The Salt Lake Tribune
September 9, 2008
Prep football: Road toKamas
By Jennifer Gustavson
EASTERN UTAH - Midwaythrough the five-hour bus ride from Moab to Kamas on Friday, players on theGrand County football team found ways to keep themselves entertained.
Some listened toiPods. Others text messaged friends, girlfriends and family. Coach Dennis Wellsreviewed the playbook. A 5-pound bag of gummy worms made the rounds through thecrammed-to-capacity bus - with the linemen grabbing more than a handful. Afreshman sitting on the front row tried to nap but was interrupted by acontinuous stream of candy wrappers intended for the garbage can sitting at hisfeet.
In every way, it wasjust another game day for a team well-acquainted with long road trips.
Until a resoundinggroan turned every head toward the center of the bus.
"He just pulledthat piece of licorice down his nose and through his mouth," said oneplayer as the culprit proudly displayed the string of candy to his teammates.
"That'sawesome!"
Wells just shakes hishead.
"After collegeball, I told myself I'd never be on a bus again," said the Grand alum andformer Southern Utah University player. "Now I've found myself living onthis thing. I've jinxed myself, I guess."
Long weekends
As the coach of a teamlocated in a rural area of Utah, Wells has had to come to terms with weekendsspent on the road.
While Wells said hisplayers and coaches are both willing and accustomed to the travel, he says itcan take its toll.
"You've got tohave a pretty understanding wife," he said.
For its game againstSouth Summit, Grand packed 80 players into one school bus for what Wells saidwould be "one of the best matchups in 2A."
But the intensecompetition wasn't the reason for Grand's marathon road trip. The trek was aregional necessity. In fact, to meet its nearest region competitor, Grand isfaced with a minimum 80-mile bus ride.
But the Red Devilsaren't alone.
For many teams locatedin Utah's outback, three-plus-hour bus trips are just part of the game.
The UHSAA realignmentof regions in recent years has helped to alleviate - but not eliminate - theimpact of lengthy travel for teams like Grand. Before those adjustments, Grandwas placed in the same region as northern schools South Summit, Grantsville andMorgan - an arrangement that Grand Principal Steve Hren successfully fought offin the most recent realignment.
"There was talkof putting us back with them again this year," said Hren. "It's abattle we've been fighting for years. Usually, any consideration for our timehas fallen on deaf ears."
But for many smallerschools, extensive travel can be more than just a weekend time commitment.
Costly journey
As 80 players boardedthe bus on Friday morning, an assistant coach asked each player an importantquestion.
"What'd you eatfor breakfast?" he asked. "I want to know what I'm in for here."
Yes, it was crowded; morecrowded than usual.
"Normally, we'dhave two buses, but the other one went to the volleyball team," saidWells. "So we're going to do with one. The cheerleaders were supposed to come,but there is just no room."
Under thisarrangement, the Red Devils' entire traveling squad - the varsity and JV teams,and all the equipment that goes with them - became one happy family. It was sofull, two Grand assistant coaches packed up their SUVs to follow the school busto Kamas, using their own gas money.
"A lot of times,the cost of these trips is offset by virtue of the coaches themselves,"said Wells. "They do it just because they want these kids to play."
Said Hren: "It'sa huge expense for our school district. [The UHSAA] doesn't really look at whatwe have to deal with."
According to GrandSchool District transportation supervisor Verna Butler, a road trip similar tothe one Grand took to South Summit will cost the district about $3 per mile - afigure based on last year's gas prices.
"It's a hugefinancial strain," said Butler. "I don't know how we keep doing it. Ikeep screaming when it comes to trips like this."
It's hard on familiesand friends, too.
But the parents stillshow up - and so do the girlfriends. Oceanna Irish and Shae Guerrero both madethe 478-mile round trip north to Kamas to support their boyfriends.
"I'm acheerleader, so I should have been here anyway," said Guerrero. "Buteither way, I wouldn't have missed it. He's only going to play high schoolfootball once."
Safety a concern
As bus driver PattyJones stretched out during a bathroom break in Wellington on the way to SouthSummit, she patted the back of her bus seat.
