THANK YOU COACH FICK

SaberCat Football will always be grateful for all that Clint Fick brought to the program. He inherited a program that had NEVER won a game and sent them to the second round of the playoffs in only his second year as the head coach. The players who played for him and the coaches who coached with him will always be appreciative of the positive atmosphere that Coach created around SaberCat Football. Coach left SaberCat Football in a much better place than where he found it and that we will always be thankful for. Best Wishes to Coach and his family as they enter into another chapter in their lives.

FINISH STONG

Most everything in life is about finishing strong. FINISHING STRONG displays a number of quality personality traits that will help you as you transition from your time on the gridiron into the classroom, the hardwood or the weight room. First you will show the COMMITMENT to finish what you have started. In our culture today many people find it very easy to walk away from situations when they get tough. By FINISHING STRONG you demonstrate that you have meant the challenges, reaped the rewards,( the amazing and painful) and saw your challenge though to the end. When FINISHING STRONG you must focus on detail. It is easy when your season is nearing an end to tail off and coast through the final practices. But a commitment to FINISHING STRONG will demand that you run every rep of the last practice week with the intent of having a tremendous game against Greeley Central. The Wildcats are a much improved team and will be hungry for a win. But if you approach this week with the sole focus of playing an outstanding game on Friday, I know you WILL.

Senior Night was Something Special

As I walked through the players locker room last night following the tremendous battle with the Loveland Indians I figured I would check on a few of my players who were banged up after the physical contest. The fellas I was looking for were a little battered and bruised but would be fine by tomorrow morning. I happened to stumble across a row of Seniors who had just played their final home game. What I saw gave me hope as a coach that this group of Seniors will leave a legacy of leadership and selflessness that will be passed down to SaberCats who follow in their footsteps. One Senior, a true WARRIOR was sobbing while another had his arm around his shoulder giving him a hug that only guys who have been though the battles together can give. Down the row there were three or four fellas still sitting in front of lockers silently putting their gear away while another was walking behind them giving them a tap on the shoulder and thanking them for being his teammate. Football seasons and high school careers are here and gone in the blink of an eye but the METAL that is forged in and between these young men will last a lifetime. Remember fellas, IRON SHARPENS IRON!

THANK YOU SENIORS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THIS YEAR!

BRANDON BAINER

DAMON BOWERS

KIRK EASTON

BEN KRAPES

KEEGAN LASLEY

JOHN MOORE

JOHNNY NGUYEN

LANDON OCHWAT

BEN PETERSEN

HAYDEN ROWLEY

BRENNEN SALZ

MIKE SCHUTTE

ADAM TARVER

ANTHONY TAYLOR

ANDREW VICTORA

TAYLOR WEST

Loveland Indians opponet for Blizzard Bowl II

The Loveland Indians will bring a tough, talented and well coached football team to Fort Collins Thursday night. The Indians have a long standing tradition of outstanding football teams. This is the kind of opponent that should bring out the BEST IN YOU. This is the kind of game that makes all the work you put in during the off season WORTH IT. No matter if we play on Thursday, Friday or Saturday or in a foot of snow, you have to come out and out hit them HIT FOR HIT. You must prepare yourself to play with great effort for all 48 minutes and more if need be. Decide in your heart that you will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to come off the field with a victory. Raise the level of your teammates play by being the BEST TEAMMATE you can be. Play FAST, TOUGH and SMART and good things will happen.

Huge SaberCat Thank You

Thank you to all the boosters who provided the players and coaches with everything on the trip. Everything from the breakfast burritos on our send off to the pizzas on the ride home was TREMENDOUS. There is a reason why we have such outstanding young men, they have outstanding parents. Thank you for always providing ABOVE AND BEYOND.

What it is all about

As a coach I could not have been prouder you than I was on Saturday afternoon. In the face of ALL TYPES of adversity you BATTLED, FOUGHT and NEVER GAVE UP. That was a game that I felt WITHOUT A DOUBT that you just ran out of time. The beauty of this game is that it mirrors life in so many ways. When things start to pile up on you, you return to the fundamentals: hard work, attention to detail and enthusiastic pursuit of the goal. That is what was taking place out there on the gridiron Saturday. Whatever piece of this season you take and carry with you on down the road KNOW THIS: When you had a chance to stay down, you brushed yourself off, picked yourself back up and NEVER EVER GAVE UP. That fellas IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!!

