Team Of The Week: North Gem Football

In the northwest corner of Caribou County sits a pristine patch of grass.  That patch of grass is well maintained and cared for all summer long.  In the background is one of the most beautiful sights you could imagine.  Golden grain fields give way to dark green tree covered mountains.  As breathtaking as that sight is, the thing that brings dozens of people to that patch of grass has very little to do with nature's scenery.  Crossing back and forth across the grass are long white lines with a few small sets of bleachers on each side.  On Friday afternoons in the fall this patch of grass will be surrounded by dozens of cars and trucks from all corners of the widespread North Gem community.  They come to watch their beloved Cowboys play football.  Head coach Corry Hatch has become a well known fixture on the Cowboy sideline and spoke about that community, “That's an interesting thing about our school.  People come to the games, and I'm not saying they wouldn't come at seven o’clock but four o’clock is a unique time to play.  We still get good support.”  

Not only is the time of day they play and the layout of their field unique but the Cowboys became somewhat darlings of the eight man ranks last season.  A year ago the Cowboys only dressed nine athletes for their eight man team.  Those nine players embarked on a magical season that included a five game win streak and finished in a three way tie for second place in the conference.  Unfortunately the Cowboys wouldn't get their fairy tale ending when a little used tie breaker rule was used and the Cowboys missed out on the playoffs by the slimmest of margins.  

This year's team will be looking to play the part of a sequel with a happier ending.  Similar to last year's team the Cowboys have limited numbers with only eleven players on the roster.  The good news is five of those players are seniors with lots of experience behind them.  Coach Hatch has a lot of praise for those seniors, “The guys that we got back are good.  They are going to lead us.”  Assistant Coach Corta echoed Coach Hatch, “Our leadership is really good.  We've got a group of boys that have been in the system for all four years and it takes a lot off the coaching staff.  These guys understand where they are supposed to be. That leadership is something that will help us along the way this year.”  

When you have limited numbers every player has a crucial role on the team.  I personally got to witness Coach Hatch emphasizing that point when I arrived at the end of the Cowboy’s practice.  At that time the players were involved in some very rigorous conditioning.  All the while Coach Hatch in a demanding voice was doing his best to inspire the team with phrases like “We’re only as strong as our weakest player” and “we have to be the stronger team in the fourth quarter.”  All things that many coaches will say but when Coach Hatch is yelling them out like a drill sergeant you really get the feeling he stands behind his convictions and he truly believes that these boys will be the toughest 1A team in the state.  

The Cowboys will get to test that theory on Friday when they take on a tough Castleford team that beat up on the Cowboys in last season's opening game.  The Cowboys will definitely be looking to change that outcome as not only is this the season home opener but it is also Homecoming week for North Gem.  

So how will things be different in this season's match up?  For starters even though they were on last year's team Rusty Hatch and Craig Yost had not yet rushed for over 1000 yards each.  Joined by experienced seniors Ryver Hayden and Lukky Welker the Cowboys have some skill to work with.  The list doesn't end there.  Lineman Haydn Frandsen is joined by Hyrum Barnes to anchor a solid and physical line.  

With kids still being kids I asked some of the players what they were looking forward to the most with all of the homecoming festivities.  Welker very quickly gave a short direct answer, “Football.”  That one word answer shows how zeroed in these players are for this week's big game.  Speaking beyond this week's game Rusty Hatch said that the goal for the year is, “Win the conference with a perfect regular season.”  Fellow senior Ryver Hayden, with thoughts of last season still fresh in his mind added, “We want to go out on a high note.” 

 Even with all of their focus on Friday’s game the boys still got to blow off a little steam after practice when they took part in a car bash for homecoming.  There was plenty of fun and laughter but you can bet that when game time comes around the Cowboys will be ready to show their grit and leave everything out on the field.  Friday’s game starts at 4 p.m. so come out and enjoy all of the festivities and watch a fabulous match up of two great teams.