MEEKER | It is a theme this year for Cowboy sports: large teams with a ton of upperclassmen. The Cowboy football team is no different.
With a large team comes the need for a great coaching staff and head coach Andy Coryell is returning his full staff for the second year. Matt Scott works with both the offensive and defensive lines, Darby Finley offensive line, Matt Dupire receivers, Pete Doan runningbacks and Coryell quarterbacks.
There are 15 seniors returning to the team.
“This is a large class not just in size but physically, “ commented Coryell. “They are so big we have moved some players around and our line is going to be very strong.”
Seniors Judd Harvey, Teagan Sheridan and Brendan Clatterbaugh are the most experienced on the team and will be returning as three-year starters and leaders on the team both offensively and defensively.
“When you have kids on the team that have played with you for so long at the varsity level, they know what to do. Combine that with such a large group of seniors, many who have multiple years starting, it allows you to focus on a theme each week and compete well,” said Coryell.
As second year starters, seniors Hayden Shults, Noah LeBlanc, Jacob Blazon, Jace Mobley, Ryan Sullivan and Jacob Simonsen will look to enhance the leadership of the team.
Those with tons of experience are seniors Ethan Quinn, Tate Kerchel, Coleton Newman, Wyatt Powers, Tanner Goodwin and Cooper Michels.
The Cowboys will host North Fork in their first competition of the year on Friday, Aug. 25.
“North Fork is returning their quarterback and his brother,” said Coryell.
The Miners have nine seniors on the team this year, led by Hunter Moreno and his twin brother Hayden Moreno. The quarterback and wide receiver pair will look to run the offense which lost a large portion of its line to graduation last year.
“There are always kids in that district that can fill in whenever those teams need them down there, so even though they lost some size, they will still have size taking its place,” commented Coryell.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Starbucks stadium.
Coach Coryell wanted to let everyone know that this year there will be burgers served at the Cowboy Kickoff Classic Golf Tournament. The tournament continues to grow with the added cornhole tournament that follows golf and the silent auction, all benefiting the football program. This year there are auction items that include flying fish at Elk Creek, a round of golf for four at River Valley Ranch, handmade items by local artisans and donations from local businesses.
There is no need to play golf or cornhole, all members of the community are welcome to come out, have a burger, check out the silent auction and support the Cowboys.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
