California before coming to Colorado.

In 2006, their last season at Orange Lutheran, the two were part

of a program that finished No. 1

in California and No. 7 in the nation. Each conceded this week that he

really had no interest in leaving Orange Lutheran. But each found solace and a vision he liked at Valor.

“It’s not like we don’t want to win,” Vieselmeyer said. “I just think we’re keeping that in line with our goals of what we’re trying to do. It’s, ‘Let’s control the variables we can control.’ Whether it was this or that, our kids did a great job in the offseason.”

Valor finished the 2008 season 4-6 in its first year of varsity football. But with a year of experience, the Eagles tore through the Metro League and playoffs in 2009.

The Eagles average 38 points a game and give up just 11. They’ve gained 2,000 yards more than their opponents.

“Valor, they deserve to be 13-0, and they deserve to be in the state champi-onship game,” Finch said. “They are a good team. You go through a real bunch of teams that are one-dimension-al teams. Now we’re facing a team that has a bunch of offensive capabilities and can run on defense.”

Saturday’s game is a matchup of two similar teams. The offenses are explo-sive, and the defenses are more than capable of dominating games.

So what does this, the last game of the season, come down to?

“Turnovers,” Finch said. “Absolutely turnovers. That’s the girl that we brought to this dance. We’ve won the turnover ratio in every game. It’s really hard for

them to catch up and get

Matching of the mindsSteamboat Springs, Valor Christian field similar teams

Story by lUKe

gRAhAM

If you goWhat: No. 4 Steamboat vs. No. 2 Valor Christian, Class 3A state championship When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Legacy Field in Aurora Tickets: Adults, $8; Students and senior citizens, $6. Tickets can be purchased at the stadium, or in advance by visiting www.chssa.org and clicking on the “State Championship Tickets” on the left side of the page. Getting there: From Steamboat, take U.S. Highway 40 east to Kremmling. In Kremmling, turn south onto Colorado Highway 9 to Silverthorne. Head east on Interstate 70 to Denver, and take exit 261 for West 6th Avenue. After about nine miles, exit onto southbound I-25 toward Colorado Springs. Then merge onto E-470 toward Limon, drive 10 miles, and take exit 10 onto East Smoky Hill Road. After about two miles, turn left onto East Arapahoe Road. Legacy Stadium will be on your left. The total trip from Steamboat should take about 3 1/2 hours in good driving conditions.

Sailors send-off set for todayA community send-off for the Steamboat

Springs High School football and cheerleading teams is at 12:15 p.m. today along Maple and Third streets in downtown Steamboat. Both teams are headed off to state.

The football team vies for the Class 3A state championship at 2:30 p.m. Saturday against Valor Christian at Legacy Stadium in Aurora. The cheerleaders compete at 6:08 p.m. Saturday at the Denver Coliseum.

For the send-off, fans are asked to line Maple and Third Streets near the high school to show their support. The teams will leave at 12:15 p.m. today. People should start lining up by noon.

According to high school Athletic Director Luke DeWolfe, fans attending Saturday’s football game are only allowed to bring professionally done banners and signs. No noisemakers are allowed inside the stadium.

See Similar teams,page 4

Steamboat Springs High School football coaches sit on the bench

alongside the field Nov. 6 at Glenwood Springs High School.

The Sailors and the coaching staff find themselves in the state cham-

pionship game against the Valor Christian Eagles, a very similar

team to the Sailors. (Matt Stensland/staff)


back into the game and all through the playoffs. Taking care of the football, we’ve done a really solid job this year.”

Valor comes into the game with a plus-16 turnover ratio, and Steamboat’s at an unheard-of plus-26.

“It’s not stopping Steamboat as just kind of trying to control the guys,” Vieselmeyer said. “It’s not letting quick strikes go. It’s making them earn it. It’s how well our offense does against their aggressive defense. We’ve got to slow them down a little bit.”

On Saturday, it’s Valor, a team that will move to Class 4A next season and looks like it will be a staple of athletic excellence for years to come, against Steamboat, a team of undersized guys who have played together since they split up teams at recess.

“I guess you make your own des-tiny,” Finch said. “This group has worked really hard, and it’s been all hard work. This group comes to prac-tice every day. It’s continuous improve-ment. You don’t have to become state guys in one practice. But you do work hard, and you do work to get a little bit better every day.”

The better team will be revealed Saturday.

Similar teams continued from 3

Teams in positive for turnover ratios

Steamboat Opponent182 First Downs 169364-2,573 Rushes-Yards 462-1,810165-279-5 Comp-Att-Int 113-242-212,204 Yards Passing 1,3804,777 Total Yards 3,19026-36 Punts-Avg. 45-3727-7 Fumbles-lost 27-1789-749 Penalties-Yards 104-876

SCORE BY QUARTERSOpponent 35-27-34-87—183Steamboat 139-191-90-93—511

■ RushingConnor Landusky 38-126, 1 TD; Austin Hinder 147-793, 12 TD; Dylan Pivarnik 14-75, 2 TD; Jake Miller 1-(-1); Joe Dover 135-1,400, 22 TD; Michael Savory 8-65, 1 TD; Evan Hornstein 6-75, 1 TD; Tyler Samlowski 8-32, 1 TD; Jack Verploeg 3-7; Bryce Mayo 4-1.

■ PassingHinder 158-264-4, 2,114 yards, 25 TD; Miller 1-2-1, 8 yards; Savory 3-10-0, 8 yards; Dover 3-3-0, 74 yards, 1 TD.

■ ReceivingVerploeg 23-219, 2 TD; Jack Spady 61-1,078, 12 TD; Cody Harris 14-112, 1 TD; Pivarnik 17-227, 5 TD; Bryce Mayo 6-52, 1 TD; Landusky 2-20; Dover 40-482, 5 TD; Sam Robards 1-8; Jackson Coe 1-6.

Which of Class 3A’s best quarterbacks will have the best game? Steamboat’s Austin Hinder and Valor’s Brock Berglund are the two best quarterbacks in the classification and two of the top signal-callers in the state, regardless of school size. Berglund has combined for 39 touchdowns on the season, while Hinder has accounted for 37. The game might well come down to which quarterback more efficiently limits his turnovers.

Austin Hinder

Speaking of turnovers, which team wins the turnover battle?

Valor has created 16 more turnovers than it has given up. Steamboat is plus-26 in turn-

overs. A game of this magnitude could

very well come down to who wins the turnover battle. So far this season, Steamboat hasn’t played a game in which it has lost the turnover battle.

