The score – 43-42 with 16 seconds left on the clock, Justin Northwest Texans set up a 20 yard field goal to bring them in the lead. Snap was right, Dre sent pressure from the right side, their kicker steps up to the ball, he whiffs it and the ball gets pushed out of bounds at the two yard line. Broncos ball.

As a late touchdown by Jake Jenkins to Hunter Maxwell took place right with around six minutes on the clock, the defense and I had to step up and win this game. After each time we would bring them to a third down the Texans would somehow convert, either through a penalty or a chunk play. As they slowly approached our territory of the field we held them to third down with two yards to go. It’s a run outside, as I read the offense it’s almost like time slowed down, I shed the block of a receiver and prepared to come down hill with no intentions of slowing down. I drop my shoulder along with my head and collide with their running back to make it fourth down and two. The crowd erupted, screaming with the loud music radiating out of their stadium. I could almost feel each sideline pray for 2 or a stop. This was our chance to seal away the game, the ball was snapped, I scraped around the tight end and wrapped up the running behind the line. I start celebrating in my head at the bottom of the pile that we had just turned the ball over, then I see the ref with his arm forward. What? His knee and butt was down an entire yard before the first down, but the ref thought he saw otherwise. We flushed it and moved on to the next play.

First and goal, two yards away from the endzone. With acrobatic tackles from our defensive end Courtney Richardson, to downhill stops from our middle linebacker Carson Cox. We just experienced one of the greatest goal line stands I had ever been a part of. I came off the field as they lined up in field goal formation. Everyone was quiet, I could see the desperation on the opposing sideline and felt the anticipation of the crowd. The kick was set, no good. The Broncos pulled off one of, if not, the greatest win in recent years to start off the season. This opener not only brought hope but it brought confidence for the rest of our season.

After fighting a 17 play drive, watching Jake kneel the ball to run the clock out reminded me why I watch film, train, work and dedicate so much of my time in this sport. This game was the adrenaline in my veins, the passion and exhilarating feelings that I get are unforgettable and hold countless amounts of value.