The Raptor football season came to an end Friday night. The scoreboard ticked down to 0 and it read Home team 34, Away team 24. It was a bittersweet moment for the Eaglecrest Raptors and their supporters. The team ended 11-1, one of the best records in school history.

They rejuvenated not only the football program under Coach Mike Schmidt but the whole community. Every home game at Legacy and even away to an extent, whether the game was on a Thursday or Friday, everyone knew where to go.

Nobody saw this coming. An a 11-1 finish this year was phenomenal. Last year was the start of something special with a relatively young core. This season they capitalized on that and gave every fan something to be proud of.

Led by quarterback Jalen Mergerson, the offensive attack was key. Whether he ran the ball or threw it, something big was bound to happen every down. Receivers like Theryne Jimenz or Corey Corbin and tight end Tyler Peabody made sure the offense was exciting. No one can forget the running backs either this season: Jaydin Vaughn, Jordan Jackson, Kenny Wantings, and all around player Victor Garnes ran the rock hard and pushed past every yard line that they could. The most important part of the offense — the offensive linemen. This strong group of men: Jake Wiley, Matthew Youngblood, Reece Atteberry, Mac Shaw, Barrett Miller, and others. These are only some of the players who kept the engine running on the offensive side.

The defense for the Raptors was another bright spot for the Raptors this season. Led by the men up front which featured Air Force commit Elijah Brockman, Kyante Christian, Youngblood, Harrison Starling, and other big men. The linebacker crew with Quentin Bowen, Elijah Anderson, Tyler Dufor, Cody Bardin, Jakai Thurmond, Jackie Wynn, and others who held down the middle and outside. The secondary unit wasn’t silent either led by the big defensive key Garnes, Jimenez, Bross Lee, Kyle Johnson, and other factors.

Each player made a lasting impact on and off the field. It was fun to watch. These players also grew as young men under Coach Schmitt and crew.

With the impact these men left, a shout out to the seniors who stepped on the field this season would be permissible. Eric Jenkins, Tyler Peabody, Connor Dietz, Ladarion Wells, Brenden Rodriguez, Bross Lee, Quentin Bowen, Kyle Johnson, Jordan Jackson, Kevin Castrejon, Elijah Brockman, James Espinoza, Harrison Starling, Wesley Weide, Chad Ronish, and Jackie Wynn. Thank you to every player, every coach, and every fan, all of which dedicated an immense amount of time; you made this extraordinary season possible. Something that will last forever. Something bigger than a championship.