(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
A 47-7 loss in the Class 2A state semifinals is not the way the La Junta Tigers envisioned ending their season.
Especially considering that in the 11 games prior to their loss at the hands of eventual state champion, Bayfield, the Tigers surrendered less than six points per game.
But with 11 starters returning on the defensive side of the ball, La Junta is looking to put its stamp on the 2016 season and reach heights that will they hope will include a state title trophy at the end of the year.
“We have to play great defense,” coach Clint Buderus said. “That’s a big emphasis for us and if we can stay in a game and keep it close, that’s all we can ask for.”
It’s not just the defense that will provide the experience that the Tigers will need to overcome last year’s loss. For the last two seasons, La Junta has steadily become a better team and the senior class as a whole has had its eyes on this season as one that can be truly special.
“The first time we went (to the playoffs) three years ago, these kids were all sophomores and they were all playing,” Buderus said. “This class has been together for a long time. The majority of them got a taste of it and they’re excited to get going again.”
But excited doesn’t quite cover the range of feelings going through this senior class. The players were dominant in the regular season and for their first two playoff games.
With Bayfield proving to be just as good as advertised, the Tigers know that they have something to prove as the regular season prepares to kick-off.
“Our mentality right now is to ficus on one game at a time,” running back/linebacker Dax Bender said. “We know our expectations and we just need to be solid throughout the year.”
Bender was one of the key two-way players for the Tigers a year ago, running for over 500 yards while registering six turnovers on the defensive end.
He’ll be just one La Junta player amongst a strong senior class that Buderus will lean on for the Tigers.
“I really think we have a 12 leaders,” Buderus said. “I really do. Our kids are so close. They do everything together, they spend all their time together. It’s good to have a leader (like Bender) to put everybody on his back and take you.”
And that’s exactly what he plans on doing. The Tigers have been without a state football championship since 1958 and there is no doubt in their mind that they have the talent on the field this season to end that streak.
“We’ve been working really hard since our freshman year and we have a lot of varsity experience,” Bender said. “That’s the plan (to bring home a title) but we have to play really hard every game. We can’t let anyone undercut us.”
And if anything, that disappointing loss to Bayfield will only serve as firewood for La Junta. Buderus knows that that the season ending the way it did will only provide fruitful longterm results.
“The kids were upset,” Buderus said. “But I think it was good for us to get there. Obviously we wanted to get the win, but I don’t think the outcome should’ve been what it was. I think we were a little in the spotlight and we’d never been there. I think you need to knock on the door before you can kick it in.”
Small-school football preview
Defending champions:
- 2A: Bayfield
- 1A: Buena Vista
- 8-man: Sedgwick County
- 6-man: Eads
- 2A: Cade Becker (Sr.) Bennett, Jesse Rodriquez (Jr.) Bennett, Isaiah Sanchez (Sr.) The Academy, Livan Santander (Sr.) Delta, Michael Stevenson, (Sr.) Resurrection Christian, William Wallace, (Sr.) Strasburg, Sam Westbrook (Sr.) Bayfield
- 1A: Kevin Bailey (Sr.) Rye, Jack Baroni (Sr.) Buena Vista, Jett County (Sr.) Burlington, Matthew Davidson (Sr.) Ellicott, Keith Dunagan (Sr.) Crowley County, Justin Engesser (Sr.) Colorado Springs Christian, Tyler Illgen (Sr.) Meeker, Braden Kappel (Sr.) Limon, Justis Marshall (Sr.) Burlington, Jason Murphy (Sr.) John Mall, Connor Peterson (Sr.) Platte Canyon, Dagan Rienks (Sr.) Paonia, Trevor Smith (Sr.) Paonia
- 8-man: Trenton Armintrout (Sr.) Norwood, Levi Basler (Sr.) Akron, Justin Hacsi (Sr.) Sargent, Chad Mikelson (Sr.) Sedgwick County, Bridger Reese (Sr.) Akron, Hunter Robins (Sr.) Hoehne, Caleb Urwiller (Sr.) Dayspring Christian
- 6-man: Jaxon Crawford (Sr.) Kit Carson, Jaxon King (Sr.) Fleming, Fred Turner (Sr.) Eads, Alex Vandenbark (Sr.) Fleming, Darian Wagner (Sr.) Arickaree/Woodlin, Trevor Warren (Sr.) La Veta
Regular season begins: Aug. 25
Postseason begins: Oct. 29
State championship: Nov. 19 (6-man), Nov. 26 (8-man, 1A and 2A)