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Durango has made TREMENDOUS improvement in one year

Three blocked kicks in one game was outstanding: Big Schnee, Big Play Ben

Lando's catch on fourth down of the deflected pass was UNBELIEVABLE

I have NEVER SEEN a more beautiful setting for a football game: nestled in the canyon with the San Juan river running just beyond the bleachers

The hospitality from the Durango Crew (boosters, players, coaches) was first class

Jon "Big Game" Moore is finding the endzone to his liking

2 more minutes

It was AMAZING to see how many of the worlds greatest fans made the 400 mile drive

We are blessed to be a part of this

Undefeated Durango Demons Await

This weekend holds the opportunity to be one of the most memorable of your high school football careers. You get the chance to travel with your teammates through some of the most beautiful country on Earth, use this time to prepare yourself mentally and physically without the normal distractions, play an undefeated team and put yourself right back in the fight for a playoff spot. A victory over Durango would pay huge dividends in the CHSAA power poll rankings. The Demons are currently ranked 4th in Colorado. They have had the biggest turnaround in the state so far this season. But YOU ARE CAPABLE of coming out of Saturdays battle with a win. There is no bigger game this season than the one you are about to play. FOCUS ON THE MOMENT!! BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE, RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW!!

Broomfield Battle

You must be ready to seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Thursday night Broomfield recognized the importance of the game and responded with tough, disciplined and well executed game plan. Football seasons are short and BIG GAME opportunities are FEW. You played hard but Broomfield was intent on DOING WHATEVER it took to get the victory. Their line play was outstanding and their backs and receivers made the plays when they were called upon. We must learn take the lessons learned from this game and use them to become STRONGER and more DETERMINED. You have three games in front of you to determine the direction of this team. GIVE IT EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE and SEIZE the MOMENT, because IT IS UPON YOU.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Broomfield's offensive line was an outstanding well coached unit

A cover three corner CANNOT get beat deep

We must RUN TO THE BALL, EVERY SNAP

Big Broomfield Battle

Every time you win a game the next one gets BIGGER and MORE IMPORTANT, and this weeks game is a perfect example. You have played yourselves into a position to make this a KEY GAME in the Northern Conference standings. Broomfield is an outstanding program with a tradition of excellence in the state playoffs. The winner of this game will have a leg up in the race for a playoff spot. Thursday nights game presents a short week of practice, thus we must be FOCUSED and DISCIPLINED on the practice field and in the classroom. The Eagles will have no doubt have revenge on their minds after last years thriller in Broomfield. You must have confidence in your abilities and then be TOUGH enough to follow through. Use this week to prepare to GIVE IT YOUR ALL on Thursday night.

A SaberCat Thank You

We would like to thank all the parents and boosters for the tremendous pre game meals so far this season. From burritos to chicken fettucini alfredo they all have been AWESOME, and are greatly APPRECIATED! Your love and care you show for the Football program is the BEST!

Thank You!!

The Inaugural Fossil Ridge Blizzard Bowl

The inaugural Fossil Ridge Blizzard Bowl was a night to remember. During Pre Game warm ups the crisp fall evening was greeted with a blizzard that was last seen leaving Christmas Town in The Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer Christmas special. The offensive line was like a HUGE SNOW PLOW paving the way for our DETERMINED runners, all the while eating up yards, clock and Thompson Valley's will to play. Defensively you played with PASSION AND HEART. You RAN to the football and greeted the ball carriers the way you should. I think there was an outbreak of the GANG GREEN infection in Loveland last night. Congratulations Fellas on a TREMENDOUS TEAM VICTORY!!