"You know, thisseat is pretty nice," she said. "It definitely helps on long tripslike this. But I don't think anyone ever gets used to it."
Before the bus leftMoab, Jones made sure the Red Devils knew the drill.
"If I tell you toget off the bus for any emergency, just do it," she said. "Don't askquestions. Just do what you're told."
According to Hren, theGrand principal, driver fatigue and inclement weather are always a concern forparents and the administration.
"There have beentimes when we've been stranded. Other buses have broken down or hit animals onthe way," he said "It's especially a challenge during the winter.Sometimes it's better to just cancel."
Wells agreed.
"Sometimes it'sjust too hard to drive the canyons in the winter," he said."Sometimes it's just not worth the risk."
Quiet ride home
The Grand High Schoolbus is usually full of boisterous laughter after a Red Devils' victory. Butthis wasn't one of those nights. Grand fell 20-0 to South Summit.
Following the defeat,the Red Devils grabbed a quick concession stand meal at the stadium. On theride home, the city lights of the Wasatch Front quickly gave way to thedarkness of Spanish Fork Canyon and the whirring of the bus wheels replaced thepostgame chatter.
But coach Wells stillhad a few things to say.
"You know, weplayed well," he said. "We struggled with some injuries, but I'mproud of the guys."
A handful of playersstayed behind with their parents in Salt Lake City to watch former teammateZane Taylor play for the University of Utah against UNLV on Saturday. Othersplanned to take on still another long drive by returning to Moab with the team- then heading back to Salt Lake to watch the Utes.
"That's just thekind of mentality these kids grew up with," said Wells. "If somethingmatters to them, distance really isn't that much of an issue."
As the bus made itsfinal 3 a.m. approach into Moab, players bustled to get their belongingstogether and clean up the bus. Despite the 18-hour venture and a draining loss,Grand's football team was once again wide awake - and not quite ready to callit a night.
"Dude, let's goto Denny's," said one player as he stepped off the bus.
"Sounds good, man," his friendanswered. "I'm not even tired."
September 9, 2008
Prep football: Road toKamas
By Jennifer Gustavson
EASTERN UTAH - Midwaythrough the five-hour bus ride from Moab to Kamas on Friday, players on theGrand County football team found ways to keep themselves entertained.
Some listened toiPods. Others text messaged friends, girlfriends and family. Coach Dennis Wellsreviewed the playbook. A 5-pound bag of gummy worms made the rounds through thecrammed-to-capacity bus - with the linemen grabbing more than a handful. Afreshman sitting on the front row tried to nap but was interrupted by acontinuous stream of candy wrappers intended for the garbage can sitting at hisfeet.
In every way, it wasjust another game day for a team well-acquainted with long road trips.
Until a resoundinggroan turned every head toward the center of the bus.
"He just pulledthat piece of licorice down his nose and through his mouth," said oneplayer as the culprit proudly displayed the string of candy to his teammates.
"That'sawesome!"
Wells just shakes hishead.
"After collegeball, I told myself I'd never be on a bus again," said the Grand alum andformer Southern Utah University player. "Now I've found myself living onthis thing. I've jinxed myself, I guess."
Long weekends
As the coach of a teamlocated in a rural area of Utah, Wells has had to come to terms with weekendsspent on the road.
While Wells said hisplayers and coaches are both willing and accustomed to the travel, he says itcan take its toll.
"You've got tohave a pretty understanding wife," he said.
For its game againstSouth Summit, Grand packed 80 players into one school bus for what Wells saidwould be "one of the best matchups in 2A."
But the intensecompetition wasn't the reason for Grand's marathon road trip. The trek was aregional necessity. In fact, to meet its nearest region competitor, Grand isfaced with a minimum 80-mile bus ride.
But the Red Devilsaren't alone.
For many teams locatedin Utah's outback, three-plus-hour bus trips are just part of the game.
The UHSAA realignmentof regions in recent years has helped to alleviate - but not eliminate - theimpact of lengthy travel for teams like Grand. Before those adjustments, Grandwas placed in the same region as northern schools South Summit, Grantsville andMorgan - an arrangement that Grand Principal Steve Hren successfully fought offin the most recent realignment.