Does Steamboat or Valor do a better job of

embracing the big game? Each team certainly has played — and won

— big games during the season. For Valor, it was two matchups with

D’Evelyn and its trek through the playoffs. Steamboat beat Palisade and Glenwood on its way to a

league title before dominating in the first three rounds of the

playoffs. Which team handles the bright lights better? Steamboat is more experi-enced, but Valor’s coaching

staff has coached on the big-gest prep football stage.

Brock Berglund

3 key questions

MATT STENSLAND/STAFF COURTESY PHOTO

best quarterbacks will have the best game? Steamboat’s Austin Hinder and Valor’s Brock Berglund are the two best quarterbacks in the classification and two of

for 37. The game might well come down to which quarterback more efficiently limits his turnovers.

Austin Hinder

the turnover battle?Valor has created 16 more turnovers than it has given up. Steamboat is plus-26 in turn-

overs. A game of this magnitude could

very well come down to who wins the turnover battle. So far this season, Steamboat hasn’t played a game in which it has lost the turnover battle.

MATT STENSLAND/STAFF

do a better job of embracing the big game? Each team certainly has played — and won

— big games during the season. For Valor, it was two matchups with

D’Evelyn and its trek through the playoffs. Steamboat beat Palisade and Glenwood on its way to a

league title before dominating in the first three rounds of the

playoffs. Which team handles the bright lights better? Steamboat is more experi-enced, but Valor’s coaching

staff has coached on the big-gest prep football stage.

Brock BerglundCOURTESY PHOTO

Steamboat Springs season statistics

2989 Riverside Plaza in Steamboat SpringsSunday & Monday Gone Riding

We have a commitment to your service. Our service department is staffed by the most highly trained factory trained techs that have completed all advanced

manufacturer’s training.

Rentals are Available! • Top dollar for your trade-in! FXR and Slednecks Gear 30-50% off limited to in stock items only.

POLARIS SEASON TO RIDE SALES EVENTTHIS HOLIDAY SEASON RIDE FREE FOR A YEAR

*Good for in-stock items only. Prices do not include tax, or dealer prep fees. All sale prices include discounts, Bonus Bucks and rebates. *Offer ends on December 31, 2009. ©2009 Polaris Industries Inc. Not responsible for Newspaper misprints. Dealership picture is photographed by Scott Dressel-Martin.

GOSAILORS!

TUESDAY-SATURDAY 9AM-6PM • 970-879-5138 • www.steamboatpowersports.com

2009 DRAGON RMKMSRP $10,799

SALE $9,699SAVE $1,100

2009 ASSAULT RMKMSRP $10,599

SALE $9,499SAVE $1,100

2009 RMK 800 155stock# PS5956MSRP $10,299

SALE $8,313SAVE $1,986

stock# PS6488

stock# PS7269

2010 DRAGONRMK 800 155 2010 RMK

600 155

MSRP $9,399

SALE $8,499

SAVE $900

MSRP

$10,899


879-2123 • Buddy King • Tin Man Inc.

GO

SAILORS!Congratulations on a great season!

Since 1979

Congratulationson a great

season.

GoSailors!

CONGRATULATIONS SAILORS!

Steamboat congratulates and celebrates athletic

achievements both on the snowand on the gridiron.

Set Sail – Take State!


Sometimes the memories contradict, one person recalling a victory and another a narrow loss, one a perfect season and another a blemished record.

Others readily admit they don’t remember much about the start at all.

“The first thing I remember — the only thing I remember — was my first tackle,” senior Carl Steele said about his first real football game. “This kid was running down the sideline, and I was running perpendicular and just laid him out.”

It’s a perfect 13-0 record that has the Steamboat Springs football team one win away from a state cham-pionship, but the path this team — and in particular, this senior class — took to the championship game didn’t start with the first game in August. It didn’t start with a summer camp or even last year’s final game.

The road to the championship game is one players, family and fans have been treading down for a long time.

It’s a journey some can barely remember starting.“I really started thinking about it in fifth grade,” senior

quarterback Austin Hinder said. “We’ve always talked about how when we got there, we were going to win it.”

The game starts at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Legacy Stadium in Aurora, a date and place the senior class has been eyeing as long as it’s been playing football.

Championship dreams

Season fulfilling seniors’ goalsStory by Joel ReichenbeRgeR

Clockwise from top left: Jack Spady takes a knee in 2004; members of the 2003 sixth-grade Steamboat football program shake hands; the Red Raiders sixth-grade football team in 2003; players on a Steamboat football team in 2004; Austin Hinder shows off his arm at Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. (Courtesy photos)

See Seniors, page 9

Crystal Peak Construction, LLC

From Crystal Peak Construction:

Congatulations Sailors!

879-2235 • [email protected]

For excellence in football, look to the next State Champions.

For excellence, value, and affordable starter homes to ultra custom homes, look to Crystal Peak Construction.

With nearly 300 high-quality custom, system-built Heritage homes in Routt County, we are the professionals in modular construction.

Come in and see what we can do. You’ll be surprised at how energy effi cient, custom, and affordable our homes can be.

840 Lincoln Avenue • 970-879-1114Downtown Corner of 9th & Lincoln

840 Lincoln Avenue • 970-879-1114840 Lincoln Avenue • 970-879-1114Downtown Corner of 9th & LincolnDowntown Corner of 9th & Lincoln

840 Lincoln Avenue • 970-879-1114Downtown Corner of 9th & Lincoln

Lyon Drug is Cheering For Our Sailors!

Take State and Bring It Home!


970-879-3900W. US HWY 40

Steamboat Springs, CO

970-824-21001776 W. Victory way

Craig, CO

From your � iends at Cook Chevrol� and

Subaru

45Years a n d

St i l l

www.cookchevrolet.com

“� anks for buying Locally”

Steamboat Motors is giving their fans $250 Steamboat Chamber dollars in honor of their season on any new or used vehicle over $5,000,

we’ll give $500 if the Sailors win state! JUST BRING IN THIS ADExpires December 12, 2009

Congratulations Sailor Football

on an awesome season!

SailorsWe are so very proud

of allyou have achieved.

GOOD LUCK andBRING HOME

THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Troy, Chris and Hayley Brookshire

Caring For Our Communities

Wishes the Sailors Good Luck...

Win State!!!!


SteamboatPilot.com

YOUR PLACE FOR SAILOR FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME COVERAGE

Audio Provided By: Brian Harvey & Mike Diemer of


A special classThis team’s senior class runs 15 play-

ers deep, making up nearly half the active roster. Juniors and sophomores have contributed a huge amount to the perfect season, but the core of that run has been a tight-knit group of seniors.

