TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO
MEEKER | The boys of fall are back. Meeker Cowboy football practice kicked off with two-a-days for the high school on Aug. 12. There are 43 boys out for football this year, six returning seniors: Kesston Hobbs, Tevin Pelloni, Cole Rogers, Coby Shelton, Jake Shelton, Colton Wille and Ridge Williams.
“Our first five days back we tried to focus on fundamentals and getting back into the swing of things,” commented head coach Shane Phelan. “Each season we build on what we have gone over in the past with the older guys this first week of practice to get them ready.” Phelan is in his 13th year of coaching and he has the same staff of assistant coaches returning for 2019 as he had in 2018: Andy Coryell, offensive coordinator and quarterback and linebacker coach; Darby Finley, offensive line and defensive backs and recruiting coordinator; Matt Scott, defensive and offensive line coach is in his third season; and Matt Dupire, wide receivers and defensive backs coach.
A first contact scrimmage was hosted last weekend in Meeker.
“The boys had to practice for five days before being allowed their first contact,” Phelan said. “The no contact rule was enacted in 2018 and Colorado High School Athletics Association held it over for 2019.”
The team will travel to Steamboat Saturday, Aug. 24 for a second scrimmage, giving the coaches an opportunity to see how the team is executing and and working together. “We are excited to get the season started and get these young guys out there going,” Phelan said.
The Cowboys wrapped-up 2018 in Limon, Colorado, with a heartbreaking loss in the second round of the playoffs; finishing the season strong with a final record of 7-3, two losses suffered by the hands of the Limon Badgers and one to Aspen. This year they are looking for redemption and will travel to Aspen the week of Sept. 13, then the following weekend will host Limon, their one and only regular season Saturday game.
The regular season begins in Hotchkiss Aug. 30, with kickoff at 7 p.m., this is a new addition to the schedule, to fill an open weekend leaving only one bye on the weekend of Sept. 27.
“It is always our goal to make it as far as possible into the postseason, but I take each game one at a time,” said Phelan
Friday is the annual Cowboy Kickoff Classic Golf Tournament. Registration is open until it begins, and Phelan encourages all Meeker Cowboy fans to come to the golf course in support of the boys. This tournament supports the football team by allowing it to travel to many away games and feed the boys, equipment such as helmets and pads, there are a lot of boys on the team this year, and new and improved equipment, keeping up with technology, is vital for the safety of the players. If golf is not your sport, you can join the team and golfers at the Meeker Golf Course Clubhouse beginning at 5 p.m. for the silent auction and ice cream social, all proceeds going to the team.
By Tiffany Jehorek | Special to the Herald Times
