Saddle Sore: Where life skills take root

The preparation — the transformation — is part of the game, going from a school kid into a football player. Tension starts to build, adrenaline teases the muscles, ankles get wrapped if necessary, jerseys pulled over shoulder pads, helmets in hand, and the coaches quietly ask if everyone’s ready to play ball.

If you’re a parent (or a card-carrying member of the “Grampa’s Club”), it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of all the various sports your kids might be playing at one time. But for some of us old footballers, it’s the gridiron that holds our attention. And let me tell you, when these young guys get rolling, the adrenaline gets our muscles twitching a bit, too.

This year, it was the fifth and sixth grade youths — Aspen Skiers all — most of whom have been playing together for several years, who hit the field with great anticipation. When you play 11-man football, the odds look a bit daunting when only 14 guys come out for practice. On the other hand, if you like to play football, this is your chance, boys, as there won’t likely be anyone to spell you when you get tired.

That said, the coaches — volunteers all — put conditioning and fitness at the top of the list. If you’re going to be in the game for 40 minutes, you need to be in top shape. And tough. We can’t afford for anyone to get hurt or wear down.

They played seven games and lost only two, to the same team (who, by the way, had both offensive and defensive units). Their passing game, a new addition this year, was well-honed and well-coached, pulling them out of tough spots and thrilling the sideline crowds. The running game — that hard, pad-to-pad skirmish on the ground — showed real progress, with backs learning to follow blockers and attack the defense, juking and twisting through the line to gain those extra yards.

And when you see those pass plays working or the running backs taking off toward the goal, remember that the success of every play begins with the linemen. They’re the ones intricately tied to every triumph, whether on offense or defense. See a tackle behind the line of scrimmage or a back stopped for a short gain? Chalk that up, in most cases, to the grit of the linemen.

Sports teach core values — respect, discipline, teamwork, fairness, and integrity — that guide athletes’ behavior and character development throughout life. Beyond that, the field is where life skills take root: perseverance, sportsmanship, and accountability. The Olympic creed speaks of excellence, respect, and friendship, and these young men are learning all three on the football field — and in their other pursuits, from skiing and lacrosse to basketball and track.

These tough, exciting young men have certainly earned mention in the paper: Cash Burtard, Cy Stanley, Dean Suma, Declan Egan, Huck Ellis, Jaylen McCulloch, Jeffery Hall, Noah Huck, Ryder Washington, Sam Morgan, Tom Marx, Wallace Fisher, Waylon Rodgers, and Wyatt Gooding.

And certainly, we’d be remiss not to mention the coaching staff, who — like so many volunteers in this valley — work without compensation other than the satisfaction of watching kids grow, learn, and succeed. The crew: Ty Burtard, Tim Morgan, Pete Ellis, Andrew Huck, and Aaron Stanley. These men have the players’ backs in every regard.

Finally, a nod to the man who’s been instrumental in keeping youth football alive in Aspen for the past 29 years: Ron Morehead. He’s the steady liaison between the Aspen Elks Lodge, the Mountain West Youth Football League, and the parents and players. Ron is at every game, doing whatever needs to be done to make it all work.

And of course, thank you to the parents and grandparents — without whom none of this would be possible.

Tony Vagneur writes here on Saturdays and welcomes your comments at ajv@sopris.net.

Tony Vagneur writes here on Saturdays and welcomes your comments at ajv@sopris.net.