SACRAMENTO, Calif. — While most people will be enjoying thanksgiving weekend with their families and feasting on leftovers, the American River College (ARC) football team will be making a run in the playoffs and looking to feast on a state championship.
"We're just really excited to be in playoff football and be one of eight in the state of California to compete for a state championship," said head coach Jon Osterhout.
Even Mother Nature couldn't keep the ARC Beavers from pursuing their goals as cold November rain poured down during practice.
"I'm beyond excited, all the work and preparation that we've been putting in," said freshman defensive back Desmin Hatfield-Rushton. "It all comes down to this. It's just going to be unleashed on the field. Coach O, we're going to make him proud."
Coach Osterhout has been the head football coach at ARC for 10 seasons, and in that time, he's been able to implement a winning culture.
"When you have a staff that has a common goal and interest in putting that player first and foremost and helping them evolve and develop in areas we talk about like academically, socially, spiritually, physically and athletically, the end result takes care of itself," said Coach Osterhout.
The team is composed of mostly players from the Sac-Joaquin section, and they've all been able to form a tight bond.
"I don't know if I've ever been on team that's connected like this," said sophomore quarterback Kenny Lueth. "We're a family. We're gonna fight like we're a family sometimes and we're going to get into arguments, but they're always resolved by the next day. We don't let stuff linger, and we move on. I think that's why we're so good."
"I think it comes down to 'NPH,' Nobody Prepares Harder," said Hartfield-Rushton. "We have a trust within each other that we can go out there and have each others back no matter what."
They will rely on that trust as they prepare for the Northern California Football Conference semifinals.
"We're excited to be here in playoff football again in American River College," said Coach Osterhout. "It's a staple in our program, and we're going to do everything in our power to get a win Thanksgiving weekend."
ARC will host City College of San Francisco this Saturday in the semifinals. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
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