High School athletes hoping to reach the next level have the impossible task of trying to make their mark in four short, jam-packed years. 

Grayson Isenhart spotted the monumental task in front of him, and left Coal Ridge High School with his names scribbled all over Colorado High School football history books. 

Isenhart, a senior three-sport athlete, signed his official letter of intent to Hastings College on Wednesday afternoon in Coal Ridge High School’s gym. He was surrounded by his friends, family, coaches, and teammates when he put pen to paper, laying out the path for his next steps in his athletic and academic career. 

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“Since I could talk, if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up it was always an NFL player, and that still holds true today,” Isenhart said. “I wanted to be an Oregon Duck, get drafted by the Denver Broncos, and be elected into the Hall of Fame. I have the same amount of passion for football as I always have.”

Although the Oregon Ducks weren’t one of the college programs scouting Isenhart, there were no shortage of schools looking to bring the New Castle kid into the fold. Isenhart and his family toured seven schools in just 10 days across four states, but the second they stepped onto Hastings’ campus, he felt at home. 

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“As soon as we got to Hastings, it just felt like a place I wanted to live,” Isenhart explained. “After meeting all the coaches and touring, I knew this was the place I was going, although it was still hard to pick. I had met some very cool coaches and toured some beautiful campuses, but Hastings was calling my name.” 

The Coal Ridge Titans athletic programs will take a student-leadership hit after Isenhart takes his talents to southern Nebraska. The varsity middle linebacker, outfielder, and track and field star was feared no matter the playing surface. But when he was on the gridiron, opposing coaches made notice no matter where he lined up. He played 31 games for Coal Ridge football, according to MaxPreps, and will graduate as one of the best to ever put on the blue and black. 

“I always wanted to be a Titan just as much as a Denver Bronco or a Boston Red Sox,” Isenhart said. “I could never imagine going to another high school no matter how good their football team is or if I would have had better opportunities. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”

As Isenhart takes the first steps on his new path, he leaves behind numbers that will have a tough time being replicated, although he hopes they will be soon. He finished his high school career with 417 total tackles, the 18th most in the history of high school football in Colorado. His 168 tackles this past season was the 25th most in the history of Colorado, and his 28 tackles against Basalt in October was the 16th most in a single game. His unfathomable 168 tackles last season wasn’t just the most in 2A football, but in the entire state. The momentous number placed him in the top 100 tacklers in the entire nation last year. 

“It means a lot to have multiple school and state records but it’s not everything,” Isenhart said. “It is cool to see my name up on the wall and on CHSAA’s website but it isn’t everything. I’m hoping that some Coal Ridge kid with a good work ethic and attitude comes in and breaks them.”

Playing in only four games in his freshman season lit a burning fire inside the young man that could have powered the Titanic. Isenhart’s competitive nature is the never ending pile of coal that will continue to fuel his fire for years to come. After his freshman campaign, the Coal Ridge High School weight room saw his familiar face every morning at 6 a.m. What may seem like overkill to some, was never a question for Isenhart. He knew the necessity of getting stronger and faster to help his own game, but he also saw the importance of bringing the team together as a unit. As a sophomore, Isenhart started every game over a senior. 

“That drive to always win and compete fuels me to be the best at whatever I do. I have found to enjoy the grind and all the little things,” he said. “Since my freshman season, before every school day, I’ve been in the weight room at 6 a.m. working my tail off to get stronger and faster. It’s something about being by yourself and grinding before most people wake up that inspires me. That sophomore year is when I really put my foot in the door and wanted to be a good player but also a great teammate.”

The drive for success isn’t just a personal goal for Isenhart. He understands the amount of time and dedication that his friends, family, and coaches have put into his dreams, and doesn’t want to let them down. 

“There are a few days that I don’t want to do anything but I think about how I want to reach my goals and how my teammates, coaches, and parents care about me. I wouldn’t want to disappoint them or disappoint myself,” he said. 

Coal Ridge’s head coach, Justin Reed, is sad to see Isenhart go, but is incredibly proud of everything he accomplished as a Titan.

“He is always the first one in the weightroom in the morning and one of the last to leave practice in season,” Reed said. “He brings a contagious energy and passion for the sport of football that those that play with him benefit from. It was a pleasure to be able to coach him for two years and I anticipate him continuing on his high level of play at the next level.”