December 7th 2024.
Mead linebacker Josh Gonsalves was in the midst of an intense game on Saturday morning as he felt his hamstring "snap" during the third quarter of the Class 3A title game. Despite the pain, he pushed through and stayed in for a few more plays as his team, the Mavericks, fought back from a two-score deficit. However, Gonsalves knew that he was not performing at his best and made the tough decision to take himself out of the game.
"I was playing too slow," the junior explained while leaning on his crutches after the Mavericks' 16-14 loss to Thompson Valley. "So, I needed to do what's best for the team."
This selfless mentality is something that Mead coach Jason Klatt has instilled in his team, who made their second appearance in the title game in just four seasons. And it was this team-first attitude that the Mavericks relied on throughout the final day of high school football, where they had a chance to win in the final minute before ultimately falling short on a fourth-down incompletion.
Klatt was proud of Gonsalves for trying to push through his injury and praised his dedication to the team. He also noted that this selfless mindset is a defining characteristic of the 2024 Mead Mavericks.
But it wasn't just Gonsalves who exemplified this attitude. The Mavericks' defense also showed their selflessness on the field, as they had been doing all season. Mead and Thompson Valley were known for their strong defenses, allowing only six and ten points per game, respectively. And it was no surprise that they were the main focus of the game in Fort Collins.
Thompson Valley scored a touchdown and a field goal on their first two possessions, but Mead's defense stepped up and shut them out for the rest of the game. The only other score the Eagles managed was a pick-six in the second quarter. The Mavericks' defense also forced two turnovers before halftime, which led to points for their team.
In the final minutes of the game, quarterback Christian Hiner brought the Mavericks within two points, 16-14. Mead's defense then gave the offense one final chance to take the lead when Charles Baker intercepted the ball for the second time that day and the third time all season.
Although they were unable to secure the win, the Mavericks left the field with their heads held high. As Baker explained, their mentality was "11-on-11 or 11-on-1" - it was about the whole team working together, not just one player. This sentiment was echoed by the entire team, who played as a cohesive unit throughout the season.
The 2024 Mead Mavericks may not have come out on top in the Class 3A title game, but they showed what it means to be a true team. And with players like Gonsalves and Baker leading the way, the future looks bright for this special team.
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