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Coach Van's Boys were AWESOME: Marshall, Lasley, Tarver, Victora, Hougard, Hough and Ochwat were SNOW PLOWING

Hayden"the Playmaker" Rowley is a playing like a WARRIOR

#6 from TV is the most physically gifted High School football player I have ever seen

The Thompson Valley Homecoming theme last night was "The Arctic" : PRICELESS

say hello to GANG GREEN

John "the Hunter" Moore's one handed catch on fourth down was AWESOME

Michael" the Natural" Harrison, Caleb "Crash" Kroening, Damon"the Rock" Bowers and TyJen were TCB ( Taking Care of Business)

I could not help but to think that TV looked like HUGE Bumble Bees in those unis

It is all ways WARMER when you are up by thirty points

and a MASSIVE SABERCAT THANK YOU for ALL THE SABERCAT FANS THAT MADE TO THE END!!

Talented Thompson Valley

Do NOT be fooled by Thompson Valley's record, they are team that possesses some serious talent. We know all too well the kind of player they have in their backfield. They have been in most of their games and have just been on the wrong side of some tough breaks. The Eagles are hungry for a win and will be looking to get on the right track at our expense. You have played yourselves into a position to make the second half of the season exciting. But it will only be if you continue to win. You win by how you prepare yourselves this week in practice. Improving YOURSELF is the best way to help YOUR TEAM. Don't show up Friday Night in Loveland expecting to walk out on the field and dominate without putting in a GREAT WEEK OF PRACTICE. Continue to raise your intensity and commitment with each practice. See you on the practice field.

BLACK IS BACK

Some nights are made for football and last night was one of them. I don't know if it was the combination of a solid week of practice, the huge homecoming crowd or the black jerseys but you guys played one the best games by ANY SaberCat team EVER. The offense controlled the LOS and made big plays when they needed to. Defensively you came out and OUT HIT Niwot all night long. That will make for a long night for any team that you play. Congratulations on a great victory!!

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Jon "Big Game " Moore's TD run was POWERFUL

RIDGENATION WAS OUT IN FORCE

Micheal "The Natural" Harrison's scoop and score was a back breaker

Caleb "Crash" Kroening had the TRUCKSTICK activated

The SaberCat Marching Band is AWESOME

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL ( there is something about those BLACK JERSEYS)

LANDO had a great all around game TD's and Tackles

Congratulations to T. West (Homecoming King), you cant find a NICER young man for the honor

5 for 5 on PATs has to be a SaberCat Record

It was great to see some familiar faces: Salsbury, Adam, Sean and the rest of the Alumni

BLACKOUT AWAITS NIWOT

There is a game in every season where each team has the chance to determine the direction that they will head for the rest of the year. I believe that this is THAT GAME for the 2009 Fossil Ridge SaberCats. You have the opportunity to even up your record in the Northern Conference and enter the second half of the season with momentum. You were challenged this week to raise your level of INTENSITY in practice. Many times you ment the challange, others times not so much. Make no mistake, it will take a GREAT TEAM EFFORT to beat Niwot. But you ARE CAPABLE. One of the reasons I LOVE FOOTBALL, is because it is wonderful teacher of life lessons for those who play it and coach it. Great Character is the cumulative result when great pain and great disappointment intersect in a man with a teachable spirit. Use the lessons of the last two weeks to make you STRONGER on Friday Night.

Longmont Lessons Learned

Longmont came out of the gate ready to play and took the fight straight to you, and looked everything like the undefeated team that they are. We did not respond well in any facet of the game, offense, defense or specials. In the past two weeks you have played the top two teams in the Northern Conference. Both are physical, well coached teams that play the game the way it is meant to be played, fast, tough and smart. We need to learn from and build on these games to take us though the rest of the season. Everything you want to accomplish from this season is still ahead of you. But DO NOT miss the lessons learned from the past two weeks. Washington, Churchill, Truman,Van Gogh and even Elvis all failed and were told to give up their dreams. But they turned failures into lessons learned and went forward with intensified FOCUS on the goal. There is no shame in getting knocked down, (because in life WE ALL DO, AND WILL) but it is a disgrace to lie there. The beauty of football is that it gives you a chance to decide for yourself if you're going to "SHAKE IT OUT, WALK IT OFF AND GET BACK UP!"

