2018 Preseason: Klondike Cougars

By Bobbie Brown

As soon as I pulled up to the Klondike football field, I noticed the green grass. It looks like a carpet. I wanted to fling my shoes off and run through it but reined that in as I had Cougars to see. The Cougars started in the weight room and then migrated over to the practice field. I caught Coach Degraffenreid coming out of the weight room and walked with him. This is his second year at Klondike. I asked him about the extra tall goal posts. It seems the old goal posts were made by the Klondike FFA kids in the 1970’s. One of the posts broke in two during track season. It was time to get new ones. And new ones they got! Can’t miss them now!
 
During practice, I notice that the back side of the practice field is a view that is amazing. As far as the eye can see, fields stretch to the horizon. Wednesdays are for playing what amounts to the minutes of a full four quarters. Offense and Defense. The Cougars work hard on both sides of the ball. Coach D yells, “It’s a great day to have a great day! Let’s go!” This set the tone of a great practice that ended with running. Interesting thing is they run a 40 for each game they will play. They shout the name of the opponent for that game while starting to run. They continue with a 40 for each playoff game all the way up to the state game. Words of motivation fly around often during the 40s. The Cougars finish strong with extra motivation of, “The last five games are always the same. Everyone is TIRED. But you aren’t 66 to nuthin’ tired!”
 
I end my time at Klondike in the coach’s office. I’ve talked to Mr. Kylar Pepper. You will see an article about him soon. As we sit talking, something hits the top of the building and rumbles. Coach indicates that the kicker has really gone above and beyond. That rumble was the football landing on top. If you’ve never been to Klondike, the dressing rooms and office is quite a way from the goal posts. Gotta watch those kickers from Klondike. They can kick!