Poudre chasing its first winning season since ’08
The Denver Post
Poudre football coach Marty McVicker believes his team is capable of much more than simply turning in a winning record this season, something the Impalas haven’t done since 2008.
Poudre has its eyes set on November — and a postseason performance similar to that of its 2008 team, which also recorded the program’s last playoff victory en route to a Class 5A semifinal appearance.
“The potential for this season is so much more than a winning record, and that’s what I’m most excited about,” McVicker said. “We want to get to Valor Christian (on Oct. 27) at 8-0 and play them for the Mount Lincoln Conference title down in Highlands Ranch. And then we expect to be in the playoffs this year, making some noise.”
Buoying the Impalas’ confidence is a 2-0 start in which they’ve dismantled a pair of Douglas County School District opponents, Douglas County and Mountain Vista, as well as depth to the tune of 25 seniors — a group of guys who went undefeated as freshmen in 2014 and are by far the biggest senior class McVicker’s had in his four years as Poudre’s coach.
“Since my freshman year, our main guys have always gone two ways, and you could see us getting tired at the end of games,” said senior running back JT Erickson. “But we finally have depth this year, and that’s huge. That’s what is going to keep us competitive in the game against Valor and other good teams we’ll hopefully see in the playoffs.”
Even though the game against Valor Christian is circled in red on Poudre’s schedule, the Impalas are being careful not to get ahead of themselves as they continue to build their confidence — and their program back up — via the grinding details in practice during September and October.
“Our goal for right now is to beat Fort Collins this week,” senior quarterback Troy McFadden said. “But we also know that every game leading up to that moment against Valor is preparing us for the mind-set of them being just another opponent — they’re 17-, 18-year-olds, just like us. Why don’t we have a shot in that game, and beyond?”
The Impalas’ league and playoff chances will continue to run through McFadden, Erickson and an offensive line that returned four starters from 2016.
“I give all props to my offensive line, because we’ve been together for so long — my left guard’s been blocking for me since third grade rec league, and the rest of them besides the center have been up front for me since seventh grade,” said Erickson, who has seven rushing scores this fall. “I’d do anything for those guys, and I can’t do anything without them.”
Additionally, senior wideout/ corner Zach Leal, sophomore blocking back Tate Satterfield, junior wideout/defensive back Josiah Stribling, senior wideout/ defensive back Kian Rackza and senior defensive end Bryce Ramler are all key contributors as the Impalas look to make another statement against a city rival on Thursday night at French Field.
“People may not know yet, but we’re for real this year,” McFadden said. “We’re to be taken seriously every time we put our pads on.”