Meet your 2015 Rock Springs Tigers or casually known as the: #Streakbreakers
In this article I wanted to get to know the Tigers and figure out what is making their season so special. After interviews with nine players each playing different positions, I got a deep dig on what this season is all about.
The Rock Springs Tigers football team is currently standing at a record of 3-1 with wins being against, Cheyenne Central 51-31, Kelly Walsh 28-21, Larmie 14-13, and their only loss being a nail bitter against Cheyenne East 13-7. The Tigers went into the season tons of optimism and confidence. Feeling good about themselves and the coaches believing in them has been a staple throughout the season, but the reporters and coaches thought otherwise. When Wyopreps.com came out with their "Pre season rankings" the Tigers were predicted to finish dead last. Now? Well in the current Wyovarsity power rankings they were ranked 4th. And are currently 4th in the standings as well.
Every single player I interviewed seemed to say the same thing that has helped them: weights. The team worked tirelessly lifting weights and working on their strength during the summer. Coach Hastings has a specific weights program to get players the strength they need specifically for the football field. Also, nearly all agreed that now with the coaching staff they have, they feel as though each coach can work on his specific job, whether, it be defense, offense, special teams, etc. What I got from this interview process as well was-the team chemistry is phenomenal. They realize they may not always get along, but will come together at anytime for anything, during the high, they'll be there for eachother, when it gets bad, they'll always be there for eachother. It's quite remarkable.
The first question I had for them was: What about the coaching staff, how are they different and what are they emphasizing?
"It's been huge for us to have a specific Offensive and Defensive coach. They've been able to emphasize our schemes and better technique. Also they've always told us how good we were, and that it was just a matter of whether we believed it or not. The weight room has done wonders for us and our work during the summer is the reason we've had so much success"- Team Captain Carter Rosette
"What's different is the team itself. So many kids spent so much time in the weight room, we're stronger than we were last year. And just have more players to fill different spots. The new coaches have impacted a lot as well. Last year, Hastings ran it all. But now all he has to worry about is offense. And he can rely on other coaches to back him up. To be coaches. Defense is settled, and we have amazing coaches." - Running back Matt Fowler
The next question I had was more geared towards the offensive players: What elements has the "new" offense been able to bring since you're no longer under center?
"We've been able to open up the run game to more than one person. And also allows us to open up our pass game more effectively"- Quarterback Wrylee Padilla
"Well, it makes us be able to move a little faster. The running backs aren't having to open up in a weird way, we just go down field. It's not so clustered, I like it a lot. And it opens up the passing game a lot" - Running Back Matt Fowler
"Yeah, I don't really do much but I feel that it allows us to maneuver and read a lot better than last year under center. Not just for the backs, but the line as well."- Running Back Oaklan Jenkins
Next question was directed at Matt Fowler: How has the emergence of Oaklan Jenkins helped you open up the running attack?
"Well, Oaklan is such a great athlete, and runs the ball hard. What's nice about having him is he's just as fast, and has the ability to break tackles. It's fairly easy to stop one running back. But with both of us in the backfield, it's almost impossible to shut us both down. It helps having him in tremendous ways."- Running back Matt Fowler
Question #3 is for mostly the secondary: You guys are ranked in the top half of pass defense in the state what have you, the secondary been able to do? Has it been more talent? Communication? The scheme?
"The secondary has just been rep after rep. Our defensive line and linebackers have been studs. They stop the run and force teams to throw and our scheme has put us in the right spot to make plays. We communicate excellent and we're all so versatile that we can use our athleticism to make plays and shut down teams like we did with Jared Lesley who was the best receiver in the state and had only one catch."- Defensive back Brayden Rondinelli
"A huge part has definitely been communication. We also have much more depth and athleticism than past years. Our 2's can be as productive as our 1's can and that makes us much more comfortable. Also, Coach Walker's scheme and his calls always put us in position to be successful." - Team Captain Carter Rosette
"I definitely believe there is a lot more communication then there was last year. We mix in a lot of different coverages that I believe can disrupt any offense's passing game. I think we've always had the talent, just needed to be more on the same page and really work technique. Also the weight room has definitely helped us become more physical, which is always a plus for a defender"- Defensive back Matt Vesco
Now, to the special teams and my question: Your guys special teams has been phenomenal, with the likes of Brayden Barker kicking the extra points, Wrylee Padilla is second in the state in punting stats, and Mason Randall is near the top of the state in kick return yards. Do you feel as if special teams has been a big part of your game?
"Special teams is huge part of the game and we're really emphasized that every day at practice. We work on it every practice and have specific coaches for each special teams. Also again, the weight room how been a huge part in that because of how much stronger and more physical we are"-Team captain Carter Rosette
The next was directed at the offensive linemen: The offensive line has been greatly improved, providing holes for the running backs and protecting the quarterback Wrylee Padilla. Why is that?
"Our o-line is very strong compared to the previous years we have dedicated a lot of time in the weight room. Also We really emphasize running full speed and staying low in practice and make sure we do our job every time"-Offensive and defensive lineman Collin Chivers
"Weight room. To be honest most of us couldn't even do the things we have been without all the work we put in during the summer. This is the strongest team I've ever been on and all the work is paying off."-Offensive and defensive lineman Freddie Curtis
Now, the linebackers and defensive lineman: The defensive line and linebackers have been able to put pressure on the quarterbacks and been able to stuff the run. Why is that?
"Well first of all we've all spent the majority of the off season in the weight room and that alone has helped a lot. We also communicate very well which allows all four of us to know what's going on and be on the same page. For example if we know that there's 3 receivers to one side we balance up to it, and whichever inside backer is to that side goes for the QB. Having that communication and strength has helped us a ton, and of course our amazing coaches are on the sideline making the right calls and coaching us up."- Linebacker Zac Tyler
"Our defensive line is coached to be very aggressive, using various moves and also were taught to fill the gap we are assigned this combination allows us to be able to pressure the quarterback and be ready for a run when it comes to our gap" Offensive and defensive lineman Collin Chivers
My last question was if they wanted to add any last tidbit, or something they wanted to get out there. Here's what some said:
"We still have a long way to go. We're just getting started."-Defensive back Brayden Rondinelli
"I'm so proud of my team and the work they've put in. But we have a long way to go, it's not over yet."- Running back Matt Fowler
"I just want people know we're a different team this season. Some of us may not get along off the field but when we're on that field under the lights we know how to come together and play as a unit. Not only that but we know how to overcome adversity. We're taking it week by week, game by game, play by play and we will earn our respect and shock the state, we've won three and that's great, but we aren't done yet."- Linebacker Zac Tyler
After Interviewing these great group of guys it seemed to me as if they were on a mission. They want to prove to everyone that they're the real deal, that this run isn't some magical run, a stroke of luck, or just their schedule. They feel like they have something else to prove. It also became clear that they are not done yet, that even though they have started 3-1 (the best start since 2002), they are not finished, bound and determined to keep shocking the state of Wyoming. And as always, the Tigers will be on the prowl.
The Tigers play the number one ranked Sheridan Broncs this Friday, at 7pm. You can listen to the game on 1360 AM or 99.7 FM.
