Story Written By: Damon Cook @ CHSAANow.com
AURORA, Colo. — Wray High School is off to an undefeated 4-0 start headed by coach Levi Kramer. Kramer has been the long-time coach for the Eagles and has them ready for conference play.
Through those four games, Wray has scored 168 points, while allowing just 35. After a tough 28-27 loss in the 1A state semifinals a year ago, the veterans that the Eagles have returned could spark a different outcome this year.
Levi Kramer
Overall Record at Wray: 118-67
Overall Record as a Head Coach: 118-67
Previous Coaching Experience: Running backs coach and quarterbacks coach at Kansas Wesleyan (two years), tight ends coach and wide receiver coach at Fort Hays State University (two years), quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Wray High School (four years), head coach at Wray (2006-present).
What has allowed you guys to get off to a 4-0 start?
I really think it's the experience that we're bringing back. We basically had two seniors last year, and one of them got hurt in Week 2. So we really lost one starter from last year's playoff run. Casey Midcap, our quarterback, is a four-year starter and middle linebacker, and our running back is a three-year starter. So we just have a ton of experience.
What has been special about coaching your hometown football team?
I think one of the things I'm most proud of is I played for coach Neal Rusher, who coached here for 27 years. We've been able to keep that tradition going. This is my 19th year as the head coach, which means that over the last 46 years, Wray has had just two head coaches, with those coaches coming from the same tree. I'm really proud of that and being able to help continue Coach Rusher's legacy.
Having coached at both the collegiate and high school level, why choose the high school level?
Well, I'm not in the classroom anymore, but you get to see the students on a daily level, and it's not just a sports thing. You get to know all their families, you get to know what they're interested in academically, what's their life goal, and how does football help that? You learn how our core values help shape these young men into being successful in whatever they want to do after high school.
What is your approach to help shape the athletes you coach into better people?
We talk about how everything's bigger than just you, and we always talk about family and how, when you're a part of a family, everything's bigger than you. When you become a father, it's not just about you. People don't serve you, you serve them, and that starts with what we do. Just within the program, our seniors are the last ones to eat, they're the ones that pick up after everybody, they take care of everybody. The freshmen are their little brothers. It's just that whole idea that everything's bigger than you and you're a servant, and when you graduate, you get married, you have kids, that's what it is. You're serving your family. I think it just helps put things together.
What has been your favorite moment from this season so far?
Well, there's been a bunch. Obviously, the Scott City win was big. That's a huge win for us, but I think it's really just different people stepping up throughout all four games. Obviously, we had a bunch step up in Scott City. We lost Casey Midcap, our starting quarterback, we lost our starting safety, and people stepped up and they got the job done. There's been an example of that every week, it's just the next guy up, it's your turn, it's your opportunity. I think this team, in particular, has just really relished those opportunities and taken advantage of them as a team.
What have your students taught you through the years?
To relax, honestly, when I first started, I was pretty high-strung. But over the years I've learned to relax some. The players will say, 'Coach, we've got to relax, we're okay,' and just talking things through. It's awesome how much they can teach you, and how much you can take away from them. Like I said, we have a bunch of experienced kids this year. It's just great to have them on board when we're watching film and saying, 'hey coach, we're watching this last night on film, can we attack this kid this way?' And we're starting to have more mature football conversations, which is great too.
What excites you about the remainder of this season?
We're starting the North Central swing. Our conference is just tough. Every single game you play in our conference is an opponent that can beat you, and it's going to be extremely physical. Now, I know it's the old adage, but it's literally focusing on this week. We cannot think about anything further ahead. We've got to create a great game plan, and implement that great game plan, and then execute it every single week. That's the challenge. It seems like every one of our league games is like a rivalry. It's hard to get everybody to stay focused, but we're confident we can.
Is there anything else people should know about you?
Whether it be in Wray, or we're traveling, our fans are awesome, and it's been so rewarding to serve this community as the head football coach at Wray. To be able to put kids out there that are playing so hard, it's extremely rewarding for a hometown boy.