In terms of high school success, it’s a run that really started two seasons ago when a batch of baby-faced sopho-mores lined up for their first varsity game. That was a 23-14 victory against Kent Denver.

“It was one of the uglier games I’ve participated in as this group’s head coach. But you saw kids out there being athletic and getting things done,” Steamboat coach Aaron Finch said. “That crew, as young as we were, that was significant. We thought, ‘This is building to one of those years.’”

He wasn’t the only one to have those thoughts. The same emotions occurred to other sideline regulars years before any of the class was playing varsity football.

The backbone of the Sailors’ team has been together almost as long as Hinder has been able to throw a spiral. They started as the same unorganized mob of grade-schoolers that swarm every playground in the country.

To many, it was always obvious there was a difference, though one that didn’t

necessarily have to do with recess in 3 feet of snow.

“I used to supervise the kids at Strawberry Park (Elementary), and I remember,” said Jane Spady, whose son Jack, a senior, will start at wide receiver and cornerback Saturday. “Even in sec-ond grade they’d go out in the field and play football year-round. They’d toss their coats off and be red in the face from running with the ball.”

With age came organization. Fifth-graders and sixth-graders began playing with pads for the first time, and each year the entire class was broken into four teams. Seventh- and eighth-grade teams started playing against squads from other towns in the region.

This year’s senior class always stood out.

“Finch was there watching the eighth-grade team, and my husband went up to him and said, ‘You’re look-ing at a future state championship team,’” said Marla Harris, whose son Cody, a senior, moved to Steamboat that season and will start Saturday at linebacker and tight end. “Even then it was obvious they were going to be special.”

Pieces of the puzzleIt hasn’t just been that there are

a few standout players in one senior class. Coaches and parents say the most

astonishing thing about this year’s class is how well they all fit together.

Most are still playing in those same positions they adopted back on the playground.

Hinder was always the quarterback. Joe Dover always lined up beside him as the running back. Spady has almost always been the receiver.

It’s not just those three, either.“The first day of camp, when the

kids show up to get their shoulder pads, they come and we’d ask them what position they want to play,” said Daren Mangiaracina, who coached the team in seventh and eighth grade. “Usually you get 20 quarterbacks, 30 wide receiv-ers and no linemen.

“I still remember. Darian Buelter and Carl Steele came up to me and said, ‘Coach, we’re linemen.’”

Buelter and Steele will start today on the offensive and defensive lines, posi-tions they’ve excelled in throughout high school.

“This is the last game I’ll play with Carl, and that feels weird,” Buelter said, reflecting Tuesday after practice. “We’ve always been next to each other. I’ve always known if I’ve got my assignment, he’ll have his, and we’ll be all right.”

For some, Saturday’s game will be a steppingstone. Hinder will be off to play quarterback at the Pac-10’s University of California, Berkeley.

Dover and Spady are looking for a place to play, and several other seniors are considering football in college.

For all, Saturday, no matter the outcome, will mark the end of an era.

“We’ve always had a bond. We’ve always played better when we were together on the same team,” Dover said. “It feels like it was just yesterday I was sitting there as a sophomore thinking, ‘No worries. If we don’t do it this year, we’ll still have years to do it.’

“Now it’s do or die. For a lot of us, this will be the last game we ever play, so I guarantee a lot of these guys will die on that field for the guys next to us.”

Seniors continued from 6

Parents, coaches always knew this group was going to be special2009 Steamboat Springs High School football team seniorsJack Spady, WR/DBAustin Hinder, QB/DBJack Verploeg, TE/LBLucas Stover, WR/DBBryce Mayo, TE/LBJoe Dover, RB/WR/DBDylan Pivarnik, RB/WR/DBCody Harris, TE/LBTyler Samlowski, RB/LBMitchell Lekarczyk, OL/LBKeenan Starbuck, OL/DLDarian Buelter, OL/DLHunter Willis, OL/LBCarl Steele, OL/DLAndy Aranyosi, OL/DL

Good LuckSteamboat Sailors at the

Football StateChampionship!

As your State Farm Agent, I am proud to support your dedication and commitment. Make this a season toremember. Go Steamboat Sailors!

Aragon Deborah A Ins Agcy Inc.Debbie Aragon ChFC CLU SPSU CASL, Agent404 Oak Street, PO Box 773957Steamboat Springs, CO 84077Bus: 970-879-1756 Toll Free: 800-530-8756

LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR STATE FARM IS THERE. ®

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

statefarm.comState Farm Insurance Companies • Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois

Congratulations on going to StateFrom all of us at

www.steamboatsalon.com

KICK!

From all of us at


4 0

▲

3 0

▲

2 0

▲

1 0

▲

4 5 0

3 02 0

1 0G

G

▲

▲

▲

▲

4

▲

3 0

▲

2 0

▲

1 0

▲

4 0

5 0

3 0

2 0

1 0

GG

▲

▲

▲

▲

4 4

4 04 0 4

04

0Steamboat defenseNo. Player Height Weight65 — Carl Steele, 6-0, 21053 — Darian Buelter, 6-0, 19552 — Keenan Starbuck, 6-3, 185 12 — Michael Savory, 6-1, 16531 — Cody Harris, 6-2, 20051 — Mitch Lekarczyk, 6-0, 180 23 — Bryce Mayo, 5-11, 180 8 — Jack Verploeg, 6-2, 180 5 — Jack Spady, 6-3, 18025 — Dylan Pivarnik, 5-10, 15024 — Joe Dover, 5-11, 185

Valor offenseNo. Player Height Weight53 — Danny Ramirez, 6-2, 27073 — Aaron Melton, 5-9, 23562 — Sam Grizzle, 6-2, 20565 — Alex Hinesley, 6-0, 210 75 — Alex Kozan, 6-3, 27584 — Blake Froistad, 6-1, 180 2 — Ryan Nu’u, 6-2, 190 15 — Stephen Miller, 6-3, 17516 — Brock Berglund, 6-3, 190 45 — Matt Corral, 5-11, 200 44 — Cameron Gray, 5-10, 180