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

The QB from Longmont is a HOSS

We must ATTACK DOWNHILL, NO RETREAT

Execute one play at time

TyJen is was all over the field

When you have the opportunity for THE BIG PLAY, it must be made

Fourth Downs are huge

Undefeated Trojans provide Thursday Nights opponent

Longmont is a traditional power in the Northern Conference and held the the Colorado State High School record of 45 straight wins during the 90's. ( just ask Coach Van) The team we will see Thursday night is a rugged bunch in the Trojan tradition. They look a lot like us ( Double Wing) and have started the season strong. They are led by returning Northern Conference player of the year in Jake Johnson. A hoss of a quarterback that reminds me a lot of Hollywood. They provide us with a chance to take a big step in the conference race with a win this week. It is a short week, thus every minute on the practice field will be important. You will need to bring your best this week to the classroom and on the gridiron. This is a BIG GAME, make no mistake this game there for the team that wants it the most. See you on the field.

Hard fought game Friday Night with #1 Spartans

It was a tough, hard fought game and the Spartans showed why they are the top team in Colorado. You played well enough in to take a lead into the second quarter, but made too many mistakes to beat an excellent team like West. The game did provide a solid measuring stick on the improvements that have been made in the weight room during the off season. You were able to bang with the Spartans. There were plenty of good things to take out of the game. Defense played well in the first half, and the offense put a few nice drives together against a rugged GW defense. You are a work in progress, and we must take advantage of every chance to grow and get better. This week will be no different. Here's to an awesome week of practice.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

"Touchdown" Taylor did it again with a BIG TIME pick six

Jon "The Hunter" Moore was money on the trap and has softer hands than I ever thought

It was cool to have CSU Head Coach Steve Fairchild on our sidelines

We have to ELIMINATE the penalties

Caleb Kroening GUTTED it out Friday on one leg and keeps getting better

NOBODY has blocked Beishied this year

The Greeley West program is a FIRST CLASS OUTFIT

You can play with ANYBODY

#1 Greeley West presents an AWESOME OPPROTUNITY

What more can you ask for then to have Colorado's #1 team team come for a visit this Friday night. The Spartans are loaded with All-Staters and are coming off an appearance in last years State Championship game. The Spartans program is a testament to hard work by both their coaches and players. This presents an AWESOME OPPROTUNITY to play your best,leave it ALL on the field and may the best team win. In sports that is what every competitor wants, the opportunity to measure yourself against the best. Lets have a GREAT week of practice and look forward to welcoming in the Spartans on Friday night.

SaberCats win Northern Confrence Opener

You came to play Saturday and made a strong statement about the kind of season you want to have. Offensively you moved the ball on the ground and through the air. The defense didn't allow a single point against them. The special teams showed great improvement from week one. Skyline has outstanding athletes but you came out early and executed the way you are capable of. Congratulations on a nice win.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Brennan is LEADING the O

THE D LINE was dominating people

Hayden "The Playmaker" Rowley continues to make big play after big play

Alex Marshall's catch on fourth down was AWESOME

Anthony "Touchdown" Taylor's scoop and score was BIG

The defense was ROCK SOLID

Physcial Falcons to visit the Fort

Saturdays match up will bring traditionally one of the most physical teams in the Northern Conference to French Field, The Skyline Falcons. You must be prepared to play 48 minutes of tough and aggressive football. The Falcons have a strong running attack and a big physical defense. It will take an outstanding effort to come out of Saturdays game with a victory. But I know you are up to the challenge. It has been a long and rough week of practice. Now you have a chance on Saturday to open up the Northern Conference with a victory. In a ten game season every game that you play is huge this one will be no different. See you on the field.

Tough Night in Windsor

Friday night's game is tough to write about even three days later, but it is over and new opponent awaits this Saturday. Windsor did what they needed to in the closing minutes to secure the victory. The Offense moved the ball all over the field and was only slowed by penalties. Defensively there were too many mistakes to overcome in the end. Strength does not come easy. When you go through hardship and decide to press on toward the goal, that is where real strength comes from.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Hayden "The Playmaker" Rowley was a workhorse

The defense has to play their assignments

Brennen Salz looked like a veteran

The Fossil Ridge Fans are AMAZING

#30 from Windsor ran the ball hard

It was great to Greg Rushing (All-State Safety 2007) at the game. Good Luck to Greg this season at UMASS where he will be a sophomore on the lacrosse team.

