Five Chiefs make Class 'A' Top 10

They didn't win a game this season, but the Ronan Chiefs boast some very talented players.

Take junior running back Tylar Espinosa for example. He is currently in the Class "A" Top 10 for individual rushing. Espinosa had 69 carries and 487 yards for an amazing 7.1 average yards per carry — the second highest average in the league.

Last year Espinosa was a receiver for the Mission Bulldogs, but he believes he found his calling this year as a running back. He said he couldn't have racked up so many yards without the help his linemen.

"If something happens for me, it happens for everyone," he said. "If it wasn't for the line, I couldn't have done half the stuff I did."

Another team member boasting some impressive stats was QB Alan Skogen, who was third in Class "A" Top 10 for percentage of PAT's made, finishing with an 80 percent average. Skogen also had some good passing numbers, making 27 completions out of 66 attempts for 300 yards total.

"I like leading the team," he said. "Or at least trying to."

"I wish we could have had a few more wins," said Tim Gauthier, who is looking forward to playing football in college next year. He is eyeing Concordia University Saint Paul, in Minnesota. Gauthier finished his high school career by placing second in average yards per kick-off return. He had eight returns for 202 yards for a whopping 25.25 yard average. With eight receptions for 125 yards, Gauthier placed fifth in the conference on average yards per reception, with 15.63.

Senior Bud Collicot also made the Top 10 list with eight kick off returns for 122 yards for a 15.25 average. Collicot is hanging up his helmet and is hoping to make the basketball team at Glendale Community College in Arizona next year.

Joe McCarthy came in first for punt return average. With 8 returns he racked up 204 yards, averaging 22.5 yards per return to lead the league. He also came in 10th for kick off returns, averaging 14.70 yards with 10 returns. He made the list last year as a freshman for punt returns, too.

"I couldn't have done it without our defense," he said of his returns. "A lot of those blocks helped with it."

They admit that the season had been frustrating with no wins, but they're looking toward next year with optimism. Espinosa and Skogen, along with 13 other current juniors, will be anchoring the team next year as seniors, and said they are looking forward to being in leadership positions.

"The biggest thing we need is upper class leadership and with the seniors coming up next year, we'll have a lot of it," Espinosa said. "Next year, we should make things turn around."