Valor Christian

No. Player Position Grade Height Weight2. Ryan Nu’u WR/DB senior 6-2 1903. Michael Kortz QB soph. 5-9 1604. Matt Hausbeck WR/DB junior 6-2 1955. Carzell Vickers WR/DB junior 6-3 1806. Cody Thibault QB soph. 6-0 1657. Jack Ramirez QB junior 6-4 2-58. Sackett Keesen WR/LB junior 6-2 1809. Taylor Brown WR/DB junior 6-0 18510. Braxton Peats RB/DB soph. 5-6 15011. Michael Miller QB/TE senior 6-4 19512. Cody Allen QB/DB soph. 5-9 16013. Preston Knight TE/LB soph. 6-1 19514. Maxwell McCaffrey WR/DB soph. 6-1 16515. Stephen Miller WR soph. 6-3 17516. Brock Berglund QB junior 6-3 19017. Cole Anderson WR/LB junior 6-3 18019. Kenese Jo WR/DB soph. 5-7 16020. Alex Gildon DB junior 6-3 16021. Evan Mori RB/DB soph. 5-7 17022. Jennis Thompson WR/DB soph. 5-6 140 23. Michael Mann TE/DE soph. 6-3 19024. Preston Mann LB senior 6-1 180 25. Jason Palser QB/DB soph. 5-10 170 27. Alex Axlund WR/DB soph. 5-10 15529. Taylor Yancey WR/K soph. 6-4 20031. Jared Ward RB junior 5-10 16533. Stanley Gilbert RB/DL fresh. 6-1 26034. Andrew Pint RB/LB soph. 6-1 20036. Lelen Lang RB/DB soph. 5-8 16040. A.J. Isenburg RB/LB soph. 5-8 17541. Josh Kamrass WR/DB soph. 6-0 17042. George Talanoa RB/DE junior 5-11 23044. Cameron Gray RB/LB fresh. 5-10 180 45. Matt Corral FB/LB senior 5-10 19550. Kurt Houser OL/LB soph. 5-10 17552. Jacob Garramone OL/LB soph. 5-9 180 53. Danny Ramirez OL/DT senior 6-2 27055. Mitch Magee OL/DT junior 5-10 190 56. Blake Allen OL/DE junior 6-2 190 57. Chris Allen LB senior 5-8 180 60. Zach Mayo RB/LB fresh. 5-8 15562. Sam Grizzle OL senior 6-2 20564. Connor Kuckelman OL/DE senior 6-0 17565. Alex Hinesley OL/DT soph. 6-0 210 67. Corey Adcock OL/DL soph. 5-8 240 70. Andrew Challenger OL/DE soph. 6-1 20573. Aaron Melton OL soph. 5-9 23575. Alex Kozan OL/DL soph. 6-3 27576. Peter Kluth OL junior 6-2 230 77. Sione Maumau OL/DT fresh. 5-10 21081. Carlos Aviles RB/LB fresh. 5-9 16582. Jerel Sangster WR/DB soph. 5-6 14084. Blake Froistad TE/LB junior 6-1 180

44

45

1615 2

84 75 65 62 73 53

5365 525

1231 51 23

825

24

G G

Class 3A state final starting lineupsMascot: EaglesLeague: Metro LeagueSeason record: 13-0Head coach: Brent Vieselmeyer


4 0

▲

3 0

▲

2 0

▲

1 0

▲

4 05 0

3 02 0

1 0G

G

▲

▲

▲

▲

4 3

0

▲

2 0

▲

1 0

▲

4 5

03

02

01

0G

G

▲

▲

▲

▲

4

4 04 0

▲

4

4 04 0

Steamboat offense No. Player Height Weight65 — Carl Steele, 6-0, 210 73 — Andy Aranyosi, 6-0, 18560 — Tanner Anderson, 5-11, 185 53 — Darian Buelter, 6-0, 19566 — Drew Dummit, 6-1, 185 5 — Jack Spady, 6-3, 18025 — Dylan Pivarnik, 5-10, 150 8 — Jack Verploeg, 6-2, 18031 — Cody Harris, 6-2, 200 7 — Austin Hinder, 6-5, 18524 — Joe Dover, 5-11, 185

Valor defense No. Player Height Weight42 — George Talanoa, 5-11, 23053 — Danny Ramirez, 6-2, 27033 — Stanley Gilbert, 6-1, 26023 — Michael Mann, 6-3, 19034 — Andrew Pint, 6-1, 20040 — A.J. Isenburg, 5-8, 175 8 — Sackett Keesen, 6-2, 180 20 — Alex Gildon, 6-3, 160 9 — Taylor Brown, 6-0, 18541 — Josh Kamrass, 6-0, 17021 — Evan Mori, 5-7, 170

No. Player Position Grade Height Weight3. Connor Landusky RB/LB junior 6-1 1855. Jack Spady WR/DB senior 6-3 1807. Austin Hinder QB senior 6-5 1858. Jack Verploeg WR/LB senior 6-2 180 11. Jake Miller QB/LB soph. 5-11 160 12. Michael Savory QB/LB junior 6-1 16518. Lucas Stover WR/DB senior 5-9 145 19. Michael Yost QB/LB fresh. 5-9 16020. Evan Hornstein RB/DB soph. 5-7 14521. Jackson Coe RB/DB junior 5-7 140 22. Peter Schuette WR/DB junior 5-10 15523. Bryce Mayo TE/LB senior 5-11 180 24. Joe Dover RB/DB senior 5-11 18525. Dylan Pivarnik RB/DB senior 5-10 150 29. Kevin Gower WR/DB junior 5-11 15531. Cody Harris TE/LB senior 6-2 200 39. Tyler Samlowski RB/LB senior 5-6 15550. Jacob Manning OL/DL soph. 6-3 220 51. Mitch Lekarczyk OL/LB senior 6-0 18052. Keenan Starbuck OL/DL senior 6-3 18553. Darian Buelter OL/DL senior 6-0 19558. Jeff Sloan OL/LB junior 6-0 180 59. Tucker Allen OL/LB junior 5-9 170 60. Tanner Anderson OL/LB junior 5-11 185 62. Hunter Willis OL/LB senior 6-0 175 65. Carl Steele OL/DL senior 6-0 210 66. Drew Dummit OL/DL junior 6-1 18567. Rusty Andres OL/DL junior 5-5 20570. Jakob Voigt OL/DL junior 6-3 19573. Andy Aranyosi OL/DL senior 6-0 18584. Sam Robards WR/DB junior 5-11 14589. Ben Custer TE/DL fresh. 6-0 165.

Steamboat Springs

724

8

31 66 53 60 73 65 25

5

20 42 53 33 239

34 40 8

41 21

G G

Class 3A state final starting lineups

Steamboatpilot.com to provide live video game streamCan’t make it to Denver for Saturday’s state champi-onship game between Steamboat Springs and Valor Christian? That’s OK. Steamboatpilot.com will bring the game to you. Log on to Steamboatpilot.com at 2:30 p.m. Saturday for a live video stream of the game. You also can follow @steamboatpilot on Twitter for live scoring updates throughout Saturday’s contest.

