Class of 2024 Final Football Season 

It’s finally here, The first Varsity football game of the season! The team has been waiting for this day all summer. All the hard work and dedication these young men put into the field for practices, scrimmages, and 7’o’7s is outstanding. As one of the Varsity managers on the team, I have a different perspective on the team since I am on the field with them every day. I have interviewed some of the seniors with important questions regarding this season.  

The Profile: How are you feeling about your last first high school game? 

Varsity Wide Receiver Lucas Wilt- “To be honest it didn’t really hit me until about 10 minutes before kickoff that this was my last high school season, the whole day I was super excited and happy and then it all hit me at once and I kind of lost it and started crying out of realization.” 

Varsity Wide Receiver Alex McCollum- “I’m feeling a bit emotional knowing that it is my last first game but excited to get the season started.”

Varsity Safety Matthew Guterriez- “Sad because this period in my life is coming to an end.”

Varsity Right Tackle Jackson Davis- “I feel pretty good overall, glad how far each individual person has come along with the team itself.”

Varsity Nose Guard Tristen Salazar- “I feel like it is very surreal, I’m excited for the season but sad that it is the start of the end.” 

Varsity Defensive End Jordan Niles- “I’m excited. We have worked so hard and I really feel like we can win.”

Varsity Running Back Tidus Xiong- “It feels amazing but sad at the same time.”

Varsity Left Guard Isaac Miranda- “My first last high school game is definitely nerve racking but one thing I’ve been telling myself these past few months over summer is I want to go out with a bang. I want to ball out and give my last season the best season.” 

Varsity Cornerback AJ Brown- “I am feeling good, I feel confident in our ability to beat Douglas County and we have an amazing chance to win if we execute at everything.”

Varsity Tight End Blake Barnes- “I’m feeling pretty sad about my last first game knowing it’s all gonna come to an end soon but I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”

The Profile: What’s your goal for this season? Personal? As a team? 

Varsity Wide Receiver Lucas Wilt- “My goals for this season are to improve as much as a receiver and a person can. I believe football will help me with both of those extremely and I can overall be a better man. My team goal is to win more games than we have the last 2 seasons, I don’t if it’s 1 or 6 more I just want to win more and so should the team.” 

Varsity Wide Receiver Alex McCollum- “My personal goal for the season is to make a positive impact for the team playing my role as receiver hopefully getting 10 plus touchdowns. Then for the team, I hope to make the playoffs which is something we haven’t done in a while.” 

Varsity Safety Matthew Guterriez- “Personal goal is to get All Conference, team goal is I want us to make the playoffs.”

Varsity Right Tackle Jackson Davis- “Personal goal is to do as good as I possibly can, team goal is to reach Conference Finals.” 

Varsity Nose Guard Tristen Salazar- “Personal goal is I want to make All State, I’ve been First Team All Conference and can only go up from there. As a team I want a winning season and to have the team build a connection with Coach Wolff.”

Varsity Defensive End Jordan Niles- “I want to get five sacks and make the playoffs.”

Varsity Running Back Tidus Xiong- “A goal is to just have a winning season.”

Varsity Left Guard Isaac Miranda- “My goal for us as a team is to play as a team, compete as a team, we have to be a team. The goal for me is to have fun and play the best game I can possibly play.”

Varsity Cornerback AJ Brown- “My goal this season is to win both personally and as a team.”

Varsity Tight End Blake Barnes- “My goal for this season was to help the team in any way possible and for the entire team I wanted us to make the playoffs.”

The Profile: What advice would you give to incoming seniors? 

Varsity Wide Receiver Lucas Wilt- “Advice I would give to incoming seniors is to not take any of it for granted, I know you hear it all the time but this is the quickest 4 years of your life and you’re going to miss it when it’s over, trust me.” 

Varsity Wide Receiver Alex McCollum- “I would say take nothing for granted, enjoy every moment because it will be coming to an end so fast. So enjoy every moment and try to make an impact as soon as possible.” 

Varsity Safety Matthew Gutierrez- “I would tell them that this time goes by fast and to cherish every moment they have with their teammates. It’s such a short- lived game and that really comes to a reality.” 

Varsity Right Tackle Jackson Davis- “I would let them know to keep building bonds between them and underclassmen, having a tight bond between all grades helps drastically with Chemistry.” 

Varsity Nose Guard Tristen Salazar- “Don’t take any time for granted, it goes by fast, enjoy the time you have.” 

Varsity Defensive End Jordan Niles- “Just have fun and enjoy your last season.”

Varsity Running Back Tidus Xiong- “Just play and have fun, and do your best.”

Varsity Left Guard Isaac Miranda- “Some advice I would give to upcoming seniors is that it hits you quick so just be ready to grind for this last season, nothing better than going out with a bang.”

Varsity Cornerback AJ Brown- “I would say build your bonds stronger, be there for each other, and keep working hard.” 

Varsity Tight End Blake Barnes- “My advice would be to enjoy it while it lasts because it feels like the past 4 years have gone by so fast.”

These young men have a bright future ahead of them and I hope they know that. I am extremely proud of all of them and they have a special place in my heart. Good luck this season boys!!