Football defines Sutter Huskies
Family, friends, classmates and fans sit frozen at the edge of the stands. The consistent tick of someone's watch feels like a heartbeat among the tacit anticipation. A single word by the announcer, and the crowd is released from its silent trance — touchdown! Fans erupt in jubilee, air horns scream and everyone is on their feet with wide grins across their faces.
Such a thrilling display of physical prowess by the Sutter Union High School football team, as well as the electrifying spirit of loyal fans, is displayed nearly every Friday night.
Football defines the Huskies at SUHS. However, it is not the many league titles, Butte View League championships or any other major wins or awards that solely characterize Sutter football; it is the passion for the game, the family bond among the players and dedication to success.
When asked what defines Sutter football, Hayden Childers, a senior at SUHS, said, "It's based on the family aspect of the team and the hard work that needs to be put in to achieve excellence. I have complete confidence in the guys on my team and am certain that they can face any task and always get the job done."
And last Friday, the Sutter football team did "get the job done" with a powerful and crucial 42-15 win over Wheatland. Commenting on the intrepid playing that led to this win, Matt Brugman, a senior at SUHS, said, "Our defense has been strong the whole season, but we really picked up our offense and came out strong this last game. The win brought an incredible feeling. We lost to Wheatland early in the season, and it felt great to come back."
This win brought Sutter to the No. 2 seed in the Northern Section Division II playoffs, and with a first round bye, their first playoff game will be next Nov. 20 at Wayne Gadberry field. A home game means a spirited home crowd and a huge boost to team morale. SUHS football games become a town event as the Friday night lights draw in hundreds of eager spectators.
These Division II football playoffs will test the ability of the Sutter Huskies, but the team has long prepared for them with consistently high-tempo practices, hours of game film and devotion to the Husky tradition of commitment to the team.
As Sutter coach Ryan Reynolds said, "Big players step up in big games," and the football playoffs bring about some of the biggest games of the year.
Kelsey Bradley is a senior at Sutter Union High School. Her column appears about every sixth week in Education.
