Pueblo, CO

There were many questions regarding CV Football program as the search for a Head Coach commenced in January of this year.  Many wondered if CV would be able to attract an experienced coach.  Many people in Castle Rock were curious to see how players would respond to a new leader.  Some questioned if the program would be able to bounce quickly enough in order to not slip into “rebuild” phase so there could be hope of competing in 2018. 

On February 14th, Coach Todd Casebier was introduced to the players, parents and the community as Castle View’s Head Football coach.  That evening, Coach Casebier stated, “We don’t have to wait to win, but we do have to change”. 

The changes Coach talked about were challenges for the CV Football community.  For the players, it was to get into the weight room and begin working at a different level than ever before.  For parents, it was to get involved and trust the coaching staff. For the community, it was to believe in what Castle View Football could potentially be.  For the coaching staff, it is to prepare more and work harder than ever before.  

Many of these early challenges are beginning to be met and players have cited the increased intensity in the weight room over the past 7 weeks and an amplified bond between teammates. 

Monday marked the beginning of a week when many of the questions would begin to be answered as players and coaches boarded buses destined for Pueblo.

Hunger

From the very first snap at 3:15 on Monday afternoon, it became abundantly clear that this team was hungry for success and eager to begin removing the very bitter taste of last season. 

In an astonishingly swift fashion, lingering thoughts of doubt were replaced by mindsets of belief, firmly founded upon the performances that were put forth.  The Sabercats took the field and played with intensity and physicality that was impressive and an effort that was visibly uncommon.  The excitement was palpable for anyone present.

After 4 days of competition, the Sabercats Varsity finished in a surprising 2nd place, only behind an impressive Columbine team while Freshmen and JV placed 1st in their brackets.  The Varsity Columbine Rebels were 11-2 last year, barely missing a chance to play for their 5th state title, falling to Eaglecrest in a heartbreaking double over-time  loss  in the CHSSA semi-final game. 

The Sabercats won many of their competitions throughout the week and impressed many of the onlookers, including the college host, CSU-Pueblo.  “My hats off to this team.  Everyone here, including the entire [CSU-Pueblo] coaching staff is impressed and frankly a little surprised how well the Castle View program performed all four days”, stated CSU-Pueblo Head Coach, John Wristen.  “This program is on-the-move”, he continued.  While addressing the entire Sabercat squad, Wristen, the 2014 NCAA National Champion college coach pointed directly at Coach Casebier and proclaimed, “That man is going to lead you all to success…”.

Humble

Immediately after Wristen’s impromptu statements to the team, Coach Casebier was quick to give credit back to the team and his coaching staff.  “I have been lucky to have players like you  guys and a great coaching staff everywhere I have been.  This week was great, but we still have work to do.  We are going to learn how to win together.  We are going to learn how to lose together.  The key word is together.  We are going to do all of this together.” 

The new Head Coach was lavish with praise when the team had success and was critical of himself when things didn’t go as planned.  “We have the guys to get it done- it is obvious to me.  I have to work harder at getting our coaches prepared so we can make sure our players are getting it done”, stated the coach. 

“Meeting Coach Casebier’s expectations is vitally important, acknowledged 2nd year coach, Butch Bradley.  Bradley who coaches the Offensive Line and JV shared an optimistic view of the future.  “It’s not a new page for CV Football. It’s not even a new chapter …it’s a new book.  Coach Casebier has helped the players and us coaches adopt a new mindset of belief and its contagious”.  Bradley continued, “Coach has a way to dial the players up and sometimes dial them back.  Staying humble is important to this team, even when we begin experiencing success.” 

Returning coach David Johnston also had positive things to say about the new coach.  “He definitely has a different style of coaching than we are used to, but it is effective – the kids are responding.  This team is physical and aggressive. I think it speaks to his experience because you can see that he knows what he is doing”. 

Players are also responding well to the changes and leadership is emphasized all the time with this group.  “There are more leaders than captains”, stated Co-Captain Connor Kelly.  “I have been feeling a lot of urgency to help get CV Football back on track.  This week I learned that we have more competitors and more talent than we thought.  This team is capable”.  Kelly, who is a returning Academic All-State/All-Conference Defender loves the scheme.  “We pound the ground.  The O-line is aggressive.  The QB’s are in command.  The RB’s are hitting the holes.  The WR’s are creating opportunities.  The Defense is aggressive and Coach lets us loose. I am having more fun playing football now than I ever have before.” 

A common theme amongst the team was “fun”.  While it was apparent that the squad was working exceptionally hard and the conduct code is seemingly quite strict, almost every player without fail citied that they were having fun. 

Wide Receiver Cade Cushman acknowledged, “I have never had this much fun playing football.  The Offense is exciting and the run is opening up the pass.”  The Senior’s goals are to, “block great, catch every ball thrown his way and for his team to make the playoffs.” 

For observers, it was  clear to see that while the team was enjoying success and are optimistic, they are grounded and staying humble.  Another common them was “working to get better”. 

“We are just getting started.  The Summer will help determine our success.  Coach keeps telling us that we have to work hard.  We have listened so far and we are seeing results, so we have to keep hitting the weight room and improving,” acknowledged Senior Cole Oster. 

Sophomore Dylan Cone also accredited the emphasis on improvement.  “The team is always improving.  A lot of this is done through film.  I love the connection we are all making with each other and how we challenge one another.” 

Senior Co-Captain Brett Helms believes that, “playing and working together as a unit may be one of the things that helps this program get attention in 5A”.   

Senior QB and Co-Captain Josh Mullenix also emphasized leadership and improvement.  “We are improving and we are doing it together.  We have a long ways to go, but you can see the progress.  As a leader and quarterback, I know I need to focus on developing leadership skills.  My focus is going to be having a relationship with every one of my teammates this year.”

When asked what the returning QB’s personal goals were, he was fast to point to his teammates;  “My goals are to help the team win.  I want to help my teammates be successful”. 

Heart

Competition at the camp was a critical ingredient to the success that the Sabercats enjoyed this past week.  Not only did it allow coaches to see where the team was at from a schematic perspective, but it allowed players to see condition they were in from a physical, mental and emotional perspective. 

The camp was physically demanding. When considering the heat, the competition and the drive to improve, all three CV Squads put forth an effort that has not been seen in a long time. 

Battered and bruised, the Varsity squad advanced Thursday morning to the championship game.  With little to nothing left in the tank, the Sabercats put forth and effort that every person associated with Castle View and Castle Rock would have been proud of.  While the Sabercats Varsity squad would eventually fall to Columbine, there was not a single person at the camp who did not respect the CV Football program. Respect by this Sabercat squad was earned. 

“I’m damn proud of this team.  I’ll go anywhere with you.  You’re my guys,” exclaimed Casebier to his entire team after the championship game.  “This week we won together. We lost together.  We got better together.”  The coach concluded camp with a simple message: “It’s our time men.  We proved that we can compete.  Let’s keep getting better.  Let’s go shock 5A.  It’s our time”. 

#CVFootballCamp

Pictures of camp on website