Story Written By: Damon Cook @ CHSAANow.com
AURORA, Colo. — Basalt football is off to an undefeated 6-0 start under coach Carl Frerichs. With seeding a big deal in the state tournament, Frerichs wants to ensure that the zero in the loss column remains.
The Longhorns returned two 1,000 yard rushers, something that has helped their incredible offensive output. Basalt is averaging 36 points per game, showing dominance each week. The Longhorns' thinnest margin of victory this season has been 16 points.
Carl Frerichs
Previous Coaching Experience: Lincoln Junior High tackle football (three years), Basalt tackle football assistant (five years), Basalt tackle football head coach (17 years)
Overall record as a CHSAA Head Coach: 96-66
Overall record at Mancas High School: 96-66
How did you get into coaching football?
I've always loved sports, and I probably knew when I was in middle school that I wanted to be a PE teacher and a coach. So pretty much my whole life, I knew I wanted to coach.
I think it really comes down to… I love being a part of a team. So whether it was playing sports or now as a coach, that whole team aspect is what I enjoy, and being a part of.
What kind of culture do you feel like you've been able to build?
I tell my kids all the time, I was not the most amazing high school athlete by any stretch, but I played at a high school where my football and basketball coaches were very successful; they're two of the best to probably ever do it in our state. So I think just having that experience to be able to play in those programs, to know what that looks like and feels like, I think that's probably been one of my biggest assets to Basalt football.
What has been the biggest lesson you've learned as a coach?
The discipline, whether it's me or them. I think if you want to be successful at anything, you have to be extremely disciplined. I always tell my kids to take care of their fifth quarter. So I would say, whether that's for me or them - I think it's a mutual thing - we're all learning to become the best versions of ourselves.
What do you think about this season has really been working for you guys?
I know I sometimes sound like a broken record with this, but my kids put so much into this sport, whether it's weight room, practice, spring football or 7-v-7s. My kids do everything I ask of them, and I think it really shows on Friday nights.
I think when you start having some success, that drive really carries over year-after-year for all of the kids. And I think that's made a big difference for us, as well.
What has stood out to you in your 6-0 start?
I would say one of our strengths is discipline. Our kids know their assignments, and they play to the best of their abilities. So, I think discipline is one of our biggest things.
I also have a very talented backfield where both rushers are returning; they were each 1,000-yard rushers last year. So I think when you're disciplined and you have some amazing players, when you put that formula together, it really shows.
Where did you guys travel to and what did you get out of that?
We do a spring football camp every year at our high school and we host four or five local high schools. So we started our summer off with that, and then we went down to the Denver Broncos' 7-v-7 for the first time ever. I think it was good for our kids to see a wide range of classifications and other players.
How cool was it to go out and see the Broncos 7-v-7 tournament? Did you have any starstruck kids out there?
They had a blast. I wish we were closer and it wasn't so hard for us to get down there, but it was really cool. And honestly, I think it really showed some of them how much talent we have on this roster.
What is one thing you want to see out of your football team for the rest of the season?
To be honest, I think your seed really does make a difference in the playoffs. So I think taking care of business with the regular season and getting the best seed possible is important. It's about giving ourselves the best opportunity to really make a run in this tournament.
Is there a specific theme or focus for this year?
No matter what the week is, we don't really change what our thing will be. My thing with these kids is the fifth quarter, because more important than football or anything else is them taking care of their school work and being the right people outside of school. So, if we picked a theme, it would be our fifth quarter. But, that wouldn't change if we hadn't won a game, or if we won all our games, because to me, that's more important than anything else.
What else should people know about Basalt football?
I've been doing this for 22 years, and the kids and community are special. I started my career here, and I'll end my career here. I'm here because of the kids and community. It's just a very, very special place to be able to teach and coach.
I also have an absolutely amazing staff. I'm very lucky to be here all the time. Most of my staff has been with me for at least 10 years, if not the whole 22 years. You could really label any of us as the head coach, that's how close we are and how we work as a staff. I think it really shows when you've been together that long and we all do our parts.
