Home

Steamboat Springs — The seniors on the Steamboat Springs High School football team are used to playing in November.

For most of them, Saturday's 2 p.m. game against Fossil Ridge in Fort Collins will mark the third time in four years they've played in the playoffs. But whereas before, there was always next year, now there's no room for mistakes.

"Playoff games are decided on one fumble or one mistake," senior Jay Hanley said Wednesday at practice. "That's what playoff football is."

While this could be the last time the seniors step onto a field as high school players, most of them are looking at previous experiences to put Saturday's game in perspective.

"We're seniors; we're the leaders," linebacker and kicker Ben DeLine said. "It's all on our shoulders. The past times you're always disappointed and upset, but there's always next year. This year is it. This is the last chance we get. But it's good pressure. It's pressure to be your best."

DeLine played against or with many members of the Fossil Ridge team in middle school, while growing up in Fort Collins. He said although it's easy to think about the last time the seniors might play together, that is certainly not the mindset Steamboat is taking to Fort Collins.

"Excited," DeLine said of the feeling the Sailors will have when they take the field. "I know we're going to play as good as we can. If there's any time to play as good as you can, it's in the playoffs. It's a blast - you get a second season. I feel bad for those kids from Battle Mountain, because they don't get a second season. We get a second season."

Two years ago, when these seniors were sophomores, the Sailors advanced to the state semifinals before losing to state runner-up Rifle.

Last year - as Western Slope League champions - Steamboat advanced to the second round before falling to Pueblo County, 41-7.

"Last year, we learned in the Pueblo game to play every play from beginning to end," senior Matt Lettunich said. "Every play counts."

The seniors' experience might be one of the biggest advantages Steamboat has coming into the game. Fossil Ridge will be making its first playoff appearance in school history Saturday.

"You tell the young guys to just play the same way we've been playing lately," wide receiver Nigel Hammond said. "Our intensity has been good the last couple of weeks. We just can't back off."

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229 or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com