Grand Valley football looks to bounce back from tough year
Post Independent Contributor
Head Coach: Tim Lenard, 5th year
Last Season: 2-7 overall, 1-4 1A Western Slope League
Key Returners: Brandon Radel, Sr.; Eric France, Jr.; Caleb Frink, Jr.; Hector DeLacruz, Jr.; Justice France, So.
Athletes to Watch: Steven Hicks, Fr.
With 43 players reporting for the start of fall football practice on Aug. 12, the most ever under fifth-year head coach Tim Lenard, the Grand Valley Cardinals are hoping to bounce back from a subpar 2018 campaign and make some of the top competition in the 1A Western Slope League stand up and take notice in 2019.
“If we can build some consistency and eliminate the mental mistakes, we will have a chance to fight for a playoff spot,” Lenard said. “This is a young team, though. We only have four seniors.”
Lenard looks to Meeker as the team to beat in the conference, with Olathe and Paonia right in the thick of things.
“Meeker returns quite a few kids from a good team last year and they have a very talented quarterback,” Lenard said.
The Cardinals jump right into the proverbial fire to open the season as they will travel to Rifle on Aug. 30 to face off with the always tough 2A Bears. The following week at home, Grand Valley will be tested by one of the best the 2A classification has to offer when the Kent Denver Sun Devils pay a visit to Parachute.
“We’re excited about the season ahead,” Lenard said. “If we can stay consistent and the kids keep working hard, we may be able to surprise some people.”
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
