Little Grizz future so bright we all need shades

The Little Grizz finished the 2026 football season undefeated and unscored upon, posting a 6-0 record.

The fifth-grade Cowley Recreation team’s shutout season came as the high school football team also remained undefeated.

A later-than-usual start allowed 16 players to join the team, coach Brandon May said. He described the turnout as “a pretty decent number for us at the nine-man level.”

Assistant coach Ty Hecker led the defense and emphasized physical play, May said.

“Once we held Greybull to zero points in the first game, it kind of became the mindset of the defense that no one was going to score on them, and it held true.”

May credited fellow coaches Hecker and Johannes Slabbert, along with Thomas Bridges and Clayton Bagwell, who led the third- and fourth-grade team.

May said the coaches agreed on their approach and spent the first two weeks focusing on tackling, using dummies to teach proper form and how to finish tackles. They also emphasized physical play and overcoming hesitation that often sneaks up in this age group. 

May attributed the team’s success largely to the commitment of players and parents. The team practiced four days a week, often into the dark to accommodate coaches’ work schedules. Only about two practices lacked full attendance, usually with just one player absent, he said.

On offense, May said the running backs produced both long gains and tough inside runs, finding openings and reading blocks. The quarterback stretched the field with deep passes and connected on shorter out routes, while receivers and tight ends ran their routes and caught passes when called upon.

May singled out offensive linemen Joe Petrich, Kyle Pierce, Wyatt Anderson, Zach Bracamontes and Tux Mills for their unselfish play and hard work.

“Most kids aren’t too excited about playing on the offensive line, but these five did it unselfishly, and they did a great job,” May said.

The team used pulling guards and trap blocking, which May said made the position more fun and expanded the playbook. He credited Petrich with leading the group through his daily work ethic and effort rather than words.

May said the most fulfilling part of the season was seeing every player improve and gain confidence, regardless of skill level. Many played their best games late in the season.

“As coaches, we are extremely proud of what they accomplished as a team, and we hope they had a lot of fun doing it,” he said.

May said he looks forward to watching the players advance to middle school and high school. With this fifth-grade group, the players ahead of them and the third and fourth graders behind them, he said Rocky Mountain football’s future is in good hands.