Football Feature

The 2012 undefeated team.

Head coach Doug Sargent

Football Since 2009

When the football program began in 2009, no one knew what would become of the program seven years later. Now as the team prepares to move to a brand new field next year, it’s time to reflect back upon the previous seasons.

When the decision was made to start a football program, Coach Doug Sargent had some specific numbers in mind. “We made a four year commitment,” he said. “We would decide on its future after that.” The inaugural year brought out eighteen young men, six of them seniors, and most having never played tackle football before. The team would go on with a 2-5 record in the Mountain Trail Athletic League (MTAL) for the season. Sargent had some sentimental feelings towards the seniors on the team. “Those guys were the biggest risk takers. I felt bad for them because they played their hearts out and loved the game so much but only got to play one year.” As the years progressed, the team had a steady improvement. “I expected to be very competitive within four years.”

Just three years later, in 2012, they would begin a historical record-breaking season for the football program. The 2012 team, a fairly young roster, surprised everyone and went 7-0 to clinch the MTAL championship. In 2013, the now growing team of twenty-six players continued the winning streak. One of the most memorable games in Priory football history took place during that 2013 season. Sargent described the game with much excitement. “I think for everyone involved, it was the ‘Miracle in Monterey.’ We were on a twelve-game win streak playing Trinity Christian who was also undefeated and favored in the game. With about eight minutes left we were down 28-52. There were several motivating incidents that got the team going. The mood changed and no one wanted to go down easily. A lot happened in the next eight minutes and if you were there, you’ll

The fi rst football team in 2009.

never forget. Priory tied the game at the end and dominated in overtime, winning 58-52.” The 2013 team would go on to finish with an incredible 9-0 record, thus keeping a sixteen game winning streak alive and completing back to back undefeated seasons. The 2014 season was packed not only with another large roster of twenty-six players, but also with the intense pressure of not breaking the winning streak. After starting the season 2-0, Sargent was contacted by the media for his thoughts on Priory earning the state record for the longest active winning streak. Sargent had no idea about the record and knew that this would only add to the stress of each upcoming game, as the team now had a target on their back. The winning streak came to an end that season against a tough Stuart Hall squad. But not before the Panthers would rack up an impressive twenty game win streak. The program would not have survived without the help and expertise of the dedicated coaching staff. Sargent wanted to express his gratefulness for both the past and present coaches and players. “I have appreciated every player that has played football for Priory,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without past coaches like brothers Mal and Nick Thurston and Kevin Surber.” Coach Jeff Wise has been the offensive coach since the beginning of the program and Sargent is hopeful that he will continue for many years to come. The football program was started with the thought that the addition of football would attract multi-sport athletes who were interested in playing football in addition to their main sport. The program has changed since then. “In the early years, playing football was a novelty and a second sport for everyone. Now it’s a main sport and several players train during the off-season and set goals. Football itself has changed over the years and our emphasis is on safety.” The future of the program is unknown, but Sargent is hopeful, “The roster numbers for the future worry me,” he said. “We are hoping for a large freshman group of football players next year or the year after. In 2010, nine of our seventeen players were freshman. That is the group that went on to two undefeated seasons their junior and senior years. Everything happens in cycles. In 2014, we had nine freshman. They will be next year’s senior class.” Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure. The 2017 season will be an exciting experience for both players and spectators on the new field.

Coach Sargent’s Fantasy Football Team If Coach Sargent could draft a fantasy football team consisting of Priory alumni football players, who would he draft? *2009 Inaugural season senior

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS Ricky Dolezalek* (2009- Wide Receiver) Wyatt Farino* (2009- Offensive Line) David Nimer* (2009- Wide Receiver) Ray Ross* (2009- Quarterback) Jeff Souders* (2009- Offensive Line) Will Latta (2014- Quarterback/Defensive Back) James McDaniel (2014- Running Back) Aaron Reiss (2014- Offensive Lineman) Christian Wookey (2014- Offensive Lineman) Christian Kruep (2016- Offensive Lineman)

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS Connor Mather (2011- Linebacker/Running Back) Matt Schwab (2013- Linebacker) Tom Latta (2014- Defensive Back/Tight End) Charlie Tidmarsh (2014- Outside Linebacker) Brandon Zarringhalam (2014- Defensive Back) Garrett Weber (2015- Defensive Line) Michael Zhao (2016- Linebacker)

SPECIAL TEAMS Scott Turner* (2009- Kicker) Austin Mirabella (2014- Kicker)