By Carter Sampson
Our varsity football team’s tremendous 2015-16 season was brought to a close on Nov.  14 in a nail biting quarterfinal game against the Round Valley Elks. This year the Knights confirmed their position as a perennial title contender and one of the most physical teams in Division V.
Despite a team of only 30 players, the 12 seniors and their younger teammates put together an 8-4 record. They battled out close games with two of the top teams in Division IV: Northwest Christian and Snowflake High School. With only one regular season loss to a team in the same division, our Knights secured a playoff spot through disciplined, defensive football.
Unfortunately, the journey ended when the Knights had to travel to Eager (nobody’s first choice for a vacation spot) and play in extremely cold (for Arizona) weather. The game against Round Valley was close into the final seconds, until the Elks finally pulled away with a 12-6 win.
Anything short of a championship was a tragedy to the players and coaches, but the season remained an unforgettable experience for all. Senior linebacker/running back Isaiah Brittain said of the season, “It didn’t end the way we wanted, but it was fun. It’s been a good 3-4 years with these seniors.”
While the season was cut short, our Knights certainly played at a championship level — outscoring opponents 376-163, and averaging 219 rushing yards per game. These statistics testify of the heart of the team, dominating at the line of scrimmage and playing passionate, stout defense.
Here’s how Coach Brittain sums up the season: “The 2015 Knights were not supposed to be a good team. But these 12 Seniors believed otherwise. In their four years they were 38-13.  They were in the quarter-finals twice; the semi-finals twice; and as juniors, advanced to the state championship. But more important than all these accomplishments is this: They played the great game with great passion and they forged friendships that will stand the test of time. May God continue to bless the KNIGHTS!”
The future of the program remains bright, considering the 8-1 Junior High team and the 5-0 Junior Varsity squad. The JV team outscored opponents 220-30, preparing the players to bring their success into the varsity stage. Under the leadership of our fantastic coaching staff, led by Coach Brittain, our program is sure to continue its winning ways.
Congratulations and thank you to all those involved with our great football program. We Believe!