"There was talkof putting us back with them again this year," said Hren. "It's abattle we've been fighting for years. Usually, any consideration for our timehas fallen on deaf ears."
But for many smallerschools, extensive travel can be more than just a weekend time commitment.
Costly journey
As 80 players boardedthe bus on Friday morning, an assistant coach asked each player an importantquestion.
"What'd you eatfor breakfast?" he asked. "I want to know what I'm in for here."
Yes, it was crowded; morecrowded than usual.
"Normally, we'dhave two buses, but the other one went to the volleyball team," saidWells. "So we're going to do with one. The cheerleaders were supposed to come,but there is just no room."
Under thisarrangement, the Red Devils' entire traveling squad - the varsity and JV teams,and all the equipment that goes with them - became one happy family. It was sofull, two Grand assistant coaches packed up their SUVs to follow the school busto Kamas, using their own gas money.
"A lot of times,the cost of these trips is offset by virtue of the coaches themselves,"said Wells. "They do it just because they want these kids to play."
Said Hren: "It'sa huge expense for our school district. [The UHSAA] doesn't really look at whatwe have to deal with."
According to GrandSchool District transportation supervisor Verna Butler, a road trip similar tothe one Grand took to South Summit will cost the district about $3 per mile - afigure based on last year's gas prices.
"It's a hugefinancial strain," said Butler. "I don't know how we keep doing it. Ikeep screaming when it comes to trips like this."
It's hard on familiesand friends, too.
But the parents stillshow up - and so do the girlfriends. Oceanna Irish and Shae Guerrero both madethe 478-mile round trip north to Kamas to support their boyfriends.
"I'm acheerleader, so I should have been here anyway," said Guerrero. "Buteither way, I wouldn't have missed it. He's only going to play high schoolfootball once."
Safety a concern
As bus driver PattyJones stretched out during a bathroom break in Wellington on the way to SouthSummit, she patted the back of her bus seat.
"You know, thisseat is pretty nice," she said. "It definitely helps on long tripslike this. But I don't think anyone ever gets used to it."
Before the bus leftMoab, Jones made sure the Red Devils knew the drill.
"If I tell you toget off the bus for any emergency, just do it," she said. "Don't askquestions. Just do what you're told."
According to Hren, theGrand principal, driver fatigue and inclement weather are always a concern forparents and the administration.
"There have beentimes when we've been stranded. Other buses have broken down or hit animals onthe way," he said "It's especially a challenge during the winter.Sometimes it's better to just cancel."
Wells agreed.
"Sometimes it'sjust too hard to drive the canyons in the winter," he said."Sometimes it's just not worth the risk."
Quiet ride home
The Grand High Schoolbus is usually full of boisterous laughter after a Red Devils' victory. Butthis wasn't one of those nights. Grand fell 20-0 to South Summit.
Following the defeat,the Red Devils grabbed a quick concession stand meal at the stadium. On theride home, the city lights of the Wasatch Front quickly gave way to thedarkness of Spanish Fork Canyon and the whirring of the bus wheels replaced thepostgame chatter.
But coach Wells stillhad a few things to say.
"You know, weplayed well," he said. "We struggled with some injuries, but I'mproud of the guys."
A handful of playersstayed behind with their parents in Salt Lake City to watch former teammateZane Taylor play for the University of Utah against UNLV on Saturday. Othersplanned to take on still another long drive by returning to Moab with the team- then heading back to Salt Lake to watch the Utes.
"That's just thekind of mentality these kids grew up with," said Wells. "If somethingmatters to them, distance really isn't that much of an issue."
As the bus made itsfinal 3 a.m. approach into Moab, players bustled to get their belongingstogether and clean up the bus. Despite the 18-hour venture and a draining loss,Grand's football team was once again wide awake - and not quite ready to callit a night.
"Dude, let's goto Denny's," said one player as he stepped off the bus.
"Sounds good, man," his friendanswered. "I'm not even tired."
