Jack Stone leads GHS football in late-season duels

Ethan Pierce scans downfield. (Photo by Evan Bjornstad)

Stoic and focused, Jack Stone was all business for the GHS football team. The center took the field for each practice and game with meticulous attention to detail. He has the same workman-like personality, but, at some point, GHS coach Chase Starman noticed a

change.

“Jack Stone is very coachable,” Starman said. “He’s super timid. We’d joke around and there’d

be no reaction at all. But, at some point in the season, he joined right in with the guys. At the end of the year, he was even messing around with me.”

Because growth in player development isn’t always linear, Stone shedding his buttoned-up

nature is part of his evolution. As players’ skills, schemes and even personalities evolved,

Starman saw underclassmen mature into leaders ready to push the Cowboys to the next level.

As GHS wrapped up its season with a controversial, 13-7 loss at Salida on Oct. 30, Starman saw the potential that exists for his team to take the next step in the offseason.

After a shanked punt and penalty gave the Cowboys a redzone possession as the final seconds of the season dripped off the clock, it came down to a 4th-down play. The ball appeared to be

punched out on Ethan Pierce’s tush push. Del Magdaleno jumped on the loose ball in the end

zone. Everyone celebrated and it looked like the Cowboys had a walk-off touchdown to end

their season.

But, the officials waved off the score, Pierce was called down at the spot of the fumble, and the game was over.

“We saw it all the way through to the very last second of the season,” Starman said. “It’s not the result we wanted, but we put it all out there. There’s nothing glamorous about being 1-8. It was a true test.”

In addition to Stone returning to anchor the Cowboys’ offensive line next season, Starman also

pointed out the impact he expects Deegan Bennett and Asher Woytek as underclassmen take

the next step forward in the offseason.

Even as Starman walked off the field, disappointed a positive result didn’t follow the Cowboys

into the offseason, the prospects of hope permeated through the team as he made his way to

the locker room.

“I had a freshman come up to me and ask if we are going to the Western Camp,” Starman said.

“That was awesome. We are building something here. We’re looking forward to the offseason.

To be dedicated to the process and to always be moving the program forward.”