Mascot: SailorsLeague: Western Slope LeagueSeason record: 13-0Head coach: Aaron Finch


As Steamboat Springs coach Aaron Finch goes over how this football team earned its

spot in the state championship game, it starts far earlier than a Zero Week

game with Holy Family. As with most teams,

it began in the weight room. But look back even further, and it began two years ago during a game at Kent Denver.

That’s when these seniors were sopho-mores, and Finch saw the athletic ability that could make this 2009 team special.

Add in huge contributions from the junior class, and things just seemed to fall into place.

“The seniors have a way about them with the way they treat each other,” Finch said. “They have higher expecta-tions for each other.”

And with this season, a 13-0 cam-paign, Finch said certain points in the season truly defined this team.

The Holy Family game showed what the offense was capable of. The next week against Delta, however, proved to be a major turning point.

After going up 17-0, Steamboat let Delta score 13 second-quarter points.

“We’ve had one bad quarter, and that was that quarter,” Finch said. “After that, no matter who we were

playing, no matter how far ahead we were, we just kept playing.”

After two easy wins against Montezuma-Cortez and Eagle Valley, Steamboat faced off with Palisade. Despite falling behind 14-7 early, Steamboat outscored Palisade, 21-7, in the second half to get the win.

The win was the first significant one against a good opponent that Steamboat had in a couple of years.

It also showed the team’s fortitude. “That game, our composure didn’t

change one bit,” Finch said. “There was a calmness about our approach that didn’t change one bit.”

Steamboat won its next four games by a combined score of 198-48, setting up a showdown with Glenwood Springs for the Western Slope League title.

That was a game that defined the season. It was back and forth, and in the end, Steamboat prevailed, 30-21, setting the team up for a run in the playoffs.

“This was a group that has never beat (Glenwood). They were the defending champs. There was a tough-ness we played in with both teams,” Finch said. “Of the moments in my head, that was one where I said, ‘OK, we’re ready to get into the playoffs.’”

After being seeded fourth in the playoffs, Steamboat has found ways to win. The defense has played lights-

out in all three playoff games, and the offense played up to its capabilities in a 35-7 semifinal win against No. 1 Pueblo Central.

“We preach it every year and say, ‘Oh, we’ll do it,’” Finch said. “But this is a team that endures adversity really well. You just try as a coach and a team to do what you can to create something magical.”

Steamboat game-by-game recap ■ Aug. 29: Steamboat 41, Holy Family 21Any questions about the validity of Steamboat quarterback Austin Hinder as one of the top prep players in the state were quickly answered during the season’s first game for the Sailors. Hinder was 20 of 29 passing for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for a score in a game where Steamboat outgained Holy Family, 402 yards to 282. ■ Sept. 11: Steamboat 36, Delta 27 Behind three Joe Dover rushing touchdowns, Steamboat built a big first-quarter lead en route to winning the first Western Slope League game of the season. ■ Sept: 18: Steamboat 49, Montezuma-Cortez 6 Darian Buelter’s interception in the end zone high-lighted a dominating Steamboat performance. Dover scored two touchdowns and Hinder had a pair of his own as the Sailors outgained the Panthers, 419 yards to 127. ■ Sept. 25: Steamboat 42, Eagle Valley 12 Steamboat came out fast and blitzed to a 42-0 half-time lead. Among the scores were a punt return from Dover and a 65-yard interception return from Bryce Mayo. ■ Oct. 2: Steamboat 28, Palisade 21In the team’s first real test of 2009, Steamboat out-scored rival Palisade, 21-7, in the second half to estab-lish itself as the favorite in the Western Slope League. Hinder again had a big day, going 23 of 28 for 259 yards and a touchdown. ■ Oct. 9: Steamboat 34, Rifle 0 After a scoreless first quarter, Steamboat put up 21 points in the second quarter and tacked on two more scores in the second half to roll to an easy win. Dover had another monster game, catching a touchdown pass, running for two touchdowns and returning an interception 86 yards for a touchdown. ■ Oct. 16: Steamboat 61, Battle Mountain 21 Hinder and Dover combined for 330 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Both players also threw touch-down passes. Dylan Pivarnik caught a touchdown pass, and Jack Spady returned an interception for a touchdown. ■ Oct. 23: Steamboat 42, Moffat County 14Rival Moffat County’s early 7-0 lead put a spark in the Sailors, who scored 28 second-quarter points. Dover rushed for four scores on the night. Steamboat’s defense held the Bulldogs to 263 yards of offense. ■ Oct. 30: Steamboat 58, Buena Vista 13 In a rematch of the 1979 state championship game, Steamboat again came out on top. The Sailors outgained the Demons, 481 yards to 138, including churning out 333 yards on the ground. Steamboat led 51-0 at halftime. ■ Nov. 6: Steamboat 30, Glenwood Springs 21 The last game of the regular season was also a battle for the Western Slope League championship, and it provided the venue for Dover’s most complete game of the year. He caught a touchdown pass, blocked a field goal, picked off a pass, completed a pass, rushed for 124 yards, made 17 tackles and had a key fourth-down conversion on a fake punt. Playoffs■ First round, Nov. 13: Steamboat 24, Berthoud 13Steamboat’s offense is one of the most heralded in the state, but it was the team’s defense that won the opening round of the Class 3A state playoffs. Steamboat’s offense had a season-low output of 250 yards, but the defense created three turnovers and helped the Sailors jump out to a 24-0 lead through three quarters. ■ Quarterfinals, Nov. 21: Steamboat 31, Windsor 7 For the second game in a row, Steamboat’s defense was downright nasty. Facing an option attack, Steam-boat held Windsor to just 172 yards and created four turnovers. After the Wizards took an early 7-0 lead, Steamboat poured it on in the final three quarters. ■ Semifinals, Nov. 28: Steamboat 35, Pueblo Central 7 Steamboat was outsized, but the Sailors used their speed and skill to easily advance to the state cham-pionship game. Hinder threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns, and Dover rushed for two touchdowns and Pivarnik ran for one. Defensively, Steamboat limited the much bigger Pueblo Central team to just 288 yards and left more than 4,000 Wildcats fans wondering what happened to the No. 1 seed.

MAtt StenSlAnd/StAff

Steamboat Springs High School quarterback Austin Hinder celebrates during the final seconds of Steamboat’s Nov. 6 win against Glenwood Springs High School — a win that earned the Sailors the Western Slope League title.

Roots of success run deep

Story by Luke

Graham

MAtt StenSlAnd/StAff

Steamboat senior Dylan Pivarnik tries to deflect a pass during the second half of Steamboat’s Nov. 21 game against Windsor.


Valor Christian High School football coach Brent Vieselmeyer doesn’t like to lie.

