Reflections on football season and senior players

As we return from our bye week, it feels like the perfect moment to step back and evaluate where we are. We were coming off a win on Oct 9 against the Midwest Oilers with a score of 79-28.

A full week of practice without a Friday game gave our coaching staff a chance to talk in detail about the road ahead. A football season is always a marathon, but as you enter the final stretch of the regular season, the dynamic changes. In running terms, it comes down to the “kick.”

What exactly is the “kick”? It means digging deep into your remaining energy reserves to unleash a powerful, high-speed sprint over the final stretch pushing past competitors and finishing stronger than you started.

That is our exact focus as we prepare for this final push toward a potential playoff run. Every drill and every rep during the bye week was designed to ensure we have the stamina, focus, and drive to execute our kick when the whistle blows.

However, the bye week was also a valuable time for reflection. In the high-stakes push of a long season, it is easy to get caught up in the next opponent or the scoreboard. But sometimes you have to sit back and realize that we are living the “good ol’ days” right now. It is important for our players and coaches to appreciate the wins we’ve celebrated, the bonds we’ve built, and even the lessons learned from the tougher moments that tested our character. Every step of this journey has shaped who we are as a team.

Most importantly, this stretch of the season brings into focus the young men who have poured their hearts into this program: Our Seniors.

These seniors have given so much to our team, our school, and this community over the years. They have set the standard for hard work, led by example through adversity, and represented our program with pride both on and off the field. As we prepare for our final regular season game, our focus is not just on winning, it’s also honoring the dedication of this senior class and making sure they leave a legacy they can be proud of.

#16 Brian Lee Anderson

Starting your senior year as a Meeteetse Longhorn and finishing it as a Riverside Rebel certainly wasn’t the path you expected, but we couldn’t be more grateful for how it all turned out. Learning a brand new offense in a total fire hose situation is no easy task, yet your coachability, drive, and relentless desire to get better stood out from day one. You brought a steady hand to both sides of the ball, playing with remarkable composure by letting the game come to you rather than trying to force too much. Thank you for your hard work, adaptability, and everything you’ve brought to the Rebels this season, Brian, we are proud to call you one of our own!

#21 Gavyn Cervantes

Gavyn is the kind of athlete who makes a coach’s job easier because of his exceptional versatility. Over the past 4 years of varsity football, our staff has asked a lot of him on offense, constantly moving him across multiple positions to leverage his athleticism. Even though that constant shifting can be frustrating at times, Gavyn never complains. He simply keeps his head down, works hard, and gives his absolute best at whatever task is put in front of him. Defensively, he has been a force at defensive back for years, serving as the reliable anchor in our secondary who always finds himself in the right position when we need a big play and helps his teammates get aligned where they need to be. Thank you for your relentless work ethic, adaptability, and unwavering reliability to this program, Gavyn! 

#30 Dawson Scott

The growth Dawson has shown from where he started in middle school to the player, he has turned himself into has been nothing short of amazing. With the injuries we’ve faced this season, he stepped up right when we needed him most and became the guy who steadied the ship for our team across multiple positions. Dawson’s greatest attribute is his dependability. He trusts the process and works tirelessly every single day. Embracing a selfless, team first mindset, he has done everything asked of him by the coaching staff and embraced whatever role was required to keep us moving forward. Thank you for your unbelievable commitment and adaptability, Dawson! 

#50 Corbyn Godfrey

Corbyn is the definition of a silent and steady leader. Every single day, whether it’s a Tuesday practice or Friday night under the lights, he shows up ready to roll. He has been a true mainstay for Riverside Varsity Football over the past 4 years, serving as the dependable anchor our coaching staff and players have relied on to bring the physicality and set the tone for the Rebels. Corbyn’s leadership isn’t loud—it’s shown through his continuous effort, composure, and unshakable toughness on the field. Thank you for being the steady, relentless force our team can always count on, Corbyn. Your dedication and impact have left a lasting mark on Rebel Football, and we wish you the very best in your next chapter.

#66 Zack Kuntz

Zack, another four-year varsity player and returning All-Stater, is an athlete with a larger than life personality who always brings irreplaceable energy to our team every single day. While many might point to his physical nature on the field as his best attribute, his real strength lies in his football mind, specifically his ability to communicate blocking assignments and decisively make calls on defense, owning every decision with complete confidence. Even though his senior season hasn’t gone entirely as planned after missing a significant chunk of time due to a shoulder injury, we are thrilled to have him back on the field right when it matters most. Thank you for your leadership, voice, and passion, Zack. We are so proud of your resilience, and we can’t wait to see you finish your Rebel career strong! 

#84 Elias Jensen

Eli is the kind of player whose positive attitude shines brightest through adversity. Having lost most of his senior season to a broken collarbone, he responded with complete selflessness during the healing process, finding creative ways to support and lift up his teammates during practice and on the sideline during games, a testament to his incredible humility. On the field, Eli has always stayed one step ahead by obsessing over the small details and using his football IQ to gain every advantage possible. His leadership and presence are impossible to miss, and our entire program is thrilled that he gets to return to the field and finish this season on his terms. Thank you for your resilience, leadership, and heart, Eli! Love you! (Dad/Coach)

#99 Alan Landis

Alan is a true team first player whose selflessness and poise have been vital to our success this year. When we asked him to take on a much bigger defensive role than he was probably expecting coming into the season, Alan didn’t hesitate, he rose to the occasion and stepped up as a fantastic leader on the field for our defense. Whether during regular play or high-pressure situations, he is always levelheaded, remaining incredibly coachable while always staying true to who he is. Thank you for your adaptability, calm leadership, and dedication to the Rebels, Alan. You’ve earned every bit of respect from your teammates and coaches, and we wish you all the best in your future! 

Student Manager
Tawny Bertolini

While this is Tawny’s first year as one of our student managers, she has been a tremendous addition to Riverside Football, and my only regret is that we only got to have her as part of the program for one year! She is an incredibly hard worker who is always proactive, jumping in to help in any way she can to ensure our practices and games run smoothly. Tawny’s positive attitude and work ethic behind the scenes have made a world of difference for our players and coaching staff alike. Thank you for your hard work, initiative, and dedication to the Rebels this season, Tawny!