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Brotherhood of the Wolves

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Contributed by: Sean Sims on 8/20/2008

Until this 2008 high school football season, about three short, jagged miles have separated a longstanding rivalry that split the city of Westminster and often pitted family and friends against each other. But now, with the construction of a new high school combining Iver C. Ranum High school Raiders and Westminster High school Warriors in 2011, their athletic programs have had to come together three years early, as players continue to attend their respective schools.

Facing District 50's leadership team was much more than the simple hiring of a new football coach competent in calling plays and motivating players. Weeding through resumes of skilled high-school level coaches was, in all likelihood, elementary; selecting a candidate prepared to mend years of bad blood was not so elementary.

To start the new program would be the coach's most difficult task at hand. They would have to convince players to forgive deep and painful, physical and emotional bruises left by blinding, celebrated hits as well as persuade them to forget years of homecoming spoilers celebrated in earnest with jubilant taunting. Forging a new, sincere bond between incoming and returning Ranum and Westminster players was key. So how appropriate, or perhaps ironic, that former Ranum Raiders football coach Matt Brothers is hired for the job.

Being that practices are on Ranum's field, while the new school is being constructed at the current Westminster High location, made the first practices awkward for Westminster players. Yet the Wolves now have other teams calling them "Frankenstein" -- in the way of which the team was thrown together -- and how a bolt of lighting has struck and brought unity -- the team is certainly alive. Head coach Mathew Brothers and staff: Greg Mattei, offensive coordinator; Steve McKee, wide receivers coach; Tom Baum, special teams' & linebackers; Brandon Bennett, defensive line; Vince Vierys, running back; Jesse Wisner, offensive line ... have all taken bits and pieces of Raiders and Warriors' talent to create a courageous team excited to face 5A powerhouse darlings: Pomona, Arvada West, Columbine, and Bear Creek, in spite of their long histories of unity and playoff experience.

Whether Coach Brothers is praying for answers and guidance in solitude, or soliciting a host of prayers, is unknown; however, what he has quickly established in a team of young men and one young lady is that: " With faith as small as a muster seed you can move a mountain". And with the daunting task of competing at the 5A level, it has been insanely difficult to get a team ready for such conditioned competition. Yet Matt Brothers has done just that. He took a team of bitter rivals, forced to work together, and made them a brotherhood ready for the toughest conference in Colorado (The Big 8). All players look forward to birthing a new legacy.

Whatever the Westminster Wolves wins-versus-losses record shall be, come playoffs in November, Ranum Raiders and Westminster Warriors have solidified a bold brotherhood to be proud of. They are the first to look long despised rivals in the eyes and assure them: "We fight together". They have purged the bad blood of the old Generations. It all began with faith as small as a mustard seed.

The Westminster Wolves will be in action against WC Hinkley on August 29; East High on September 6; Pomona High on September 12; homecoming against Regis on October 10; and final regular season game against Columbine High October 17; all at District 50 Stadium. Other times and stadium addresses are on the schools websites' (Ranum or Westminster). Come and see the beginning of a new legacy.

Sean Sims
#69 Defensive End
Westminster Wolves

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Submitted By: shanice sims

posted on 8/20/2008 @ 12:07:26 PM

Rated Story

really great writing!!

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Sean Sims

Westminster , CO

Sean Sims has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 8/20/2008. Sean Sims 's average story rating is 5.

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