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Friday, Sep. 04, 2009

Golden Valley on road to recovery

The silence was deafening for Brandon Ramirez. The Golden Valley linebacker almost missed the wisecracks directed his way as he walked the campus during school hours last year.

As Ramirez and his teammates struggled through a tough season, it was almost as if football was irrelevant at Golden Valley.

"Once in a while someone would say, 'You guys suck,' " Ramirez said. "But for the most part, it was like people didn't even notice us.

"They didn't care about football. It was like we were just any other sport.

"This year, people are asking about us. They've asked if we're going to be any good.

"I've been telling people we are going to be good, so we need to step it up."

Short on numbers and talent, Golden Valley almost flatlined on its way to a 1-9 season.

With the help of 31 juniors this year, GV hopes to revive a program that was a perennial playoff contender not too long ago.

"Last year was really tough and really frustrating," senior offensive lineman Nathan Terry said. "I honestly didn't want to talk about football when I was at school.

"This year there is a different kind of emotion out at practice. There's excitement."

There were times where Golden Valley struggled to suit up 25 healthy bodies last year. That forced as many as six or seven players to play both ways. It led to fatigue in the second half of games.

"We were like a family, and I think that kept everything from falling apart," Ramirez said.

"We went through some tough times together. At the same time, I wouldn't mind a bigger family.

"This year it's a lot different. I get antsy every day when it's time to go to practice."

You can see the difference.

If you watch a GV practice, you'll see a group that is bigger and faster than the team from a year ago.

"The biggest positive with more guys is the greater competition for positions," GV coach Jon Betschart said.

"You have more people competing for more spots, and that has everyone working hard every day.

"We'll be in better condition, and that will help our guys in the fourth quarter."

Robert Askew, who transferred from Stone Ridge Christian, is the only player expected to start on offense and defense. Askew will see time at wingback and safety.

The players definitely believe they are headed in the right direction.

"Our goal is to get to the playoffs," senior Lance Terry said. "I know that everybody's goal and every team says that, but that's our goal."