So when the second-year head coach talks about being in the state champion-

ship for the first time in school history, he tells people he’s as surprised as anyone. Especially considering how the team’s inaugural 2008 season went.

“We anticipated better,” Vieselmeyer said about the Eagle’s 4-6 record last year, its first season of varsity football.

But to go from a losing record in Year 1 to an undefeated season and state championship appearance in Year 2?

“To tell you (I thought) we’d be playing in the state championship game, I’d be lying to you,” he said.

But when Vieselmeyer looks at his team and the 13 victories that have come before Saturday’s state champi-onship game with Steamboat Springs, it’s not hard for him to find where the season went right. As he tells it, it began much sooner than Week 1.

With a school that opened in High-lands Ranch in 2007, Vieselmeyer went into 2008’s maiden season with a group of mostly freshmen and sophomores.

“Last year we came in, and when we walked on the field, it looked like it

was men among boys,” he said. “It was scary what we were going against.”

The Eagles, however, scratched out four wins, providing a catalyst for the 2009 campaign. Vieselmeyer said as a team, the Eagles decided in the offsea-son to dedicate themselves to improv-ing. How much, he wasn’t sure.

But with Metro League bully D’Evelyn first up on the schedule this season, Vieselmeyer knew he’d quickly find out about his team.

D’Evelyn made the semifinals of the Class 3A playoffs in 2008 and beat

Valor’s stellar season started long ago

Jeff CASPerSen/Glenwood SPrinGS PoSt indePendent

Valor Christian junior quarterback Brock Berglund fires off a pass during the Eagles’ Nov. 21 Class 3A state quarterfinal football game against visiting Glenwood Springs.

Valor game-by-game recap ■ Sept. 3: Valor 14, D’Evelyn 13The Eagles trailed 13-7 at halftime, and picked up the victory on George Talanoa’s 1-yard touchdown run with 5:16 left in the game. Although early in the season, the game signaled a significant turning point for Valor. ■ Sept. 12: Valor 48, Alameda 7Valor led 27-7 at halftime and scored 21 points in the third quarter to run away with the victory. Junior quarterback Brock Berglund had two rushing touch-downs to go along with his three passing scores. ■ Sept. 18: Valor 21, Conifer 6Berglund threw three touchdown passes, and the Eagles defense dominated. Valor limited Conifer to 204 yards of offense. Tight end Blake Froistad caught three touchdowns, and the defense created three fumbles. ■ Sept. 25: Valor 42, Evergreen 14Valor was dominant defensively, recovering two fum-bles, picking off two passes and collecting six sacks. Berglund threw three touchdowns and ran for another. ■ Oct. 2: Valor 41, Centaurus 19Centaurus led 13-7 after the first quarter, and the game was tied at 13 at the half. Valor held a 20-19 lead going into the fourth quarter before erupting for 21 unan-swered points. Berglund ran for two touchdowns, and Jared Ward, Talanoa and Matt Corral each had one. ■ Oct. 9: Valor 48, Skyview 0It was complete Valor dominance. The Eagles held Skyview to 121 yards of offense and got touchdowns from six players. ■ Oct. 16: Valor 62, Englewood 0It was over in a flash. The Eagles scored 35 first-quarter points and led 48-0 at halftime. The team limited Englewood to 137 yards of offense. Eleven Eagles rushed the ball and Valor blocked two punts — one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Story by Luke

Graham

See Valor recap, page 14See Valor, page 14


Valor twice by a combined score of 98-14 that season.

But in Week 1, the Eagles beat the Jaguars, 14-13.

“I think it was a lot of the things,” said Rod Sherman, Valor athletic director and offensive coordinator. “There was lead-ership of the staff. Going from 4-6 to a position we are in this week shows Brent’s character, fortitude and leadership. I mean, as a defense coordinator, he never lost more than two games in a season in California. To go from last year’s season to here speaks volumes.”

From there, things just started to snowball.

The Eagles won their next six games by a combined score of 262-46. In Week 8, the team beat Elizabeth, 21-14, to remain perfect.

A 59-12 win against Ridgeview Academy set up another Week 10 show-down with D’Evelyn for the rights to the Metro League Championship and a guaranteed top-four seed in the playoffs.

This time, however, Valor would be at a distinct disadvantage. The Eagles would be without their starting quarterback, top running back and top wide receiver.

Valor took a 12-7 lead into halftime and a 15-7 lead into the fourth quarter. D’Evelyn cut it to 15-13 with 6 minutes, 46 seconds left. Backup quarterback Michael Miller scored on a 30-yard

touchdown run to put the lead to 22-13. D’Evelyn added a touchdown with 1:16 left to cut it to 22-20, but that was all the Jaguars would get.

“We’ve had a great deal of injuries,” Vieselmeyer said. “It’s not an excuse, but I think those two D’Evelyn games were the biggest turning points for us as a team. It helped us realize we could play with anybody.”

That’s certainly been the case in the playoffs. But maybe more so, it’s that the Eagles have proven they can win in a multitude of ways.

The team’s offense was crucial in

the first two rounds, helping Valor beat Cañon City, 45-13, and Glenwood Springs, 51-28.

In each win, junior quarterback Brock Berglund showed his versatility. Against Cañon City, Berglund passed for 109 yards and rushed for 223 and four touchdowns.

A week later against Glenwood, Berglund completed 21 of 30 passes for 380 yards and six touchdowns.

In the semifinals, Valor’s defense held Mountain View to 183 yards of total offense and got a punt return for a touch-down from freshman Cameron Gray.

Valor continued from 13

Eagles have proven they can win in different ways■ Oct. 23: Valor 21, Elizabeth 14Valor controlled the game but had to wade through a late fourth-quarter charge from Elizabeth to hang on for the win. Ryan Nu’u’s 45-yard touchdown catch from Berglund midway through the third quarter proved to be the difference. ■ Oct. 31: Valor 59, Ridgeview Academy 12Valor jumped out 28-0 in the first quarter and steam-rolled Ridgeview Academy behind four touchdowns from Berglund. The Eagles were again good on special teams, blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown. ■ Nov. 6: Valor 22, D’Evelyn 20 In a game to decide the Metro League title and see who would get a top-four seed in the playoffs, Valor showed its depth. Even without Berglund or its top receiver and top running back, Valor was able to pull out the victory. The Eagles led just 15-13 in the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Michael Miller scampered in from 30 yards out to give Valor a 22-13 lead with 2:38 left. Playoffs■ First round, Nov. 13: Valor 45, Cañon City 13Up just 12-7 at halftime, Valor outscored Cañon City 20-6 in the third quarter and 13-0 in the fourth quarter to run away with the win. Berglund had four rushing touchdowns, and freshman Cameron Gray had two. ■ Quarterfinals, Nov. 21: Valor 51, Glenwood Springs 28Berglund was magnificent in helping Valor build a 35-7 halftime lead. The junior was 21 of 30 for 380 yards and six touchdown passes. He also added a rushing touchdown. Nine receivers caught passes, with Stephen Miller and Froistad each going for more than 100 yards receiving. ■ Semifinals, Nov. 28: Valor 21, Mountain View 7 Valor’s defense limited Mountain View to 183 yards of offense, and the Eagles showed how complete a team they are. Gray returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown. The freshman also scored one on the ground to go along with a Talanoa rushing touch-down.

