KENS 5 spoke with players and head coaches from Kerrville Tivy, Ingram and Comfort ahead of their first games of the Texas high school football season.
TEXAS, USA — Communities forever changed by the deadly floods that devastated the Texas Hill Country in July, are finding healing with the return of Friday night football.
KENS 5’s Vinnie Vinzetta visited with players and the head coaches from Kerrville Tivy, Ingram and Comfort High School ahead of their season kickoffs, nearly two months since the tragedy.
“I can’t imagine. I just can’t imagine that camp with all those kids,” said Comfort Head Coach Jay Rieken.
“It has been rough, but everyone is getting through it,” said Ingram Senior WR/DB Bowden Zipp.
“I’ve never been so proud to be an athletic director at a place,” said Ingram Head Coach Tate DeMasco.
“Unity and us supporting one another,” said Kerrville Tivy Head Coach Curtis Neill.
Comfort Senior Case Barrett said time heals everything.
“We’re all here for each other,” he said.
There’s no doubt that things are different and much has changed since July 4, but sometimes sports can be just what healing communities need.
“Sports and particularly football in small town America brings people together,” said Coach Neill.
“It brings a sense of community when everybody shows up at the games,” said Zipp. “It is just a fun thing to be a part of.”
Coach Rieken wants the games to bring people together, if for nothing more than getting away from some of the tough realities for two or three hours.
“Everyone is going be pumped up with the first game jitters and just ready to get out there and play for everyone out here and in the stands,” said Barrett. “Just play for everyone that has been hurt and show everyone what Comfort can do.”
“Friday Night Lights might take their minds of it a little bit,” said Comfort senior RB/DB Hunter Ledlow. “Get a burger, have some fun and watch some football.”
I asked what was going to be on their minds in the hours leading up to kickoff.
“I’m going to be thinking about all the kids from Camp Mystic because I’ve gone there and I’ve worked there,” said senior WR President Calamaco.
“The kids that were lost that went to Hunt School,” said senior WR/DB Hunter Cobb.
“I’m gonna be thinking of that camp with all those girls that are gone,” said Barrett.
“Just the community and everyone that was affected,” said Zipp.
“People from across the state that came to help and never knew where Ingram was,” said Coach DeMasco.
“Coach Zunker will 100% be on my mind and trying to honor his legacy,” said Coach Neill.
As those football seasons kickoff Friday night, you can be certain that they’ll be the first games of seasons that will be remembered much deeper than any others.
“100% percent,” said Hunter Ledlow. “The season is gonna mean more to me for sure.”
“It is probably going to be one of the most important seasons ever,” said Comfort senior QB Carter Pape.
“It is going to mean a little bit more,” said Coach Neill. “There is going to be a little more grit and a little more fight.”
“Winning a state championship is the ultimate goal,” said Calamaco. “I wanna bring something back to Kerrville. I want them to know that we did it for them.”
‘It is important for us not just to do good but to do good for the community to show people that we’re not just playing for us, but we’re playing for them,” said Pape.
“We’ve been through lots this season and our community could use some wins and we’re ready to go out there and deliver,” said Antlers senior QB Colin Rose.