Roosevelt football expects culture of toughness to breed success

Roosevelt football was one win away from reaching the Class 3A football state championship last season. The No. 1-seeded Roughriders ripped off 12 straight wins before losing to No. 5 Mead in a 3A semifinal matchup. 

In 2020, Roosevelt lost in the 3A state championship game to No. 3 Durango. 

The Roughriders, despite the talent and pedigree, came up short in back-to-back seasons. How does the program recover? Roosevelt head coach Lane Wasinger says it’s simple. 

“I believe that we’ve created a culture at Roosevelt that breeds toughness and competitiveness throughout the program,” Wasinger said during Broncos/CHSAA Fall Sports High School Media Day. “Tradition doesn’t graduate. The ‘R’ on their helmet is the same every year and the expectation stays the same.” 

Several members of the Roosevelt roster are well-versed with the program’s tradition, including Bronco Hartson. He played sparingly last season as the backup quarterback but enters his junior season as the unquestioned starter. 

“I love all the guys around me,” said Hartson during Media Day. “I think we’re going to have a great year. I’m ready for my time and to show what I can do.” 

In Roosevelt’s season-opening 35-18 win over Palisade on Friday, Hartson showed fans a glimpse at his ceiling, completing 10-of-15 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns. He led a potent aerial attack, finding wide receiver Tucker Peterson six times for 100 yards and two touchdowns. 

Roosevelt running backs Ryan Doucette and Xavier Ramirez combined for 242 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Meanwhile, the Roughriders’ defense picked up 13 tackles for a loss and had one sack and a fumble recovery. 

There was little rust for a program that entered the 2022 season as the No. 2-ranked team in 3A and took over the top spot from Mead after Week 1.

But considering the Roughriders’ back-to-back late postseason losses, as the No. 1 seed in each, some might be ready to write them off. 

“We’re hungry,” Peterson said before the team’s season opener. “I think a lot of people are going to overlook us. But that’s what we want. We live in the shadows and we’re ready to hit you in the mouth.” 

Senior linebacker Andrew Lara collected his share of hits on Friday with 11 tackles and three tackles for loss. He joins Peterson as another top returnee for the Roughriders. Elizar Valencia, who collected the team’s lone sack against Palisade, is another.

Several players on this year’s roster have been playing together since they were 9. In their last year playing at Peterson Field, they want to make it count. 

“To actually be something you gotta be about it, not just talk about it,” Doucette said. “There was a lot of talk last year but I think we’re going to be about it this year.”