Valor recap continued from 13

Valor Christian Opponent212 First Downs 161469-2,917 Rushes-Yards 443-1,567116-198-6 Comp-Att-Int 120-268-152,268 Yards Passing 1,4685,185 Total Yards 3,03532-31.5 Punts-Avg. 68-2927-13 Fumbles-lost 31-2093-876 Penalties-Yards 64-519

SCORE BY QUARTERSOpponent 40-39-33-41—153Valor Christian 164-121-115-95—495

■ RushingBrock Berglund 104-842, 13 TD; George Talanoa 82-435, 7 TD; Matt Corral 66-407, 1 TD; Jared Ward 49-349, 5 TD; Michael Miller 36-157, 4 TD; Ryan Nu’u 27-167; Cameron Gray 27-164, 4 TD; Ty Scott 13-69, 1 TD; Stanley Gilbert 2-6; Andrew

Pint 5-10, 1 TD; Lelen Lang 5-28; Braxton Peats 12-151, 2 TD; Carzell Vickers 5-45; Carlos Aviles 4-49, 1 TD; Evan Mori 4-13; Michael Kortz 3-46; Jack Ramirez 2-4; Cody Thibault 1-30; Maxwell McCaffrey 1-18.

■ PassingBerglund 100-170-4, 2,027 yards, 26 touchdowns; Michael Miller 12-18-2, 168 yards, 1 TD; Taylor Brown 1-1-0, 59 yards; Ramirez 3-6-0, 28 yards, Thibault 1-1-0, 4 yards.

■ ReceivingNu’u 13-376, 4 TD; Vickers 10-164, 1 TD; Sackett Keesen 12-133; Brown 13-317, 4 TD; Peats 2-30; Michael Miller 8-67, 1 TD; Preston Knight 1-4; McCaffrey 4-44, 2 TD; Stephen Miller 6-143, 1 TD; Cole Anderson 1-7; Ward 6-124, 3 TD; Lang 2-45; Talanoa 2-12, 1 TD; Gray 1-10; Corral 10-89; Blake Froistad 21-505, 9 TD.

Valor Christian season statistics

Your FamilyLoves You

CongratulationsOn A GR8 Season. Crush ‘Em

Jack Verploeg!

Routt County (970) 879-1504

Steamboat - Hayden - Craig - Oak Creek - Yampa

Routt County (970) 879-1504Routt County (970) 879-1504


GO SAILORS GO Bring Home

The TitleWe’re Proud of

You!

102 Anglers Drive (Next to Kum & Go) 970-879-5273 www.petkareclinic.com

Mobile Pet Kare CliniCwith Advanced Appointment

Mon-Thur 8am-8pm | Fri 8am-5pm | Saturday 9am-NoonSunday Emergencies only

24 Hour Emergency Care 879-5273

Offering compassionate quality care for yourcompanion animal, pocket pets and Exotics

Advanced Diagnostic ToolsSurgery - Acupuncture

Dentistry & Dental Radiology Laparoscopy - Ultrasound

• Wellness Exams• Vaccinations

• Acupuncture• Blood-Work

• Private, Gentle Euthanasia

Go Sailors! Congratulations!We Support the Sailors

all the way!


SteamboatHotSHotS/courteSy

The 2009 Steambat Springs High School football team is, back row, from left: Coach Mike McCannon, coach Mike Appel, coach Lance Pugh, coach David May, Carl Steele, Andy Aranyosi, Kevin Gower, Jack Verploeg, Michael Savory, Jacob Manning, Austin Hinder, Jack Spady, Keenan Starbuck, Connor Landusky, Cody Harris, Hunter Willis, Jakob Voigt, Ben Custer, coach Aaron Finch, coach Seth Ball and coach Corey Heinz. Middle row, from left: Coach Steve DeLine, coach Jerry Stabile, Joe Dover, Darian Buelter, Mitch Lekarczyk, Bryce Mayo, Drew Dummit, Dylan Pivarnik, Sam Robards, Tanner Anderson, Jeff Sloan, Peter Schuette, coach Lonn Clementson and manager Nicolas Hessenberger. Front row, from left: Lucas Stover, Tucker Allen, Tyler Samlowski, Jackson Coe, Rusty Andres, Evan Hornstein, Michael Yost and Jake Miller.

Go Sailors From the Team at

Johnson & Johnson Physical Therapy that helps keep you

on the Field!

Johnson & Johnson879.4558 Physical Therapy, Inc.

Russell’s Auto Salon

Phone: 970-879-1515Fax: 970-879-1516

POB 772963 • 1850 Lincoln Ave.Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

Go Sailors! Win State!


Ya got to rock with the REDand roll with the WHITE!

GOOD LUCKSailors and Sailor Cheerleaders

at your State Competitions

20546426

Congratulations Sailors!

Your hard work, courage and discipline have earnedyou a place in the final championship game.

Now gut determinationwill help you reach your goal.

We’re proud of you and wish you best of luck in your quest.

the carpet shoppeQuality Since 1969

Located at 2754 Downhill Drive, Steamboat Springs 879-1658M-F 8-5

Evenings and Weekends by appointment Please visit us on the web at www.steamboatcarpet.com

BOOKSTORE, COFFEEHOUSE, & BAKERY CAFE

68 9TH STREET BEHIND FUZZIWIG’S 970.879.6830MON-SAT 8 AM - 9 PM SUN 9 AM - 6 PM

CONGRATULATIONS

SAILORS ON A

GREAT SEASON!


Clementson leading the charge on defenseLonn Clementson doesn’t pretend

to know everything about foot-ball.

As he sees it, he’s still green, and he still has a lot to learn.

But since Clementson moved from Minnesota to Steam-boat Springs in 1971, he’s

been hellbent on learning everything he can about the game of football.

Now, after years of perfecting his trade, Clementson — the assis-tant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Steamboat Springs High School football team — has his group in the state championship game.

