After the Dolores Bears\u2019 42-0 road loss to the Cedaredge Bruins on Sept. 13, football was the last thing on everybody\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n
Instead, players, coaches and fans alike could only think of Cedaredge running back Reid Gates, a standout athlete and exceptional student, who tragically died after falling victim to carbon-monoxide poisoning Sept. 9.<\/p>\n
Before the game, Cedaredge captains Trent Walker and Kyle Word carried Gates\u2019 No. 22 jersey onto the field for the captains\u2019 meeting to pay tribute to their fallen teammate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew it was going to be an emotional environment,\u201d said Bears\u2019 head coach Chris Trusler. \u201cI just made sure my guys were cognizant of the emotions that were going to be there. I wanted to be sure that we were being strong representatives of our school and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once the game started, the Bruins played with energy and determination, using a combination of efficient rushing and timely passing to overwhelm the visiting Bears.<\/p>\n
Even so, Trusler came away pleased with certain aspects of his team\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guys started gelling together a little bit,\u201d said Trusler. \u201cWe were able to move the ball a little bit more on offense. The defense was able to come together pretty well. They started stopping and slowing down (Cedaredge\u2019s) offensive attack.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than any offensive or defensive improvements, however, the game was about remembering Gates.<\/p>\n
As a way to honor Gates and show solidarity with the entire Cedaredge community, each Bears\u2019 player wore a sticker on his helmet honoring the Bruins\u2019 fallen star.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were privileged, even with a tough loss, to be part of the remembrance of Reid Gates,\u201d said Trusler.<\/p>\n
With their record now at 0-2 following two tough road games to open the season, the Bears will return to Dolores for their home opener against Paonia at 7 p.m. Sept. 20.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids are really excited to play at home for the first time this year,\u201d said Trusler. \u201cWe\u2019ll be going up against another real tough team. They have a really strong running game. We\u2019ve got to continue fine tuning things on offense and defense, and we need to keep building on our forward progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
imaclaren@cortezjournal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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