The start of the 2006 Football season was full of apprehension and excitement as we were unexpectedly moved from the division we played in for many years to a very difficult Denver league.  We took on the challenge expecting a great year of football.  Little did we know that the highlight of our year would be to take part in the healing from a tragic day at Platte Canyon High School.  Below are two letters, one from the Athletic Director from PCHS and the other from a Park County Sheriff Detective. 

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Dear Andy,

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you did for Platte Canyon this past month. I knew when I spoke to you the first time that PC would get unshakeable cooperation from you and the CSCS football team. What I asked for was no easy request and your spontaneous willingness to accommodate was admirable.

CSCS demonstrated what the bond between Colorado high schools is and should always be. The football game on October 3 was the epitome of high school athletics. Your administration, football staff and players are a class act. I was incredibly impressed.

I hope someday I get the opportunity to return your kindness.

Sincerely,

Jim Owsiany
Athletic Director, Platte Canyon High School

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Dear CSCS Lions,

I wanted to thank your school on behalf of the Park County Sheriff s Office for your support and encouragement during the football game with the Huskies on October 03, 2006. I attended Evangelical Christian Academy there in Colorado Springs from preschool through graduation in 1993, and my brother, Von Morgan, graduated from CSCS in 1991 (I think). He now works for Focus on the Family. When I heard that the Huskies first home game after the tragic school shooting on September 27, 2006 was against the Lions, I was very grateful, for I knew the Lions would go above and beyond to set a Christian example and to display a Christ-like attitude.

I was part of the entry team that went into room 206 on September 27, 2006 when Emily Keyes was brutally murdered. I can't begin to describe the hurt I and many other officers have endured through this tragedy. Lt. Hancock was also present that terrible day, and he knew Emily personally. He was absolutely devastated. Lt. Hancock is also an assistant coach for the Huskies, and coaching the Huskies is one of his passions. I can tell you that Lt. Hancock, the entire coaching staff, and the entire community of Bailey was deeply touched by the graciousness and support of the CSCS Lions.

Having grown-up playing sports at a Christian school, I know that setting an example on the field is important. I saw your helmets with those beautiful gold crosses. That powerful symbol leaves no doubt as to whom you, as a team and as a school, represent: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That simple cross and the bold word "Christian" emblazoned proudly across the front of your jerseys tells the world that you stand for Christ. There are certain expectations from the world when they see that you are Christians and when they see that symbol of the cross. Stand proud, Lions, for you lived up to those expectations in your game against the Huskies. The love and honor your school showed to Emily, her family, and our community served as a clear and powerful testimony for Jesus Christ. You do not just talk the talk, but you also walk the walk, standing behind that cross on your helmets, presenting a witness to this dark world. The Light of Christ was with you, and you sent a message to a community in mourning.

Thank-you CSCS Lions for your witness. You are a credit to your school and faith. God bless you all.

Love,

Dean Morgan, Detective Corporal

God's Glory at Telluride (October 2007)

By Richard Terzian

 One cold October afternoon, at an altitude where God's Majesty is eminent, in the beauty of snow-covered peaks and hand-painted trees, a small group of courageous, young men traveled endlessly to Telluride to what they thought was an ordinary soccer playoff. Whether the 6 hours of travel, motel lost sleep or stop-in food, they all retained a certain amount of fear and apprehension. The coaches' wisdom, the parents' support, and the camaraderie all lifted the team to a level never felt before.

Upon arrival, the huge peak overshadowed the town and valley, but it was minuet compared to the vicious crowd that awaited you. It had never, until just then, occurred to anyone that this would be a battlefield between God and Satan. The soccer challenge was incidental compared to what was to come. (Scriptures on persecution: Matthew 5:10-11 and Romans 12:14-21).

Overwhelming and thrashing, the Telluride fans started their attack from the very first whistle. I had never seen such persecution or heard such anger toward Christians. Disbelieving what I heard, I walked into the middle of the Telluride crowd and stopped to listen: "Christians suck" and "Hell is yours," they said. I nearly fell to my knees. Further on "Satan is in back of you, watch out". One player said to our player, "you're such a little Christian girl." Satan was at work deep in the hearts of the CSCS Lions, and he was very, very effective. The sideline being close, I'm sure you, as a team, heard a lot. But, with integrity and God's Glory, you stood tall and unbending and glorified God without responding or addressing or engaging the crowd. I'm sure many people in their stands are curiously considering Christianity today. It was an exhibition of loyalty to God and a victory, to say the least.

How much more could the Lions take? The persecution was demoralizing; but only a tiny bit, but significant piece of what humiliation our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and endured for our SALVATION. Tempers ran thin, but God knew exactly when to give Satan his well deserved black eye. Eric Goldberg would be the conduit whom God would use. At that moment, Eric, with God on his shoulders, skillfully lasered the ball over the goalie's head and into the net, breaking Telluride's back and only to bring the fans to a quiet stupor. It was over at that moment.Eric had no idea that God would use him that day, in that way to defeat the true enemy on the field...not the soccer players, but the cunning enemy, the designer of all evil himself. The Lord skillfully worked through all of you to create a true spectacle of His everlasting love for those who chose to follow Him and obey. The true miracle at Telluride was not the 3-1 victory, but our Lord exposing Himself to us as the true Counselor and Teacher. We have stressed to you from the onset that soccer is a vehicle for you to glorify God; not yourselves, a victory for yourself is an empty win. Now, without a doubt, you have witnessed and shown true to God's purpose for you and forever you will recall the God revealing Himself at Telluride. God's strength had shown through you; and your witness and testimony to Him alone is the only thing that you left on that field. May God's grace continue to bless each and every one of you through the finals, and someday may you testify to your children how God used you, and how our Lord always prevails. Your victory on the field became a victory for God which will be an everlasting memory for each and every one of you for generations to come.

NOT TO US, BUT ......TO GOD BE THE GLORY!