The Smyer Bobcats football team wrapped up their season earlier this month, finishing 1-9 overall and 0-5 in district play.
While the Bobcats improved from a winless 2024, they could’ve done even better, which Head Coach Scott Funke echoed while giving his overall thoughts on the season.
“We had a couple of key injuries, which is tough at a small school with less numbers than other district opponents. That led to some unforeseen challenges this season,” Coach Funke said. “I thought the guys showed a high level of mental resilience while continuing to compete in every game. Hopefully that experience helps anchor in the characteristics that they have seemingly already taken to heart, to the rest of their lives.”
Even short-handed, the Bobcats gave it their all this season, and it showed in the team statistics.
Offensively, Smyer had 1,271 passing yards, 523 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns. Defensively, they recorded 58 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
The Bobcats best defender this season was junior Xyler Rumsey, who led the team in total tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. Rumsey had 92 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries overall.
Senior Tango Pastusek also had a great defensive season, recording 64 total tackles with 44 of those being solo tackles, along with 11 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
And rounding out the defensive standouts was junior James Rampy, who had 76 total tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.
On the offensive side, senior quarterback Skyler Pond was the Bobcats leading passer with 1,180 passing yards, six passing touchdowns and 15 interceptions, completing 59% of his passes. Pond also had two rushing touchdowns and 98 rushing yards this season.
Senior wide receiver Ryann Gutierrez led Smyer in receiving with 52 receptions for 683 yards and five touch downs.
Senior running back Max Benevedes led the team in rushing with 195 yards on 64 carries, also finding the end zone twice, while junior Mason Medart had the most rushing touchdowns with three.
While the season might not look great by its record, these players should still be proud of the great statistical efforts they put in. Congratulations to the Bobcats on the conclusion of a gritty season.
Now they say goodbye to a senior class of nine, whom Coach Funke had a message for.
“I appreciate the efforts from the seniors and the continued growth in maturity that they displayed over the last number of years,” Coach Funke said. “We have had a handful of these athletes since Junior High, and it has been awesome to see how they have improved as people. It takes a community of individuals to help young people grow the way they have, and I hope they can bear witness to this experience and continue in their lives to pay it forward.”
Good luck to the Smyer football seniors of Ryann Gutierrez, Caleb Pearce, Tango Pastusek, Chase Chapparo, Wes Tevis, Sebastian Rodriguez, Max Benevedes, Skyler Pond and Hagan Cooper, not only in the rest of the school year, but in whatever the future holds.