He deflects attention and credit. But as unheralded a group as he had com-ing into the season, the defense has proven to be one of the biggest differ-ences in the storybook run to the Class 3A state title game.

It’s a defense that’s undersized and doesn’t have a big name on it. They’ve heard they’re too small to compete with bigger teams.

But as the small-statured Clementson

did during his playing career, Steamboat’s defense always seems to play bigger.

“We’ve all played up. The men-tality among the defensive staff is

we’ve always played up,” Clementson said between film sessions Tuesday. “Our defense is not intimidated by things they can’t control, like the other team’s size. In any kind of a competition or street fight or whatever, you have to perform or you lose. These kids are like dogs. They don’t under-stand the other people are different size. It’s not just defense; it’s the team. They’ve always had each other’s back.”

Clementson graduated from Steamboat Springs as an all-league defensive back in 1985. From there, he played as a defensive back at Colorado College.

With aspirations to be a doctor or pediatrician, Clementson was at a cross-roads. He wasn’t sure whether the medi-cal field was for him. He was a player-coach on a semi-pro team in 1993, before plying his trade as a carpenter.

He was the defensive backs coach in Steamboat in 1996, before finally real-izing he wanted to coach.

“Coaching is teaching and teaching is coaching,” Clementson said. “I fell in love with that aspect.”

So he went back to school at Mesa State College in Grand Junction to get his teaching degree. While there, he was a graduate assistant under Joe Ramunno.

It was there he learned the most

about football. Under Ramunno — who had just come off four straight state titles with Palisade — Clementson learned more about the game.

He came back to Steamboat and was the defensive coordinator in 2000 and 2001. He took a year off, and the

STORY BY LUKE

GRAHAM

JoHN F. ruSSeLL/StaFF

Defensive coordinator Lonn Clementson talks with his players after a short walkthrough Monday evening at Gardner Field.

See Clementson, page 19

“These kids are like dogs. They don’t understand the other people are different size. It’s not just defense; it’s the team. They’ve always had each other’s back.”

Lonn ClementsonSailors defensive coordinator

B.T.K. Surveys, IncJudy BlakeBrian Kelly

Samantha Kelly

Good Luck Sailors!

Win State!Congratulations on a

Great Year!Best of Luck!

from the crew at Bob’s Downtown

CONOCO924 Lincoln Ave

Steamboat Springs. CO879-9735

Bring out the Champion in yourself!

Do CrossFit!

www.fusionfi tsteamboat.com

970-870-1444

970-879-2800 www.goalpine.com

SAILORS

Way to go, Sailors!!!

970-879-2639

Steamboat’s Best Body Shop

CUSTOM COLOR

“Striving in excellence”

Good Luck Bryce

GOSAILORS!

#23

ChampúHA IR S TUD IORiverside Plaza

879-4900

CONGRATULATIONS!

Dr. Schwartz • Dr. Diehl • Dr. Comeau1475 Pine Grove Road, Suite 107

879-1959

Your official supplier ofUnder Armour Performance Mouthwear

Yampa Valley Electric, your local electric cooperative and proud sponsor of Sailor Football.

Yampa Valley Electric AssociationSteamboat Springs 879-1160 • Craig 824-6593

proud sponsor of Sailor Football.

Just GO FOR IT!!There’s no game next week.

35 11th Street • 879-4754

SAILORSROCK!

Go S

ailo

rs!


Steamboat head coaching position came open.

He applied and was one of the final two candidates, with current Steamboat coach Aaron Finch.

Finch got the job and asked Clementson if he would be willing to adjust from his days of a 4-4 to a 3-5.

Clementson said yes. “The reality is we are truly a

staff,” Finch said. “There is no way we’d be having the success as a program without him. He is my right and left hand. He’s helped all these guys.”

Clement-son’s defenses have always been near the top statistically. This season, they’re giving up 245 yards and 14 points per game.

In the playoffs it’s even more impressive, as Steamboat has given up just nine points a game.

Part of that is the play-ers have been in the system for so long. But another big part of that has been

Clementson’s steady presence as a coach.

“I’ll go back to when I first met Clem my freshman year,” senior defen-sive lineman Carl Steele said. “I instant-

ly knew he was a great guy. But as a coach he’s progressed each and every year. He’s been at his best all week, watching film. He works so hard because he works for us. He’s one of my favorite

guys. I’ll remember him always.”

— To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229 or e-mail

[email protected]

Clementson continued from 18

Clementson adjusted to 3-5 setup

Steamboat Springs defensive coordinator Lonn Clementson has the Sailors defense ready to take on the Valor Christian Eagles in the Class 3A state title game Saturday. (John F. Russell/Staff)

coach Aaron Finch. Finch got the job and asked

Clementson if he would be willing to adjust from his days of a 4-4 to a 3-5.

Clementson said yes. “The reality is we are truly a

staff,” Finch said. “There is no way we’d be having the success as a program without him. He is my right and left hand.

This season, they’re giving up 245 yards and 14 points per game.

In the playoffs it’s even more impressive, as Steamboat has given up just nine points a game.

Part of that is the play-ers have been in the system for so long. But another big part of that has been

as a coach he’s progressed each and every year. He’s been at his best all week, watching film. He works so hard because he works for us. He’s one of my favorite

guys. I’ll remember him always.”

— To reach Luke Graham,

[email protected]

Steamboat Springs defensive coordinator Lonn Clementson has the Sailors defense ready to take on the Valor Christian Eagles in the Class 3A state title game Saturday. (John F. Russell/Staff)

Go Get “em!

Victoryis yours

Steamboat’s PrimaryCare Clinic

Open 7 days a week

879-0203

Pediatrics • Internal MedicineFamily Practice • Sports MedicineFAA Physicals • Wellness Exams

Thanksfor a greaT

season

Take it to the house one last time!

I know you can Spady!

Good Luck onSaturday

Medicine & Surgery879-1041 • 1878 Lincoln Ave.

Steamboat Springs, CO

Saturday

970-879-3253970-846-1896 cell

Take no prisoners! Way to go Sailors!

“IN BOCCA AL LUPO”, SAILORS!GOOD LUCK, SAILORS!

NOW OPEN AT 700 YAMPA ST

Mountain Valley Bank

Congratulations Sailors!

Rope ‘Em... Tie ‘Em and Brand ‘Em!

Melissa Baumgartner, MSPTChriss Parks, PT

879-7799 • Central Park Plaza

Good LuckSailors!

Go Sailors!

Lettunich & Vanderbloemen, LLC

CongratulationsSailors!

Bring home the championship.

Steamboat 700

Take

sta

te


Documents

Steamboat Sailors football: Title Hunt