All-Conference Players named at HEM

"They all earned it this year," Zach Scott, Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School football coach said aof his players being named to All-Conference this season. "They were all huge parts of this team, and they were what made this team go."

Senior Ura Schmidt is an example Scott gave of a player who kept at it although the player was injured his sophomore season and couldn't play.

"Ura put in the effort all the years he played and this year he got all conference," Scott said. "It is gratifying."

Schmidt said he was glad there was a season.

"I am super glad we got to have a season and I got to play with all my friends," Schmidt said. "We battled every game even though there were times it didn't turn out the way we wanted. There was no give this year. The problem is when people see a score and it is a lot to a little, they think the low scoring team just gave up. That was never the way it was for us this season."

Besides thanking his teammates for all their efforts during the season, he had a message to someone special.

"I want to thank my Mom," Schmidt said. "She has really encouraged me throughout the season even when it was tough."

Scott said he always cheered on Taylor Kennedy to play football over the past years.

"I've always told Taylor, I thought football was his game," Scott said. "He worked hard and eventually proved it to himself, that it is his game and he is very good at it."

Kennedy admitted it was hard work.

"Getting the honor felt really good, because I did work hard all season," Kennedy said. "I felt like I improved a lot from the seasons before."

Kennedy was happy to be on the team he was this year.

"I love playing with these guys and I am going to miss playing with them next year," Kennedy said.

Devon Grosstick was a player who put up great stats during the season and Scott had anticipated this player making All-Conference.

"Devon never gave up and he was a leader for others," Scott said. "Again, it was an honor he deserved."

Grosstock has been named All-Conference for the fourth time.

"It felt good to be named All-Conference my entire high school football career," Grosstick said. "I played with a good group of boys this year, and we had a good season as far as everything that happened. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else with any other team playing football."

Tom Wagner, a sophomore, got an honorable mention which made Scott happy too with his play this year. He said Wagner was developing into a player that was going to help the team in the future.

"It was very cool to be honorably mentioned because I really had to step up from last year where I was on the second team and this year I started," Wagner said. "This year I played more defense and although it didn't turn out exactly as we wanted, it was still excellent to get the opportunity to play."

These honors come from coaches and Scott is glad these players are recognized by others who understand the commitment these players have.

"They had to get the votes," Scott said. "It was a unanimous pick."

Scott said he had faith the players would get better if they worked hard at the game.

"I am proud of them and glad that their hard work paid off," Scott said. "What I am thankful for is that there was a season. I can't imagine being a high school kid and not having high school athletics. It would be such a hole in high school memories if these kids didn't have a chance to play."

These awards and boys' happiness in receiving them, prove it was worth every effort to have a season, even though it has not been easy on teams or fans.