Excitement following Thomas Jefferson football’s state title gives Randy Yeboah the “heebie jeebies”

When Thomas Jefferson won the Class 4A football state championship in Season C back on May 14 at CSU-Pueblo, it was time to party like it was 1989, as the Spartans captured their first state championship in 31 years.

It was an emotional comeback win that even gave now senior Randy Yeboah the “heebie jeebies.”

At this point it has not been confirmed whether the term “heebie jeebies” has ever been used in a high school press conference, but when asked to elaborate at Broncos High School Media Day on Monday, Yeboah describe the feeling as one that, “Is a crazy feeling… you feel something tingling in your body.”

While not all of Yeboah’s teammates may have felt the same feeling, they all find that their state title victory is an achievement that is both important for their program, and for the entire Thomas Jefferson community.

“TJ has had a great tradition of football since the ‘60s… we try to keep that sacred to us,” head coach Mike Griebel said. “It has been 11 years since we had won a playoff game or league title.”

Griebel knew it was time to get the historic program back on track, but he wasn’t able to do it on just his coaching alone – it took the commitment of his players to find success.

“Last year when [Coach Griebel] first came, I don’t feel like we had as much success because people didn’t buy in,” senior Jalen Shipp said. “When you buy in, it works.”

Shipp’s Thomas Jefferson teammates added that learning discipline in both football and academics were other factors that allowed the Spartans’ program to reach the next level.

As the Spartans look ahead to fall of 2021, now as the defending state champions, they’re focused on their mental game as they get closer to their first physical game. They want to, “Go 1-0 every time,” explained Shipp.

“We lost a few players, but we’re still a team at the end of the day,” he added.

After their historic win inspired the entire Denver Public Schools community, the team is hoping to keep doing what they’re doing by working as one collective unit, both on and off the field.

As all defending state champions do, Thomas Jefferson now has a target on their back as the team to beat in 4A football. Coach Griebel knows that, “[The target] is definitely there.” His team is embracing that feeling every day in practice.

While reminiscing about their championship was an enjoyable time for the Spartans at Broncos High School Media Day, they’re ready to turn the page on last May as they get prepared for their season opener at Eagle Valley on Saturday, Aug. 28.