Windsor Wizard Week

The 2009 season starts off with a bang when we travel to Windsor to take on the Wizards Friday night. The 2009 Wizards are coming off their best season in years, and are expecting a huge Harvest Festival crowd. They are well coached and feature an explosive offense. It will take a commitment to detail this week during practice in preparation for the Wizards option offense. This is a huge opportunity to start the season off the way we want to. Come to the practice field and the classroom ready to work this week. Remember "KEEP PAYING THE PRICE, BECAUSE CHAMPIONS ALWAYS PAY THE PRICE."

International SaberCat

We were pleasantly surprised on the practice field last week by an unexpected visit from a SaberCat football Alumni. Fabian "Germany" Halbich dropped by practice while in town to visit his host family. Fabian was an exchange student at Fossil Ridge during the 2006 season. "Germany" was a place kicker for the 2006 SaberCats. A natural kicker because of his background in soccer, he could bury the ball for a touchback almost every time he kicked off. He was on the field for some of the most memorable games in Fossil Ridge history, including the programs first victory. Fabian loved his time on the SaberCat Football team and continues to follow the team via the Internet in Europe. He is living in Munich and will be attending the University of Munich later this fall. His positive personality had an impact on those who were fortunate enough to have played with him. It was awesome to visit with Fabian and we wish the best to our #1 German SaberCat.

SaberCats tangle with Coyotes in final tune up

Friday nights scrimmage with Monarch was a chance to get on the gridiron and compete with one of Colorado's best high school programs (currently ranked #2 in the state). The Monarch Coyotes and head coach Phil Bravo have won multiple state championships in the past decade. You were able to go out and play snap for snap with them. The defense stiffened up and played chin to chin with the physical bunch from the Boulder Valley. Offensively there were glimpses of the explosiveness that you possess. Game speed is something that is almost impossible to duplicate, and Friday night you had a taste of what is waiting for you in Windsor. It was a clean, hard fought scrimmage. Best of luck to the Coyotes in the coming season.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Luke Beishied is a force on the nose

We have to SQUEEZE the gaps on defense

Monarch TE's block well

Landon Ochwat activated the TRUCK STICK

We MUST run to the football, EVERY SNAP

Saturday Scrimmage puts wraps on Two A Days

The efforts you put in to your Summer workouts payed dividends when you hit the practice field this week. We are bigger, stronger and faster than any SaberCat team ever. Practices were crisp. This mornings scrimmage showed signs that you could have a good season.
That being said we are a LONG way from where we need to be for the season opener at Windsor. We must approach each drill with a determination to improve. Champions are made when NO one is watching. They put in the extra work so that when their opportunity arrives they can RESPOND. 13 Days until Windsor, lets not waste a single one.
Coach Lefort

SaberCat Celebrity Sightings

A couple of SaberCat Celebrities were spotted at the Annual Kickoff Dinner Friday evening. Ryan Beard and Brian Leistikow were spotted munching down some Bar B Que sandwiches and mingling with the crowd. Beard, a two time All-Conference linebacker is headed off to Colorado State. Leistikow (a.k.a. Hollywood), an All-State Quarterback, and Fossil Ridge's first player ever to play in the Colorado All-State Game, is headed to Western New England, where he will compete on the lacrosse team. We are very grateful for their LEADERSHIP both on and off the field over the past four years. They have left their fingerprints all over this program and they will ALWAYS be a big part of the SaberCat Football Family. Good Luck Guys!!

KICKOFF DINNER HUGE SUCCESS

The SaberCat Boosters out did themselves again this year at the Annual Kickoff dinner. A gorgeous Colorado sunset provided the backdrop for a couple of hundred guests, SaberCat football players and their parents to enjoy some Bar B Que (compliments of Texas Roadhouse) celebrate the end of two a days and look forward to the coming season. Thank you to all who made this a special evening. Huge thanks to the Beard family for once again opening up the ranch. We are BLESSED to be a part of this Football Family. THANK YOU!!