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After quarterback Cole Sienknecht (10) passes the ball, Steve Jensen (12) holds back the athletes playing defense in a scrimmage during practice.

The football team is planning on succeeding more fully this season than they did last season. “We’re hoping to go to State Playoffs this year,” says Riley Manzo (12). In the 2013 season, the team got the feel of competing in the playoffs, and Manzo says that it would mean a lot to the team, coaches, and supporters if they could go back.

“We’re hoping for a great year with a strong senior class and a lot of talented players,” says head coach Monte Gutowski. Some of the key players on the team this year are Dominic Archuleta, who plays defensive back and running back, and Colt Seinknecht, who is an underclassman and will be the quarterback this season. Other key players are Bryce Coop (11), Riley Manzo (12), Jacob Rider (12), Wyatt Sedlacek (12), Bryce McMillan (12), Steven Jensen (12) and Chase Norman (12).

The team’s mantra this year is “Get it done”. “No matter what you’re doing, the team is what matters. And you have to work together to get it done,” says Bryce Coop (11). Competitiveness within the team is expected this season, though Manzo confirms it is motivational to the other athletes.”There’s a lot of good talent on the team this year. Everyone really has to work for that starting spot.”

Gutowski says that the team this year is very talented and he expects them to have no excuses and to complete every opportunity given to them. There are only two new faces on the team this year, Quinn Sanders (9) and Konner Kaltenbacher (9), and Gutowski says that they are doing well.

The season officially started August 17th, but athletes can currently still join the team. Captains have not been picked yet, but Manzo and Coop both said  that they’d like to attempt to be captain. The first home football game is Friday, September 11th against Woodland Park. Homecoming is October 9th against Florence.